Hey,
making my first character, a very social Vesk that will piss off every optimizer in existence.
I need something to do in combat, because my combat stats are crap, and I noticed the Needler pistol.
I want to use it for healing, but it deals 1d4 damage, meaning it has a potential to deal more damage than the healing serum heals.
Is there any way to make it *not* deal damage? without house ruling or whatever, of course.
Don't think so. What's worse, I don't think weapon specialization damage is optional, so you'll wind up dealing even more damage as you level. Could be wrong, though. A buddy of mine asked and didn't really get a response.
It's kinda silly because they specifically point out that it's used by medics.
Dude, I agree. Seems like it should be more supported, given how they talk about it. My buddy was considering getting one of the hideaway limbs with a gun holster (or whatever) in it so that he could pop it out and use one of his four attacks to shoot himself for heals late game, was all theory crafting, though.
Hopefully a writer sees this and clarifies.
hmm.. is there any sorta nonlethal option in this game/ Like Mercy fusion or anything?
I totally wanted to pick up a needler and use it for poison and healing
There is a Merciful fusion, yes. Lethal damage isn't tracked separately, though. Basically just means they get knocked out, rather than killed.
a -4 penalty seems like a waste of a lot of healing serums for a 1st level character with a not-great Dex.
As others have mentioned, needles hurt (if only a little). You can always administer it by hand, but healing serums are pretty pricey early on. Still, I don't think that should be too difficult short of administering to melee allies.
If you're very social, perhaps you can make use of Intimidate to Demoralize (though it's only 30ft range). Envoys in particular can use skills for combat better, if that's what your social vesk is.
There's also the option of Covering Fire, which is always against AC 15.
Another big note is the fact that Serum of healings heal hit points. Not stamina points.
Meaning the only time you're using this is when the guy is down to HP damage (cause you're not gonna needle shoot them after the battle. Just hand them the serum).
So... that means you're gonna ave to damage their HP more to heal HP. WHen they're already pretty close to death depending on the Hp amount.
Granted much less of an issue with Mark 2 or 3 serums I guess.
So really I guess only ever use the needler technique with Mark 2 or higher for emergency
That's a good point.