Source
r/CruciblePlaybook•
Tkarma3

NLB/shotty VS UR/sniper

So, I'm one of those NLB user, and I'm doing fine with it (80%~ precision). Tried sidearms but my playstyle is more about shotty: I love rushing, I love being aggresive and last but not least I do have a godroll PC+1.

So yeah, at the moment, I'm playing NLB/PC+1 on my hunter (mida/shotty on my titan). I'd say I do 25% of my kills with NLB and 75% with my PC+1.

Actually, I'm pretty happy with my setup but I think I chosed the wrong combo and that UR/sniper would be better in many ways;

  • I could actually make my sniper's body shot count, I'm so tired of those 120ish body shot...
  • I would never have to worry again about my "primary" (shotgun) ammo
  • might have more agi?

So yeah, for you guys who use any of these 2 setups, I need your advises and opinion. Pros and cons

Sorry for the bad english, I'm a swiss guy speaking french ;)

Posted May 11, 2016, 7:53 AM UTC

1455
ScienceBeard•

Not that I run either but from the ways I've been killed I would think UR/snipe would be better since universal remote seems to have an edge on legendary shotguns and legendary snipers seem to have an edge on NLB.

25
[deleted]•

i second this, i believe NLB is a handicap, being able to score headshots with it speaks of the sniper's skills not the weapon itself, UR is better than all shotty except god roll PC1 and CT-D.

11
ScientificBeastMode•

Honestly, I may be the odd man out, but I find it WAY easier to get headshots with NLB than with any other sniper in the game, and I have several top tier rolls on 1kys/longbow. Usually when I'm getting out-sniped in a casual game, I'll swap to NLB just to countersnipe them, because I find I can be way more agile, and it's way more forgiving on precision shots. Granted, I use shadestep a lot between shots, so it's less of a handicap for me.

4
Tkarma3OP•

You're not odd. I'm pretty sure anyone who knows how to use NLB feels the same. Well I do. I think it's because NLB is more like a "feeling" sniper. Somtimes I don't even see the head of the ennemy, I just know it is in that big circle and boom! Headshot! Legendary snipers make me think more. I'm trying to get that little dot in the middle of their faces. I know I should play them like NLB, keep in mind that the hitbox is way more forgiveable than dot between their eyes

8
ScientificBeastMode•

Yeah, that exactly what it's like. You almost just see their position, and just swing that reticle into their (fairly large) head hitbox, and BOOM, headshot! I also find I'll get lots of headshots I probably shouldn't get while being flinched by someone's primary. I think NLB has a two intrinsic hidden perks: Hidden Hand, and Icarus. But I could be totally wrong about that.

3
Mahcus_Smaht•

What would be considered god roll PC1 and CT-D? I just got a Rangefinder + Rifled CT-D and thought that was pretty good.

1
casmith07•

Depending on the bore nodes you're good to go. Rangefinder alone makes it top tier.

1
StenboxThe Faded Bureau•

I think a godroll PC+1 is still slightly better in every aspect than UR.

7
spiderml•

I'd agree. There are edge cases where you can proc the extra precision damage and get a OHKO with UR from farther range than PC+1 but otherwise I'd take the PC any day. That said I will agree with the poster above that UR functions more effectively as a shotgun than NLB does as a sniper compared to their legendary counterparts.

3
FishDics•

Definitely

1
Ethicalzombie•

In my opinion if you use your shotgun more then Universal Remote/sniper is a great combo. I use it on my titan with juggernaut and find that I can have alot of success.

NLB/Shotgun is strong but personally I feel NLB pairs better with a fusion or sidearm.

5
theromz•

I was using NLB + shotgun last week during trials and did very well. However I think UR/Sniper might be better, NLB is very unforgiving if you miss a shot, and UR seems too have great base stats for a shotgun.

2
FullTimeWorkIsCancer•

I think NLB is a better sniper than UR is a shotty. But because of my skill level with NLB i choose UR/Sniper usually over NLB/shotty.

2
Fortislux•

It's a playstyle issue more than a weapon issue I would say.

Are you an aggressive player who often likes to push and apply pressure while pulling out your sniper to occasionally pick a guy from outside your intended range? Then go UR/Snipe.

Are you a more passive player who likes locking down sightlines or prefers positioning yourself to engage enemies from longer distances but want the ability to stave off those who get a little bit too close for comfort? Then go NLB/Shotty.

UR is an OK shotgun. NLB is an OK sniper. Neither are really the best choice for their weapon class, so it all comes down to which one you want to have ammo for more often to suit your intended style of play.

1
Tkarma3OP•

I like your analysis. I'm definetly the aggressive one. I got partners who lock down the map, I'm the one who flank, usually the first one who arrives on ennemy's first ghost .

Time to give UR a try I guess.

1
Fortislux•

Glad to /thread. Haha

1
IKnowGuacIsExtraLady•

I'd say based on your analysis you should choose the other way. If I'm engaging in close range more often I'd rather have the better shotgun, and if I'm usually fighting from a distance I'd rather have the best sniper rifle. Playing smart usually prevents you from having ammo problems unless you are playing 6v6.

1
Fortislux•

There's a point of familiarity with specific playstyles that a person is comfortable enough with their own to not even think about the mechanics of gun vs gun. At this point what's needed is follow through, which is impossible without ammo.

