[Update] Naughty Dog Deploys Uncharted 3 FAL Nerf

Aside from Uncharted 3′s beguiling treasure system, the game’s resident semi-automatic n00b slayer, the FAL-SS, has been one of its most complained about assets.

Available to players who reach level 50, it’s the go-to choice for any plundering veteran; despite having a vicious recoil, the high damage count and ability to aim via a red-dot sight pits it head and shoulders above any other weapon in the Uncharted online arsenal. Well, that may have been the case yesterday.

Naughty Dog recently announced a live update for Uncharted 3 last night. According to the post, it will now take five shots to down an enemy player (as opposed to four,) or three headshots.

It’s unclear whether the update has made a noticeable change; some players are reporting that the FAL-SS is still hugely overpowered, calling for a kill rate of 6/7 shots whilst also demanding a slower fire rate.

ND has also altered a number of “Death Planes,” nullifying any hidden tricks exploitative players have been using to grab some cheap kills. Hopefully we’ll be able to update you with our own opinions on the live update later today.

Update: Since posting, I’ve had a chance to get some hands-on time with the update. Given that I’ve just started my first Legacy (similar to COD’s Prestige Mode) I’m being dropped into matches with other players between 60-75 with the occasional low-level straggler; having downloaded the new map pack, my matchmaking options have also been narrowed further, grouping me with Uncharted 3′s most dedicated players.

From what I’ve seen, the live update has certainly made impact. Not once, in the space of an hour, was I gunned down by a player carrying a FAL-SS. Especially in close quarters, the semi-automatic beast has definitely lost its edge, the G-MAL now matching it in terms of long-range efficiency. Statistically, the update only nerfed the FAL ever so slightly yet there’s been some sort of psychological impact as players are now reaching out and experimenting with some of the game’s more overlooked weapons.

Source: Naughty Dog