In The Division, the M1A sniper rifles are being nerfed with Update 1.3. Will we now have to rely on other snipers?
Basically, since the launch of the MMO shooter in March, agents have sworn by an AUG submachine gun for close range and an M1A sniper for longer distances. These two weapons quickly crystallized as the best guns in the game.
With Update 1.3, Massive is now targeting the most popular weapons and nerfing them so that other guns become interesting for players. Already, we have dealt with the impacts of the nerf on the AUG and the Vector. We now take a look at the M1A – which is (still) considered the best sniper in the game.
How the M1A nerf affects gameplay
Once, the M1A could be used as a “monster headshot machine” because it has a high rate of fire but also a strong base damage and received incredible precision with the bugged perk “Balanced”. “Balanced” now works as intended, but there are still ways and means to greatly improve the M1A’s precision, such as with the perk Capable.
The power of the M1A lies in that you can pump many devastating hits very precisely into enemies. And the developers are now addressing this precision.
The nerf causes the crosshair to expand much further when multiple shots are fired in succession. This should make it impossible to accurately target enemies at long distances – unless one takes more time until the crosshair is drawn back together.
However: Even now, the M1A’s crosshair spreads far apart. This is due to the “tricks” like Capable that greatly enhance this weapon. When you use a skill, this perk improves your weapon handling for several seconds, allowing you again to take quick and precise shots.
The YouTuber Skill Up believes that this nerf will not be enough to shift the focus to other precision rifles.
Precision rifles in The Division can be classified into two categories: Either the sniper is rapid-fire, or it has high base damage. Since the M1A combines the best of both categories, it will likely remain the agents’ first choice for sniping. It might have been more sensible to enhance the other precision rifles instead.
The YouTuber sees the strategy here that Massive wants to shift the focus to light machine guns with the nerf. These also have a strong optimal range and can become powerful and an alternative for longer distances with the upcoming damage buff.
What do you think? How will the significance of the M1A change?
