Gladly, Talon. I'll explain a bit more about the Jackhammer and the Engineer class as a whole, if you don't mind. Skip the part labeled ENGINEER if you really don't care about the engi stuff, but you may want to take a look, as if you unlock the Jackhammer it would be nice if you played engi some, and had some tips. *chuckle*
ENGINEER: I know that to you the Engineer class is useless, but it is truly NOT a useless class at all. Yes, the initial weaponry it comes equipped with as USMC and China leaves something to be desired, but even these pump shotguns can be lethal if you are accurate with them, and focus on fighting up close. True, Engineers do not shine well at medium to long-range combat, relying on their trusty pistols for defense in such scenarios.
But at close range, particularly with the unlock, Engineers shine. Also, let us not forget that the Engineer has the lovely ability to drop mines, and using these offensively against tanks is a hoot - sneak up behind one, drop one behind, RUSH to the front, drop one in front.. if he hasn't seen you yet, get his attention, lure him away so that he moves... BOOM! Dead tank. Not that much harder than the old C4 trick to be honest, and there is nothing more hilarious than seeing a full tank or APC crew die AFTER they killed you (assuming you didn't get away). "Alright, he's dead now. We need to move out." *BOOM* Didn't see the mines, did they? ^_-
Engineers make the best battlefield-wide commanders and the best vehicle commanders. Why? That handy wrench. The wrench can be used to: Repair UAV, radar, Artillary ; Lift anti-vehicular mines in your way ; repair bridges that are out in your path ; repair your own vehicle if it takes damage ; and properly disinfected, it spreads mayo over sandwiches expertly (if you were wondering what ELSE Commanders do while sitting in their home bases giving orders - mmm, sammiches). Also, engy as even a member of a vehicle CREW is awesome. One of my favorite tactics is to stand behind a tank as it battles another tank, constantly repairing it. It gives our guy the edge he needs to win, and if you position yourself so that the tank shields you from the splash damage of the enemy tank round, you won't take much or any damage. If you're even in an APC or tank and your vehicle gets into an engagement with another APC or tank, one should consider hopping out and repairing. Keep on the move as you repair on the side of the vehicle that is NOT facing the enemy vehicle. I rarely see players do this, and if they did it more their vehicles would last longer - assuming the other side isn't doing the same.
JACKHAMMER: Ahh, the Jackhammer.. a weapon which makes the engineer-class an absolute monster at close-range. Sometimes I play Engi just for the JH. You've probably already tested the JH in single player, so you already know it unloads its 7-round clip in just about one second if you hold down the mouse. Given the damage each round does, you'll be taking down one or two opponents at close range before you have to reload. This may seem mediocre at first, but when you consider just how fast the JH fires, and therefore damages your opponent... well, if you are aiming correctly, your enemy will be dead in about half a second.
Given two players of equal skill, reaction time, etc, at CLOSE range with different weapons, I honestly believe that the Jackhammer player would win every time. There is simply no weapon, not even the DAO-12, that so excels at mowing down a single opponent so quickly. And if you are quick to react and release that trigger finger once your opponent is dead, you might have some rounds to use on another hostile. Due to its exceptional ability at such close ranges, the JH really shines in urban maps. If you enjoy urban maps, the Engineer and Anti-Tank classes with JH and DAO-12 unlocks are for you - engineer to support your vehicles while mowing enemies, and Anti-tank to eliminate the enemy's while mowing.
True, the 7-round clip goes fast. But if you're doing things right, SOMEONE should be dead. But once that ammo is gone, you need to find cover to reload. That, or if you are still actively engaged, whip out your pistol. Likelyhoods are you ran out of ammo after putting a round or two into someone with the JH, and they just won't finish dying. If you whip out your pistol fast, you can finish them off quickly with that. Honestly, players would win a lot more fights in this game if they'd just learn to use their pistols. They are excellent weapons that should not be underestimated, and compliment many of the weapons in the game quite well - particularly once you run out of ammo and can't take the time to reload. ^_-
Where I find the JH really excels is when guarding a flag for capture. Many of the flags in this game are in tight, enclosed areas. Simply hunker down prone in a corner in order to make yourself a less-than-obvious target, and wait for it to cap. If someone enters the usually small area you are guarding, get up, and rush toward them firing. Let out your battlecry (my personal battlecry is "Wrenchies Forever!") and mow that miserable slab of non-engineer (persumably, since so few seem to play them) flesh down, and anyone with him. Then simply return to your camp spot and reload, whilst smoking a cigar to celebrate your victory. Wait for more victims until the flag finishes capping.
This can work marvelously for defending a flag under assault too, but that should go without saying.
Anyway, hope this was helpful. Sorry about the length. Unfortunately, I tend to be wordy.
Last edited by =ARF=Icefox (2005-12-23 12:21:13)