Character Description

The role of the Automatic Rifleman (AR) is to lay down a high volume of suppressive fire against area targets. He is a vital member of the fire team provides them with a mobile base of rapid fire when assaulting. When used in defensive operations, the Automatic Rifleman can lay down fires equivalent to multiple standard riflemen.\

Appearance

Loadout

• Primary Weapon: Light Machine Gun (M249 SAW, PKM, RPK, etc.)
• Ammunition: 600-800 rounds in belts/drums (3-4 magazines/drums)
  • 200-round belts or 75-100 round drums depending on weapon system
• Equipment: 2x Smoke Grenades (no frags due to weight)
• Special: Deployable bipod (integrated with weapon)
• Bandages: 2x Field Dressings

Squad Limitations

• Maximum 1-2 per squad - Heavy weapons specialist
• Often assigned one Rifleman as assistant to carry extra ammunition

Special Abilities

The Automatic Rifleman is the fire support backbone of the squad, providing sustained suppressive fire that enables maneuver:

Suppressive Fire:

• High Volume Fire: Lay down 600-800 rounds of suppressive fire
• Area Denial: Suppress enemy positions, forcing them to take cover
• Support by Fire: Enable squad advances by pinning enemy forces
• Defensive Anchor: Hold defensive positions with sustained fire

Bipod Deployment:

• Deployable Stance: Use bipod for maximum accuracy and reduced recoil
  • Deploy on ground (prone) or surfaces (cover/windows)
  • Takes 2-3 seconds to deploy/undeploy
  • Significantly improved accuracy and controllability when deployed
  • Can traverse 90-degree arc while deployed
• Sustained Fire: Can maintain accurate fire for extended periods when deployed

Ammunition Management:

• Receives ammo resupply priority from Riflemen
• Can share ammunition with other Auto-Riflemen of same weapon type

Advantages

• Sustained Fire: 600-800 round capacity allows prolonged engagements
• Suppression Master: Most effective role for pinning enemy forces
• Defensive Power: Can hold chokepoints and deny areas single-handedly
• Bipod Accuracy: When deployed, highly accurate and controllable
• Squad Support: Enables squad maneuver through suppressive fire
• Psychological Effect: Volume of fire forces enemy to stay in cover

Disadvantages

• Heavy Weight Penalty:
  • 20% slower movement speed than Rifleman
  • 30% slower sprint speed
  • Reduced stamina - exhausts faster when running
  • Cannot vault high obstacles easily
• Weapon Handling:
  • Slow ADS (Aim Down Sight) time - 40% slower than rifles
  • Very poor accuracy when firing from hip
  • Severe accuracy penalty when moving/not deployed
  • Long reload time (8-12 seconds for belt/drum change)
• Bipod Dependency:
  • Must deploy bipod for effective accurate fire
  • Vulnerable while deploying (2-3 second animation)
  • Limited traverse arc when deployed (90 degrees)
  • Must redeploy to engage new directions
• Ammunition Dependency:
  • Burns through ammo quickly in sustained fire
  • Relies on Riflemen for resupply
  • Limited ammo count (3-4 mags) despite high capacity per mag
• Limited Close Combat: Poor performance in CQB situations
• No Grenades: Cannot carry frags due to weapon/ammo weight
• Prone Requirement: Most effective when prone with bipod deployed