Can we talk about the Drills?
I really hope that GS is going to consider to look at how the drills work. Currently the drills feel really sluggish to use.
If you select them you need to reclick the M1 button. Holding the M1 will not start the drills and since I usally use the flamer I end on being used to holding the Fire button. Yet the drills stand still. You have to realse and press again. Often leaving me wondering why I'm not drilling when fast switchen weapons.
Also the terrrain targeting needs some adjustment. Sometimes the drills will drill anything but the stone I'm aiming at. Plants. Maggots. Plants on the other side of a thin wall. Everything that gets in the way of them. Or they would need to get an increase at drilling plants and stuff. Sometimes even stuff that you are not looking at directly
I often end up getting murdered by butt chompers because I can't drill away from enemys. Since the driller is imho the least mobile class I often rely on drills to get out of the way but it reallly get's infuriating when you drill and drill and make no progress.
Any thoughts? and sorry for my english.
Posted Mar 26, 2020, 1:45 PM UTC
I disagree with the significance of your complaint regarding the M1 button release issue. I feel like that is just poor play on your part, but I will admit I'm not often hot-swapping to the drills in the heat of combat. Unless you've specifically built your Driller to be a close combat melee focused Terminator you're wasting precious fuel by using the drills in a fight and the reason why is my second point.
I disagree with your belief that the Driller is the least mobile class. He is straight up the second most mobile dwarf in the game. Engie and Gunner don't even come close. Remember the ABCs: ALWAYS BE CONSTANTLY drilling! A good Driller is forever making short cut tunnels and staircases up and down tricky cave walls. Obstacle? More like a granite smoothie! As a Driller the Nayaka Trawler is your spirit animal.
The one thing you do have correct is the target priority problem with the drills. They prioritize enemies, friendly dwarfs, and M.O.L.L.E first; plants second; and Rock and Stone third. This, as any good dwarf knows, is sacrilegious. Rock and Stone should always come first!
Part of your problem here, I believe anyway, is that you're trying to use the drills to escape and this is not a good idea. The drills are not a replacement grappling hook. The best way to use the drills if you are in danger of being overrun and swarmed under is actually, despite what I said earlier, to use the drills for combat. Drills inflict fear on enemies and will quickly chase off an aggressive mob giving you room to maneuver. This brings us back to your M1 button problem. I very strongly believe you should not be continuously firing the flamethrower. It wastes ammo. Give long enough bursts to ignite a mob and then pause to reassess, reposition, and let 'em burn! Then repeat the cycle. You don't want to rely on the DoT (damage over time) too much since it isn't very strong, but you do want to get some mileage out of it rather than constantly using up ammo. This practice also builds good habits for effective kiting and situational awareness on the high Hazard levels.
Well said, fellow Driller. Rock and Stone!