[Trolltaxi]

That total 20% benefit on a weapon that you focus is no more than a bait for players coming from other MMO-genres.

The benefits will equal in a vet vs vet situation. A vet will overcome a noob 99% of the time without even the benefits. And the noob won't even understand how he dies so fast. So they don't really matter. And think about implants, they do give you significant advantage (Pshield or audio amp for ex.).

That 20% top benefit is just an illusion so players have a false illusion of improvement (by weapon stats). In other words, "The cake is a lie.".

And if you really are a PS1 vet, you know that 1 vs 1 won't matter that much. It is always about the group you are playing with. And no matter how good you are at shooting, you will be beaten when a stronger group arrives.

Your squad's, outfit's, empire's progress will depend on supporters, tactical and strategical leaders - if you focus on shooting things with a badass weapon, you will probably lack skills in leading, so no matter how good you shoot, you still won't be able to issue orders, and you will be the one whom THEY tell where to go.

Killwhores win firefights, but AMS-s win the war.