Spread Shot Vs. Direct Shot

[finisherr]

What kind of ship do you typically use if given an option? Why do you use it? Just curious...

[nZero]

Not really strategy related, moved to Shmups Chat

[BulletMagnet]

Depends on the game, and the types of enemies/formations that give me the most trouble therein: in my own personal case, while I tend to get farthest with the slower, wide-shooting ships in the DonPachi series, while playing Progear and Akai Katana I always feel better using the speediest craft. Even then I tend to switch it up from time to time just for variety's sake, though.

[captpain]

"What kind of tool do you typically use if given an option?"

I use what works for what's needed. There's no single answer to this.

[Casper<3]

totally a fan of spread shots. xD


To be totally honest I really like the Type B in DFK where your shot kind of sways.

[Chaos Phoenixma]

It depends on the games.

For Touhou, I generally prefer forward focus.

For Dodonpachi, I'll definitely take type C since it makes the stages a whole lot more doable. The stages are a total mess with type A. But DoDonPachi isn't even fun to me anyway so I almost never play it.

For DOJ, I prefer type B.

For Deathsmiles, I think I prefer Follett, which really isn't either. I also use her in X-Mode of the sequel, though I'm not sure who I'd use on Arcade since you don't get her there.

For Mushihimesama Futari, I definitely prefer Palm's forward focus over Reco's spread and taking forever to kill stuff.

For Muchi Muchi Pork, I prefer Rafute which is closer to a homing type, but not exactly. Momo isn't too bad either since her spread is nice, but I can't stand Ikuo's forward focus.

With Ketsui, I pretty much get both with since I don't use the Panzer

[Sapz]

I really like the speed and power of forward focus types, so usually I'll go with those. The only exceptions that spring to mind are Reco Normal in Futari 1.5 (the speed is very well balanced and both the spread and laser are great and useful throughout the game), and Tiger Schwert in Ketsui (emphasis on shotgunning means slower speed is useful for close range dodging, spread can be used to shotgun at close range, and a faster lock-on).

[STGnoob]

I normally prefer wide/homing shot types because it makes it easier for me to control the screen and reduce the number of bullets I have to dodge. The most notable exception is probably DFK, where I prefer the speedy forward firepower ship. Possibly because hypers reduce some of the downsides of the speedy forward type, and I find I really need the speed for dodging in DFK.

[dan76]

Almost always the slowest ship with the widest shot. Also, I try to move as little as possible so the wide shot helps with this and bullet dodging.

With most games playing for score I can't get away with tiny tap dodging in the center of the screen, but that's my default start anyhow.

[Bee Cool]

I have to say I use both frequently,for example in Ketsui I go on stretches where I only play Panzerjager or the Tigerschwert, but I always end up going to the other when I get burnt out. It keeps the games fresh to me as long as they are roughly equal in effectiveness in the given game I'm playing.

[Ex-Cyber]

Laser > Double (maybe Double isn't a proper spread shot, but it's the same idea).

I make an exception for dealing with ceiling-mounted Moai, but that's it.

[ncp]

spread shot if there is a way to focus the shot, straight shot if not

[Austin]

It depends on the game. I can't really say.

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

Direct shot because I can memorize the stage's layout much better than I can a boss' pattern, so it's essential for me to destroy them ASAP and move on. Also, it's a lot easier to dodge with the usual straight shot type's speed.

[Naglfar]

Direct shot for me, mostly. Certain spread shots make me feel like I'm cheesing the game. It's not making DOJ any easier, though.

Gotta get around to that IN Yuyuko solo 1cc sometime.

[finisherr]

Direct shot for me, mostly. Certain spread shots make me feel like I'm cheesing the game. It's not making DOJ any easier, though.

Gotta get around to that IN Yuyuko solo 1cc sometime.

