Hello, this is XboxAhoy and this is the twenty-third episode of my Black Ops 2 Weapon Guide.
This time, we're covering the MSMC.
Unlocked at level 28, this fully automatic SMG is a new addition to the series.
The MSMC, or Modern Sub Machine Carbine, is also the first modern Indian weapon seen in
Call of Duty.
It was developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment, based in Pune.
Intended as a lightweight alternative to the INSAS assault rifle, the MSMC is designed
for roles demanding a compact weapon, such as vehicle crews and security forces.
The weapon fires a specially-designed cartridge, the 5.56×30 millimetre MINSAS round: a scaled-back
assault rifle cartridge, with traits ballistically similar to a Personal Defence Weapon.
In-game, the MSMC is the highest damage SMG on offer - edging out even the PDW-57, although
they will kill with the same number of shots within their effective range.
The MSMC's range is greater, however - and even within each weapon's 3-hit kill zone,
the MSMC has a slight edge against injured opponents and through thin cover.
At a middle range, the MSMC comes out on top more often - and while damage drop-off is
relatively quick, you'll find yourself outperforming most other SMGs at the fringe of your effective
range.
Penetration ability is low, however - as with most of the SMGs, so thin cover may stymie
your weapon's effectiveness.
Rate of fire is moderate, on par with the PDW - but lacking compared to the SMG category
as a whole.
Rapid fire takes your fire rate to a more respectable 1136 rounds per minute, but this
comes at the cost of much of the MSMC's range - a key attribute, which may negatively affect
your performance.
Hipfire spread is as good as any other SMG, but the lower rate of fire does mean it's
perhaps more critical to accurately direct your shots with the MSMC, to better take advantage
of the weapon's intrinsic stopping power.
Recoil is high - the MSMC both hits hard and kicks like a mule, which will greatly limit
your effectiveness at a longer range.
Up close, such handling traits aren't an issue, however - it's relatively easy to remain on
target as long as you stick to engagements within your effective range.
Aim time is quick, at the SMG default of 200 milliseconds.
Interestingly, the MSMC's base movement speed is better than average - with a 1.3 percent
advantage over other SMGs, at 101.3 percent of the base speed.
This benefit is counter to the PDW's capacity advantage: while it might not have the largest
magazine, the MSMC tops out in terms of damage and manoeuvrability.
Magazine capacity is 30 rounds: not bad by any measure - especially given the slower
rate of consumption - but otherwise unspectacular.
Extended clip will take this capacity to 40 rounds.
Reloads are relatively quick, at 2.10 seconds for a tactical reload.
Generally quick enough for most scenarios, although with an aggressive build being caught
dry can spell your demise within milliseconds.
Our build with the MSMC is a gun-centric one, with the utmost ability to win gunfights our
key intent.
To that end, we won't make any compromise - neither in terms of damage, nor ability
to land shots rapidly on target.
First up is the Primary Gunfighter wildcard, permitting three attachment choices for a
custom blend of firefight-tilting ability.
Our first choice is the range-boosting benefit of the Long Barrel: granting a 16% increase
to your reach, you'll benefit from a larger 3-hit kill zone, and find yourself needing
the maximum 6 shots to kill less often.
This extra range can sometimes make a critical difference, and may very well swing a gunfight
in your favour.
The MSMC's firepower is less effective if you can't direct it upon your enemy, and our
second attachment choice - the Quickdraw Handle - will allow you to snap onto target in record
time.
Aim time will be halved, to just 100 milliseconds - and although shaving a tenth of a second
off might not seem like much, it can often mean you'll be the first to land shots upon
an opponent: again, stacking the odds in your favour.
Our final attachment choice is FMJ: proving useful when facing opponents lurking behind
cover - a situation that presents itself all too often when facing off against a savvy
foe.
Even the thinnest cover can thwart the SMG's meagre ability to penetrate walls, so any
obstruction may prove harmful to your lethal ability.
While FMJ might not exude usefulness with its non-explicit effect - more readily punching
through material is nonetheless a useful trait with a high damage automatic weapon, and the
MSMC will prove more potent with this piercing power equipped.
Our first perk selection is Lightweight - manoeuvrability perhaps the most underrated ability when it
comes to winning gunfights.
Its seven percent boost to your movement will allow you to better evade your opponent's
fire, or escape into advantageous position.
Of course, something like Flak Jacket would be a better choice for objective-based game
modes, so you can swap out the first perk to suit your situation.
If winning gunfights is your focus then the second tier perk is perhaps less negotiable
- Toughness is near essential to ensure your stream of high-damage bullets reliably find
their mark.
Close-quarter builds are more likely to see bilateral exchange of fire, and while pin-point
precision isn't essential with weapons such as the MSMC, getting knocked off target by
incoming fire can be deleterious to the slower-firing SMG's effectiveness.
Next up, we take the Perk 3 Greed wildcard to permit two choices from the third tier
- the first of which is Dexterity.
The faster sprint recovery will mean you'll be able to fire more readily after rapid movement,
and improved reactivity will help to get your shots on target before your enemy is able.
Finally, Tactical Mask will prevent any of our previously elected advantage being lost
through the use of a simple tactical grenade.
If your enemy is effective with their use of concussion or flash grenades, they can
heavily skew engagements in their favour - but Tac Mask will thwart their plans, keeping
your sights clear and gun ready.
That's our build - one focused on landing high damage shots, without compromise in performance.
The MSMC is the highest damage weapon in its class, but effective use of such power is
reliant upon landing shot after shot - unlike the faster-firing weapons, you can't rely
on simply spraying down a foe.
Instead, every shot counts - and a player able to accurately direct the MSMC's stream
of bullets will be more likely to emerge victorious in gunfight after gunfight.
The MSMC is the most powerful SMG on offer in Black Ops 2, and in addition boasts a higher-than
usual mobility.
Paired with the favourable handling traits of an SMG, it's a potent close quarter weapon,
capable of quickly tearing through enemies within its effective range.
Of course, outside of a short range the MSMC quickly starts to lose its edge, with the
rapid damage drop and heavy recoil conspiring to limit your effectiveness.
It's during such mid-ranged encounters that assault rifles will have a distinct advantage,
and over longer distances it may even be wiser to flee and avoid conflict altogether.
Still, it is easier to force engagements at a close range than it is to hold an enemy
at an arm's reach, so as long as you remain aware of the MSMC's shortcomings it remains
a relatively easy weapon to use.
It is much like the PDW-57, with an edge in damage and mobility over the PDW's capacity
- both of these traits useful when it comes to winning gunfights.
This Indian weapon's strength will curry favour with those who use it: and if you're having
trouble in the heat of battle, equip the MSMC...
...and spice up your game.
Thanks for watching, this has been XboxAhoy.
Join me next week, when I'll be covering the Executioner.
Until then, farewell.