1
IKnowGuacIsExtraLady•

Once again, I'm going to have to take the opposite opinion here :) I feel that the more familiar you are with a specific play style, the more you notice the difference the gun makes. A god roll weapon in the hands of a brute will act similarly to a shit roll, while someone who really knows that specific weapon can utilize it in spectacular ways.

1
Fortislux•

You're missing my point. What I'm saying is that developing familiarity with a playstyle inevitably makes gun differences matter less.

Why? Because the more you know how you play the more you'll put yourself in positions to win engagements regardless of how well-rolled your opponent's weapons are.

UR isn't such a bad shotgun that you'll have to make any strenuous adjustments to playstyle just to beat someone with a better rolled shotgun. If OP knows his shit, then he'll need ammo more than he needs a better gun.

1
Sit_Down__Son•

If you prefer NLB scope and the way it works use that, if you feel yourself that the other combo might work out better try it out and use the one you get the best results with.

1
reddevilnl•

I'd go with UR/sniper just because with the right armor I can start a match with 12 sniper rounds. If I go NLB/shotgun I'm only going to spawn in with 7 shottie rounds.

1
villiansv•

PC+1 can spawn with 14, but that requires 2x +special ammo gear (i.e. Y1 ToO boots with +special and a chest with +special). CT-D will always spawn with 7.

1
reddevilnl•

I thought it was so weird that I get extra ammo for my sniper with my +special chest and +sniper boots but the same thing doesn't work for my PC+1.

It sucks that if you don't have the boots now you have no way of getting them any more.

1
villiansv•

It's all about the inventory size stat. In case you missed my thread from a couple of days ago - link

And yeah, there should be Y2 +special boots.

1
reddevilnl•

I did see your post. It was very informative and well done! It explained why I'd get 12 rounds for my 1KYS with my sniper boots but not on my PC+1 with my shotgun boots. (Using my titan with Armamentarium.)

1
ManBearPig1865•

And yeah, there should be Y2 +special boots.

And bring back primary/special reload gauntlets. Ah, the good ole days of Y1.

1
jmaguirez•

I have tried but can't really get the hang of NLB so I opt for UR/Sniper. I think UR will beat a lot of shotguns whereas NLB won't beat a lot of snipers unless you are quite skilled with it.

Last weekend I went 3x flawless with UR/Sniper only opting on occasion to swap the UR for a DoP.

1
LnD2020•

I main UR/Sniper and I do well with it. It catches people off guard sometimes since they think I don't have a shotgun because I'm sniping. My sniper is LDR with maxed range and ambush

1
StenboxThe Faded Bureau•

I think the 75/25 ratio plus bodyshots are a clear sign you should try UR/sniper out. You can actually get 2 shots off from a 1kYS incredible fast to follow the first bodyshot up with the second.

1
PS4bohonkus•

I'd also consider ammo inventory. On my Titan with TG or Arma and sniper boots I can get 12 rounds to start with my 1kys. So I prefer UR/1kys there. However, in my case I'd be trying to main the sniper and using the shotgun only when rushed or if I need to push aggressively. I'm still rubbish with the NLB though I'd like to improve because my PC+1 game is strong and I'd love it if I could use that in those cases

1
JollyGreenJeff•

I'm with OP. I've been a diehard NLB fan from the first time it was ediles on us, having many flawless runs with it. I've gotten to the point, now, where regular snipers, in the crucible, feel weird. I much rather prefer the rhythm of the NLB with a shotty. UR hasn't proven itself to be entirely consistent either.

1
theamackattack•

On my Titan I've been trying UR and Sniper versus a standard Pulse / Shotty load out and have found it quite rewarding. When I inevitably run out of sniper ammo (because I'm not that great of a sniper), I switch to sidearm and WRECK face. Somehow with that combo I always find ways to stay alive and bring enemies into my optimal kill distance versus trying to engage at mid or long range with the sniper and losing 50% of the time. UR/sidearm is a metric shit ton of fun on a Titan.

1
cartoptauntaun•

Since the april update, I feel that the biggest decision maker is what you would rather run the whole game. Special is harder to come by and you lose it on swap now.

I run NLB because I can swap it out easily if it doesn't suit the dynamic of the game. Pantheon is a great example of where this works. I typically rush to the waterfall lane and try to control with NLB. If the spawns are rotating too quickly or most of the clashing happens in the central cube area, I'll swap out for my HC or Soulstealer.

1
SmiTe1988•

UR snipe is my favourite combo lately plus UR's ads range is actually rediculous well past the OHK point, it'll still hit hard enough to finish a weak opp. If you get head shots it's OHK range is significant, and it fires faster than pc+1.

I pair it with glass promontory, I'm not the best sniper so high rate of fire is extremely useful for the 2 taps. And 12 bullets with just 2+sniper perks is highly helpful.

1
casmith07•

UR/PC+1, Bladedancer, slide and blink with both all game, get hate mail lol.

1
CaptainCams90•

I think universal remote is a better shotgun than NLB is a sniper, if that makes sense.

1
EvoDownLowWitness.•

If you really are getting that proportion of kills, go for the UR. It makes more sense with your weapon usage. The thing is a beast anyways.

Plus, if you find you're in a map or situation where a shotgun isn't viable, you can swap to a better primary and still have sniper ammo.

1