- Yes
- No (Please Explain Why)
We all know that the only semi-automatic, full-power cartridge rifles with an ammunition capacity beyond 10 in a detachable magazine are previous gold-order, battle pass, event or premium weapons. Examples include the Soviet SVT-40 15, British Farquhar-Hill M1918, Axis Gerät 03, and of course the current battle pass rifle, the Japanese captured ZH-32.
So while there are examples of these weapons that exist, and the developers have been given ample data on these weapons, there seems to be hesitation from the developers to also add these weapons to the tech tree. Let’s break down the possible reasons why these weapons may be held back from tech tree implementation:
REASON 1: HISTORICAL ACCURACY/RELEVANCE
At the very least, there are examples of weapons that saw limited service for every faction with 20 round capacities:
USSR: SVT-40 20
The SVT-40 we are all aware of, but with the same magazine used by the AVT-40 20. Aside from the addition of a fire selector switch in the trigger group in late-model SVT-40s to create the AVT-40, the SVT-40 and AVT-40 are functionally identical weapons.
Allies: Howell Automatic Rifle
The Howell Automatic Rifle was a WW1 semi-automatic conversion of the SMLE No.1 Mk.III Rifle, and was often equipped with the 20 round “trench magazine” of the Lee-Enfield. It was used in limited quantities by the British Home Guard, but didn’t see combat.
Axis: Gewehr 43 20
Limited quantities of Gewehr 43s were equipped with 20 round magazines in troop trials. These are the same magazines on the Premium Gerät 03 rifle.
Japan: Nanjing ZH-29
A copy of the ZH-29 by the Nanjing Puppet Regime, a government led by Wang Jingwei that was loyal to Japan. Like the ZH-29 and ZH-32, it was compatible with 20 round ZB-26 magazines, which were used in large quantities in China.
While these weapons aren’t as iconic as, say, a Gewehr 43 or an SVT-40, they still had historical relevance to WW2, enough to justify adding them to the tech tree in my opinion.
REASON 2: BALANCE CONCERNS
If a 20 round tech tree semi-automatic rifle exists, why use a 10 round rech tree semi-automatic rifle? Well, there should be some drawbacks to a larger magazine that make some degree of logical sense:
- a slower reload speed
- a slower ADS speed
And since 10 round semi autos are lackluster compared to other types of weapons from the same battle rating, and are eclipsed by BR 5 Select-Fire rifles, the following buffs can also be considered for existing and possible future 10 round rifles at BR 4:
- Increased damage
- maximum RoF of 380-420
So as an example, let’s say the Gewehr 43 20 was added to the Axis tech tree. Here is how the Gewehr 43 and Gewehr 43 20 could be distinguished as sidegrades, despite the difference in magazine capacity:
GEWEHR 43:
- 10 Round Magazine
- 16.8 Damage
- 420 Rounds Per Minute
- 0.8 ADS Speed
- 2.3s Reload Speed
GEWEHR 43 20:
- 20 Round Magazine
- 15.3 Damage
- 350 Rounds Per Minute
- 0.6 ADS Speed
- 3.0s Reload Speed
I think it’s clear that the upsides of the 10 round version compared to the 20 round version might be worth considering in this scenario. Especially since, in contrast with the Select-Fires at BR 5, there is far less waste per bullet with semi-automatic rifles.
CONCLUSION:
I believe that providing 20 round semi-automatic rifle options in the tech tree would not only create some potential variety of choice, but can help trend BR 4 semi-automatics into a more balanced state compared to it’s peers of the same weapon class, as well as other BR 4 weapons within the tech trees in general.
Please note: the vote isn’t necessarily for the SPECIFIC weapons and balance choices I discuss, they are merely to help demonstrate the validity of the general suggestion. If you do not agree with what I have presented in argument, but agree in the GENERAL CONCEPT of 20 round semi-automatic rifles in the tech tree at BR 4 as described in the poll title, please vote yes.
