Put me down for kinda preferring the old (15.3, in my case; I skipped A16 entirely) weapon system - parts, combining, etc. Maybe the game could sort of split the difference:
- No parts
- Gun levels do affect base damage slightly (need other balance to make this work)
- Can combine two (undamaged) level N guns to get one level N+1 gun at 50% durability
- Can combined damaged guns to repair the higher-level one (or less-damaged one in the case of same-level)
- repair effectiveness is based on difference in levels and/or durability remaining in the sacrificed gun
- No repairing guns using repair kits (must combine on workbench to repair)
- Gun level 6 cannot be found or purchased - gotta build it or combine level 5's
- Mods as they are today
That would give some value to the plethora of level 1 & 2 hunting rifles we keep finding. I also kinda like the idea of guns being extremely valuable tools which must be cared for and watched closely for damage. As it is I don't care if my gun is at 10% durability - repair kit bada bing bada boom it's fixed.
Alternate idea, but also BRILLIANT:
- Guns cannot be crafted, only found and purchased (bows and crossbows are still craftable)
- Perks allow for upgrading and repairing weapons of type X up to level Y
- Repairing is diminishing return - 100% repair the first time, 75% the next, etc.
- Repair can either sacrifice a weapon of the same type, or use a repair kit
- Damage and mods as they are now (no increasing damage with increasing level - just better durability)
That would make weapons very valuable, even level 1's, since each weapon has a limited lifespan. No more creating a level 6 weapon and immediately transitioning to selling all other weapons you find. Your level 6 shotty is great, but after 4 repairs (which should take a while; it's a level 6 after all) it's going to be dead so you better work towards finding or buying a replacement. And maybe don't shotgun everything you see - crossbows are cheap to make.
We're on day 35 in our game and we both have level 6 guns (he's a marksman, I prefer the shotgun) and effectively unlimited ammo. Finding guns is just not a thing we care about any more. Not when a stack of 6000 rock nets me 3000 at the trader and a level 2 rifle gets me 120 or whatever.
And but so anyway, I like the "we give you guns that go bang" thing, but IMO they need to be much more valuable. By which I mean rare and prized, not just worth more at the trader.
