Since the First DLC is based on everything French, it helps create a very clear picture on what firearms will appear with this DLC.
so below I’m going to list the weapons I believe will appear and how they’ll operate.
With this DLC we’ll get 5 new weapons, one fore each class and maybe a new sidearm.
The weapons below are the ones that will be MOST likely to appear.
Assault Class
We’re either going to get a new SMG or a new shotgun but my moneys on the SMG.
- Ribeyrolles 1918 Automatic Carbine
Statistics
-Rate of Fire: 550-600 ( about on par with the MP-18, slower than teh Hellreigel and Automatico 1918)
-Capacity: 25 Rounds
-Cartridge: 8x35R (Intermediate Cartridge, so it’ll do more damage than normal SMG’s at close range but will drop-off after 5 meters)
-Is it Relevant to the Era?: Yes, designed in 1916 in France, and modeled in 1918. But did not see military service. Experimental.
How to balance:*
-Less accurate than the MP-18 when fired from the hip, more accurate when aiming.
-Less ammo than the MP-18(both in reserve and magazine)
-Most powerful Full-Automatic weapon for Assault,with quick damage drop off at medium-longer ranges.
-Moderate reload, at least slower than the Automatico 1918.
-Bipod, for more accurate fire, but still unsuitable for ranged engagements.
**-Clair Brothers 1898 Semi-Automatic Shotgun
*** I wanted to add the Sjrogen Shotgun since its in the game files, but I think that for later DLC
Statistics
-Rate of Fire: Semi-Automatic
-Capacity: Unknown( most likely 6+1)
-Cartridge: 16 Gauge
-Is it relevant?: Yes, designed an modeled around 1888 - 1898(my sources are conflicting)by two french dudes, but considered unsuccessful even though it can operate somewhat reliably. Experimental Weapon.
How to Balance *
–If anything, the power and reliability of this weapon, would require an update to the 12G Automatic (the weapon it most closely resembles).
-Its tough to say, this should be less powerful than the 12G Automatic but I doubt anyone would want to use it since that gun is under powered.
-I say give less damage than the 12G Automatic but a tighter pellet spread. Requiring you to be more accurate with it, and aim down the sights.
-Give it 6 Rounds, and a faster reload.
Medic Class
*New Semi-Automatic Rifle’s, both french produced.
RSC MLE 1917/1918 (Two versions of the same rifle, but the 1918 is better)
Statistics
-Rate of Fire: Semi-Automatic( should be on par with the Selb 1906, maybe quicker?)
-Capacity: 5+1
-Cartridge: 8x50mm Lebel(Damage on par with the Slebslader 1916 and the Selbslader 1906)
-Is it Relevant?: Yes, it was designed in 1917, and put into service with the French Military, Definitely a service Rifle.
*How to Balance
-It fires a powerful cartridge, so I’m thinking that if its not a two shot kill at close range, its going to carry the same damage model as the other rifles.
-It functions most similar to the Selbslader 1906, with the exception of a faster reload due to its feed mechanism and the extra bullet loaded in the chamber(5+1).
Meunier A6
Statistics
-Rate of Fire: Semi-Automatic( closer to the M1907 and the Cei-Rigotti)
-Capacity: 5,10 or 15 Round Box magazine( Like the Mondragon it must be reloaded with Stripper Clips or one round at a time)
-Cartridge: 7mm (damage on par with the Cei-Rigotti)
-Is it Relevant? Yes, Created before the war in 1914. 1000 or so were produced and fielded to soldiers. Experimental/Service??? Rifle
How to Balance*
-The Biggest appeal is the 10-15 round capacity
-Damage would be more in-line with a Cei-Rigotti, but maybe have it fire slower.
-Or make it more similar to a M1907 but with a Damage model of a Mondragon and less ammo.
*Support Class Theres only one French LMG that should be added!
M1915 CSG ChautChat**( “Sho-Sho”, get it right plebes)**
Statistics
-Rate of Fire: 240-250 Round per minute. (Slower firing, but most accurate of all the LMG’s)
-Capacity: 20 Magazine (reload should have second fastest in Support class)
-Cartridge: 8x50mm Lebel (A powerful round)
-Is It relevant?: Yes, official Service Light Machine Gun fro France and many other’s during the war.
How to Balance*
-Easy, Most powerful and most accurate Light machine gun(at the expense of a slow as hell Rate of fire)
-20 Round Magazine(with moderate reload)
-best Recoil in class
*It may look ugly, but this gun was actually pretty decent. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Scout *two Bolt-Action Rifles for scout, but each specialized in their own way.
Lebel 1886
Statistics
-Rate of Fire: Bolt-Action(on par with the Gewehr 98 based on its type of bolt action)
-Capacity: 8 Rounds( 9 but only in extreme circumstances
-Cartridge: 8x50mm Lebel(potent, heavy loaded catridge)
-Sweet Spot Distance: (60-70 Meters, more than the Enfield, less than the G98)
-Is it relevant?: Yes, One of the first of its kind and standard issue with France.
*
How To Balance
-Quick action like the Gewehr 98, but with a closer sweet spot at 60 meters(Gewehr 98 is 80 meters)
-High capacity at 8 rounds but must be hand loaded since it doesn’t accept stripper clips (and used an atrocious tube magazine)
Mle 1916 Berthier
Statistics
-Rate Of Fire: Bolt: Action (Should be balanced with the Enfield’s Speed)
-Capacity: 5 Round En Bloc Clip
-Cartridge: 8x50mm Lebel
-Sweet Spot Distance: Again, 60-70 meters for the Lebel Cartridge.
-Is it relevant?: Yes, Service Rifle for troops, rolled out late in the war by 1918.
How To balance*
-Have the bolt-action cycle like the Lee-Enfield Rifle, maybe a little faster.
-Any rounds should be dumped while reloading(like with Repeteirpistole 1914 pistol in the Support Class) and all the rounds reloaded via En Bloc Clip like the Gewehr M.95 rifle. Generally a quick reload.
----EDITforgot to add pistol’s*
Pistol’s Two pistols, a revolver or a Semi-Automatic one
Star Ruby 1914 Pistol
Statistics
-Rate Of Fire: Semi-Auto (As fast as the Pocket Hammerless, Taschenpistole 1914, Modello1915 and the Frommer Stop)
-Capacity: 9+1 Round Box Magazine
-Cartridge: .32 APC (weak round, same as Pocket Hammerless)
-Is It Relevant?: Yes, standard issue in French Military
How to Balance*
-Highest capacity of the “quick Firing Pistols” at 10 rounds(9+1 in the chamber)
-Weak damage but quick Rate of fire.
-Fast Reload, should be as quick as the Taschenpistole 1914
St’ Etienne Mle 1892 Revolver
Statistics
-Rate of Fire: Double-Action(as fast as the Bulldog for Support)
-Capacity: 6 round Cylinder(doesn’t use loading gate like most Revolvers in-game)
-Cartridge: 8x27sR (Small Catridge compared to other revolvers.)
-Is it Relevant?: Yes, used by French officers before and during WW1.
*How To Balance
-Much faster reload than most revolvers since it has a swing out cylinder, so it’ll use a speed reloader.
-Fast Rate of fire, most similar to the Bulldog and Bodeo.
-Slightly Weaker Cartridge but still a reliable 2-3 shot kill
Please leave your thoughts down below.