Yeah, I haven't been playing for very long but I switched over to direct because:

A. I like the speed
B. I like the fire power
C. As much as these ships seem to be created with the intent of functional equality, I feel like the direct shots options are standard ships and the spread shot options are sort of handicap ships

I'm not against the general use of any kind of ship, but it's how I feel about the matter right now. That may change as I play more.

[emphatic]

Whatever is better for scoring.

[BPzeBanshee]

In Xeno Fighters, the only game where I take high scoring seriously, I prefer ships with wide shots such as Phyxius which I have gotten most of my high scores on the thread for it.

For other games, that depends on the game. For ESPGaluda I prefer the straight shot, for Battle Garegga I couldn't care less, for Ketsui I prefer the wider shot, the list goes on. Generally I'll go for the one I feel is better survival-wise though.

As for the above posts, frankly I don't think there's anything "cheating" about using Wide Shots at all, if they're in the game they're meant to be used. It's as simple as that.

[Zengeku3]

It really depends on the game. If the layouts of the stages isn't too fast paced and the enemies doesn't fly in from all directions, I'd normally pick a straight forward shot since memorizing where all the enemies come from normally isn't too much of hazzle. If there literally are enemies everywhere I'm likely to switch to to a spreadshot type.

I have seen examples of games that seem pretty much designed with one kind of shot type in mind, though still including other shots just for the hell of it. Ketsui has a direct shot but afaik it doesn't even do considerably more damage than the spreadshot meaning that there basically isn't any reason whatsoever you wouldn't use the spreadshot.

In the Touhou games you see this quite often too with IN having the main character have a decently powered homing shot that wrecks stages, a powerful focused attack that destroyes boss and have a smaller hitbox in addition. You'd be an idiot to pass that up especially since no situation in the stages calls for the other characters powers.

In games like DDP or DOJ i usually also pick spread since the greater threat to me generally are the popcorn enemies and not the big guns. I might easily miss the popcorn enemies who will then fly to some obscure corner and start shooting bullets that then proceeds to hide themselves under other patterns.

In general, I pick the most effective type. I expect my games to be designed around bringing well-designed gameplay to whatever character you pick.

[AuraDRGN]

in xenofighters r:zapdos due to its a straight forward direct shot
in DDP Daioujou:type-a theres too many enemies
in ketsui :type-b the big enemy's have tough armors so i take "b"

[Drum]

Homing lazors. Always.

[zackforbing]

I generally go for the spread shots as I hate chasing enemies all over the screen.

[xris]

I like spread shots to pick up popcorn on the edges. And, when you point blank enemies with it the damage is usually greater than the straight shot. Being able to focus is awesome, best of both worlds.

[Treasurance]

back shot
too bad so few shmups have it

[RNGmaster]

back shot
too bad so few shmups have it

Go play Gradius 3. I hope you like!
<3

[Treasurance]

back shot
too bad so few shmups have it

Go play Gradius 3. I hope you like!
<3

okay, once I've finished watching Boku no Pico

[RNGmaster]

back shot
too bad so few shmups have it

Go play Gradius 3. I hope you like!
<3

okay, once I've finished watching Boku no Pico

yeah, go and finish that first

[Minoira]

Depends on how I'm playing, really. If I'm playing for score, I'll use whatever I'm best at getting the job done with in a specific game. Otherwise, I'll just choose whatever takes my fancy. (Hence why I have a habit of choosing Xanthez-equipped Kagura in Hellsinker, despite the fact I'm awful with her.)

[Marurun]

For me it goes like this in most shmups: homing > spread > direct.
If it's a game like Futari though it doesn't really matter since each character kinda has their own spread shot and then a focus shot for when you need to damage one area or slow down. With games like Progear though I play with spread shot if I want massive scores and then use the more direct shot if I just want to play it fast. It all depends on the game, really.

[BIL]

"What kind of tool do you typically use if given an option?"

I use what works for what's needed. There's no single answer to this.

+1

back shot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPfFP06UdFY