Map specific loadouts vs player preferred loadouts

[Uncanny Madman]

So for Gears 3, we were told that we should take maps into consideration when picking our loadouts at the start of the match and that the maps had even been designed with this is in mind so that players wouldn't just automatically jump to a predetermined "favourite" loadout for every situation.

So, do you think you will take this into account? Did you do it during the beta? Or are you the type who would never stray from the tried and tested classic loadout no matter what?

I know that everytime Checkout popped up I'd bring out the Retro and usually the DBS too...both are just great for such tight, close quarters. Likewise, I'd always have my Lancer handy for picking off people from the nest in Thrashball.

However, the different modes affected my loadout too. The Retro was great for scattering people in KotH, likewise the DBS was great for clearing the ring.

Capture the Leader on the other hand benefited from the longer range weapons though in my experience, when you can't get close enough to free your leader.

So, what about you guys? Is Gears 3 going to get you to adapt based on your environment and situation or are you too attached to certain weapons (or too aversed to the new ones :P)

[Phantomzero17]

I usually start off with my basic load out but then based on the map, what I see the other team doing, and what my teamates are doing I'll switch up during the match.

[KrAfTyD3mOn]

Honestly, for me, I mostly kept to my "guns" persay. Gnasher and Lancer. Played 2 whole games without a DBS, and played the whole first game without the Hammy. I never got into the semi-auto hammy in GoW 2 also because I always got called a hacker, or modder, and with the bad connections I found the Chainsaw had the "vacuum" effect.

So, I grew up on those weapons, and for me, I just thought the DBS was a complete waste of time to try to relearn. But I did enjoy the Retro on the smaller maps. For the most part though, I'll be sticking with Gnasher/Lancer-Gnasher/Retro.

[Xx JUKE xX]

Interesting point... I love how they placed the emphasis on your loadout changing based on the map, yet from what we experienced in the beta and what we have seen, we can't change our weapons that we start a match with, it will always be our player preference, even if we don't necessarily like the loadout for a certain map.

Just getting that ^^ off my chest, and with that being said, I do prefer to change my weapon based on the map. I rarely used the lancer, it was always the hammerburst, but I might pull out the retro lancer a few times for maps such as checkout, those tighter maps have earned it. Although, I can't say the same for the DBS... I mean I might be forced to use it every once in a while to work on grabbing the onyx medal for it, maybe to blast my leader free from captivity as well, but I'm just far more comfortable and easy minded when I have my gnasher on my back.

[Trojan Cover]

Seeing as how you can do it in ranked, I don't see why you can't do it in public, it really annoyed me that I couldn't switch my load out in public games. Yes, I do usually change my loadout depending on the map and gametype.

[MrAzzy]

I never switch out from the lancer and dbs. You can't just pin down weapons to specific roles in gears.

[SQuirrel147]

Gnasher/Retro almost always regardless of the map. Just fits my style better. On occasion I use the HB.

Never really picked my weapons based on the map. Some times my team might need a DBS or Lancer. So I'll switch. But usually Gnasher/Retro for me.

[Uncanny Madman]

It seems most people consider themselves to have a general playstyle and pick their weapons based on that rather than circumstantial strategy.

[CoatedTrout]

I did but it was a pain to do in public...

I'd go hammerburst for thrashball and trenches, lancer for old town and checkout.

The only time I'd use the retro was when I was roaming on trenches (and for the unlock ofc), otherwise I left my teammates to fill that role.

Keep in mind, though, that all the beta maps that got in were catered to close-range combat, so expect to see a prevalence of retro + sawed off.

[mohagan400]

I tried all weapons but in the end I just stuck to Gnasher and Hammerburst.
Worked effectively on all four maps. I don't really think they succeeded.
People simply use the weapons they like!

[Uncanny Madman]

I tried all weapons but in the end I just stuck to Gnasher and Hammerburst.
Worked effectively on all four maps. I don't really think they succeeded.
People simply use the weapons they like!

Yeah, it would seem that way. Maybe it will change when we have access to all the maps but it doesn't seem likely when, as CoatedTrout says, the beta maps were all fairly CQC orientated and people still stuck to their guns (figuratively and literally lol)

[JD aus]

I rarely took into consideration the map or gamemode. That goes for most games eg. CoD, Halo, etc. I would stay with one weapon then move on.

[tinman888]

For me I usually just stuck to the HammerB and Gnasher, but I would occasionally also switch out to the Lancer/Retro Lancer on KotH or Checkout. I don't use the SO because it never really fit my style.

[Rush KO]

im staying gnasher/hammy. if there is dbs abuse, i will go gnasher/retro.

[Biggins980]

Mostly I use Hammerburst/Gnasher regardless of the map due to the fact that I can cover both short and long distance kills with the weapons.

[Plagues]

Hammerburst and Gnasher for every map. But if the other team is using DBS and Retro. I pull out my Retro, blindfire accuracy ftw? (Glad they fixed that though.)

[C Murder 20]

retro and gnasher all dayyyyy

[Locust BarmyArmy]

retro and gnasher all dayyyyy

Going to be one of my favourite loadouts :D

For bigger, more open maps I will probably switch out the Retro for the Lancer/Hammerburst. It also depends how I intend to play the map as well.

Retro/Gnasher is going to be an effective loadout though on the likes of Trenches, Checkout etc.

Edit: The Gnasher NEVER gets swapped out for the DBS...well very rarely when I feel like a change, but that's very rarely.

[thrashball cole 83]

Retro Lancer / Gnasher
or
Hammerburst / Gnasher

[DenyThisFlesh]

Hammerburst and Gnasher all day! That's all you need to dominate at any range.

I will use the other weapons for the sake of getting the medals with them, but the Hammy/Gnasher combo will be my usual loadout.

[EvVv3]

During the beta i actually switched based on the map.

Trenches= Hammer/Gnasher
Old Town= Lancer/Gnasher
Thrashball= Hammer/Gnasher
Checkout= Retro/Gnasher

[JAMX13]

havent played the beta but I plan on hammerburst and gnasher with tricked out skins.

[GinRummy]

I did Retro/Gnasher and Hammerburst/DBS during beta.

I'll probably end up swtiching between those two depending on the map...

and if the lancer's 'slight buff' makes it any more effective than a Super Soaker then I'll use it again.

[RaiseMyKD]

As long as I'm with my team, my loadout will be Hammerburst & Gnasher regardless of the map. We have our own play styles that mesh very well together.

[Uncanny Madman]

Wow the Hammerburst is really popular with forum members!

I could never get to grips with it in Gears 2 but I gave it a whirl in the beta and it's really quite the beast - the lack of recoil makes it a lot easier to use.

I still prefer the lancer though, not a fan of having to keep hitting the right trigger.

[N. Carmine]

yup every time, i can master all of the starting wepons