I love sharpshooter, but there are definitely issues with the perk.
Personally, I would fix two things about it:
1. All headshot bonuses should instead become weak spot bonuses. It feels terrible to be penalized for shooting weak points that aren't the head.
2. The sharpshooter needs some form of survivability improvement, without sacrificing the feel of the perk. I get the appeal of a relatively immobile glass cannon, but it needs to be practical and the reality is the game as a whole is designed to discourage that. To preserve that playstyle while making it practical, I would recommend adding 1%/level passive movement speed while reloading and replacing the tier 4 skills with the following options:
Both of these grant you some kind of leniency to remaining still to aim, while the passive speed on reload allows you to quickly reposition.
- Dealing weak spot damage with a perk weapon stumbles nearby zeds.
- Remaining stationary increases damage resistance 7% per second up to 35%.
(exact numbers are hypothetical)
The first option is similar to the firebug's Heat Wave skill, but requires precision in exchange for affecting all nearby zeds. It doesn't require you to stand still, but it will definitely help players who do while helping the sharpshooter in general avoid the crowds that spell death for it more than any other perk.
The second option specifically rewards setting up a sniper spot, granting some leeway should you let yourself get surrounded. Stacks would fall off one at a time like Rack-em-Up to provide some safety as you shoot your way out of whatever mess you're in and into your next perch, and also allow you to make quick adjustments without dropping the whole bonus.
I like these ideas. The Sharpshooter currently sacrifices reloading speed for damage which I think is kind of a mistake. I'd think a level cap addition increasing reload speed per level would help. Also if the Sharp has to stay still for more damage, I like the idea of a second passive increase as level increases. Also maybe slowdown Gunslinger movement speed while reloading. Or maybe Sharpshooter should get a movement bonus while reloading.
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