Machine Gun | |
Production information | |
Technical specifications | |
Damage Per Hit |
8 |
Maximum Ammunition |
200 rounds |
Fire Mode |
Automatic |
Ammunition Type | |
Rate of Fire |
10 shots per second |
Usage | |
Era(s) | |
[Source] |
“ | Although this weapon is easy to use, its light weight allows for considerable kickback that will push your gun up. Fire in short bursts until you can effectively steady your aim. | ” |
—The Quake II Manual |
The Machine Gun is a rapid-fire weapon found in Quake II, using bullets for its ammunition. It has a good rate of fire (10 bullets per second) and a reasonable overall damage output, but its accuracy is rather poor especially at long range. In Single-Player, the recoil of the gun means prolonged bursts will force the view upwards, although you can counter this by moving your own sight downward accordingly.
The Machine Gun tends to be one of the first weapons found in single-player campaigns, found in the second level of Quake II, and the first levels of The Reckoning and Ground Zero. Its overall damage output with continuous fire is significantly better than the Shotgun or Blaster.
In the 2023 remaster, the upward recoil from this weapon is removed.
Strategies[]
Single Player[]
- It is well-suited for dealing with Guards, since it is a hitscan weapon that can quickly deliver enough firepower to kill them before they shoot back. Flyers and Barracudas are good targets, requiring only a brief burst of fire to put them down. It can also deal with an Enforcer or Gekk in short order, but you should be ready to strafe to avoid any return fire, and it's okay against a lone Berserker, but it falters against more dangerous enemies such as Gunners. By the time you first encounter Gunners and Parasites, the Machine Gun - while not ideal - is probably the best option for dealing with them at the time.
- Once you collect the Chain Gun, it should be chosen over the Machine Gun for any sustained combat, since it is capable of firing the same ammo at a much faster rate. However, the Machine Gun can still be used for dealing with small numbers of Guards or Flyers without using much ammo.
- If a player turns on mouse look or free look, as it may be called, one can remove the large amount of recoil after firing for a short burst.
Multiplayer[]
- The MG is much less useful in Multiplayer. While it's better than the Blaster, it can't stand up to weapons like the Rocket Launcher. Anything bigger than MG, means you're toast unless you surprise your opponent.
- When using it, try to get somewhat close to your target. This is risky, but the MG's accuracy makes it so that you'll have to get close in order to actually hit your target. Start by short bursts as you get close to unaware targets then crouch and send stray bullets while controlling the recoil before retreat. Just remember not to get too close. When you're really close, they can pull out a Super Shotgun and blow you away.
- On a direct 1v1 duel, Machine Gun has a huge disadvantage against rest of the arsenal and better be ignored. In a crowded match however, it can be handy tool to weaken enemies that are infighting with each other at a distance. Keeping distance with short bursts, one could be able to weaken the target with advantage upon witnessing the fight behind cover or long distance. Still, it doesn't mean you're safe from Railgun shots if you picked the wrong target to weaken or acted rather hasty.
- Machine Gun is a simply suicidal weapon, if you have nothing else you just chip away health of your opponent before getting knocked away. Best bet is luring opponent onto yourself from far hiding behind a corner then letting it loose in a crouched position. For ambushing enemy, you have to deny enemy a sightline with a Hand Grenade to hide yourself better behind the corner as they rush onto you. A cautious enemy will cut corners at large angles to see if you're retreating or faking it. Grenade will force them to jump or completely evade it as you take cover and open fire in a crouched position.
- Any heavy arsenal like Rocket Launcher or Chain Gun most likely decimate you outright. When you have Machine Gun, either have a plan to grab a better weapon from your position, or depart quickly for Hand Grenades for area denial to gain control over goodies in the map. Always try to take cover, drop on them from a higher platform or toss a high thrown second nade uncooked behind the cover to be safe. At the open for hilarity reason you can try a Grenade Jump with Hand Grenades to surprise your chaser as well.