Best Starting Weapons (EU)
"What's the best weapon to start with?"
This is a question that is often asked, and one that is not always that easy to answer due to the varied selection of weapons you can start with. Some are fast but clearly too weak to use against some aliens, while others are powerful but cumbersome to carry. Everyone will have their opinion of what is best and what isn't. This article will attempt to make logical comparisons of the weapons you start with, explain their roles and let you decide which weapon will suit your needs the best.
Weapons will be discussed with their closest partner such as the pistol vs rifle, heavy cannon vs. auto cannon, grenade vs. high explosive. Merits of the weapons that don't have immediate pairings will be discussed on their own, such as the Rocket Launcher and Stun rod.
For now, as this article is "under construction", please refer to the original discussion on this page's talk page.
The Weapons
Pistol vs Rifle
The rifle is just better. The pistol has lower damage, accuracy and clip size. It may be useful to use one as a side arm for someone with a rocket launcher though.
Heavy Cannon vs Auto-Cannon
Generally speaking you not going to need to uses these. By the time you meet something that can't be killed with bullets your going to have laser weapons which outclass both of theses.
Rocket Launcher
This is another weapon that is not really needed. Most aliens will be spread out, minimizing it's effectiveness and it can destroy UFO components you will need.If you are an explosion happy person, use this against Reapers and Cyberdisks or other high health aliens.
Stun Rod
Stun rods are a must. If not used, all capturing must be done with a small launcher. While small launchers are range, they need ammo and have only 1 shot per clip combined with a low dual-wielding accuracy.
Grenade vs High Explosive
Grenades are generally better.They are more accurate and are lighter than high explosives, and both are quickly outclassed by alien grenades anyway.
Proximity Grenade
I only really use these for base defense, although they can be used for breaches. Just remember where you put them. Many a good soldier has been killed by his own proxy grenade.
Smoke Grenade
If you know how to use smoke in this game, then you are god in alien killing form. In the event that you can actually use these effectively, they can be life savers but are generally not used by most commanders.