Why the SCAR-L Ruined 5.56’s Weapon Balance in 12.12

SCAR vs M4, which is better? In today’s video we’ll be doing a deep dive into how the SCAR, the M4 and the MDR all compare. Recently it has been fairly well popularised how the SCAR’s recoil feels WAY better than the M4, with the MDR somewhere in the middle - partly just down to the rate of fire of these weapons and the recoil increases in 12.12, but also because of some extra details about the handling of these weapons that causes the SCAR to outperform.

Doing some deep dive analysis on all three weapons, we’ll be determining how much impact there is to semi auto performance, where the recoil stat is comparable outside of full auto and attempting to explain why the M4 feels so bad to use this wipe.

The overall conclusion is that the SCAR-L is likely the best of these three weapons when factoring in recoil, overall handling and economics, with the MDR as a close second and the M4 trailing off in the distance with only it’s lower potential TTK really providing any sort of material benefit to the user.

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Ammo/Penetration Chart credit to NoFoodAfterMidnight

*****TIMESTAMPS*****
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:14 The quick & dirty TL;DW
00:00:40 Individual shot recoil
00:01:45 Single shot reset time
00:02:42 Full auto
00:04:51 Horizontal recoil
00:05:19 Ergo, weight & ADS speed
00:07:08 Conclusion
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Feel free to check out the rest of the channel and my weapons videos below:

Class 4 Armor Breakdown!

Midgame Builds: The AK-101

Class 5 Armor Breakdown!

How Recoil ACTUALLY Works in EFT!

RFB vs Hunter!

Lowest Recoil M4 in 12.11!

Tarkov Budget Guns for PvP!

Tarkov Budget Kits: Cheap Early Loadouts and Efficient Midgame Gear Sets!

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I release new videos on Youtube every Saturday, and also stream on Twitch! Please do stop by to say hi, or to ask any questions you might have!

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[Gigabeef]

How's the SCAR treating you? Or has everyone given up on 5.56 now 😂

[Nate_the_Nobody]

That second shot jump on a 5.56 weapon is absolutely absurd for a trained PMC

[Rhapsodos_X]

they did this with the Mutant as well. they WANT to release a hands-down best in class so people will use what they spend time creating. they will then proceed to gradually hit specific stats until it drops and the meta changes

[knightshousegames]

So what you are telling me is the M4 is outclassed by pretty much every other 5.56 gun, but is still way overpriced?

Tarkov's dedication to realism never ceases to amaze me.

[ndmn]

Treat the SCAR as a 5.56 battle rifle for medium-ish ranges, treat the M4 like a SMG. I'm having lots of fun with the shortest barrel on the M4 and running higher ergo builds with it this wipe. it's an SMG with a little more recoil and a bit more power. Scar is a lot of fun!

[libertusprimus]

Having toyed around a bit this wipe with modding, I've managed to make an (albeit pricey) AKS74UN that has 45 recoil.
"Great!" I think, "I'll take it to the range and it should be like a mini AK74!"

To quote Homer

"WRONG" *Smashes plate over head*

They really need to make the recoil stat mean something again.

[FghteR]

I thnik AK-101 and HK416 should also be considered in this analysis. Otherwise, good job!

[JaCKal_]

EFT Lore: trained soldier who can wield a weapon

EFT gameplay: OH NO RECOIL

[KroghBoy]

Love how detailed and chill your vids are Beef!

[RoniaProductions]

I would like to see a huge buff to holding your breath + ADS sprays. This would keep standing strafing full auto inaccurate. It's annoying watching the PMC initial spray, it's like he is surprised he started shooting.

[TFlashman]

I am amazed at how detailed the analysis is. This is top quality content, well done!

[goldenhitmonlee]

I think the canted red dot feels really nice on the scar, it negates the low ads speed, and it's mounted closer to the pmcs face, which keeps the reticle from climbing out of view on full auto

[creiggarrett]

really well put together as usual. Shoutout from Alaska!

[kadrank]

If you haven't seen yet a smaller tarkov channel called numbers of tarkov made a spreadsheet with all the weapon recoil reset times and dispersion (horizontal spread). he also pointed out that some guns kick in different directions as the default angle is not always straight up.

[sethington]

Recoil reset times on different weapons is something I’ve wondered my entire Tarkov career! So glad you’re taking them into consideration and testing them so much! My guess is it’s bsg’s way of nerfing high fire rate weapons by making them have longer aim reset times, which must in turn make their recoil crazier? Just a theory though.

[NoahBroome]

Always love the content man, top tier

[monke]

Great video! love the detail. this confirmed a lot of my suspicions about the 556 guns that i haven't tested myself. sad to see the m4 as bad as it is, but the scar is really nice.

[sager.]

gave a like and sub for that quick brief at the start very helpful.

[rhamby]

You make great and really useful videos, keep it up

[CYER]

No wonder I've been doing well with the MDR this wipe. Don't usually care to use it but has been working for me.