The Type 99 was made to replace the Type 38 as Japan’s new standard rifle. It was originally produced as a long rifle but it was found to be cumbersome so the short rifle became their mass produced and primary rifle. The Type 99 we have is the ubiquitous short rifle.
The Type 99 Long rifle should be added to the Research Tree. It was Japan’s first modern service rifle going into the war, it has better range and damage than it’s Short brother and the Type 38, and it adds variety to our weapon choices
Now I know what some of you are thinking. “We already have the Type 99 Long! It was from an event!” That is true, I too have this event squad. However that is technically different. It’s a Type 99 Long with a flag. Weapon skins have already been established as separate variants. The Mosin and Kar98k snipers wrapped in winter cloth, the red PPS, all the different decorated pistols.
So there is nothing wrong adding a standard Type 99 Long Rifle to the Research Tree.
