Yes. Nerf its range, to say, about lg range. Then nerf damage output to, say, about 140 dps. Spread is unnecessary if range is limited so remove that, so we have pinpoint accuracy.
So basically, you just want a nerfed LG? I mean, if you want its range nerfed to LG range, with pinpoint accuracy (like the LG), then you want its damage nerfed too, then by your logic why bother changing the chaingun and just change the LG?
have to disagree with you on this one... besides, it still is an overblown mg, and we already have one of those... now, changing out mg & cg....
I too remained unconvinced...what becomes the purpose of the MG (as if it had much of a purpose before)? Besides, I kinda like the fact that the LG range is limited.
light sabre (start weapon... you can throw it!)
grenade launcher
plasma gun
rocket launcher
80 dmg stake gun
and maybe the flak cannon from ut (but only with the shotgun like firemode)
the ranged lg damage had some benefits to it, because of the fact that with an lg, in order to deal damage, you need to catch your opponent out, you need to make him stick to a fight for a long time. the best way of doing this is in short range, in small rooms, because at the typical lg range your opponent has an easier time escaping (for instance rushing top level on dm13 compared to rushing water-ya on t9).
the cg, just like the lg, obviously doesn't do quick bursts of damage, so the same thing applies. with the cg, though, you get to actually see and hear how much damage you're dealing, because the damage boost at close combat comes from more shots hitting (due to spread), and not some unknown arbitrary limit. the more ballsy usage of trying to catch people in fights "until death" with it is emphasized by the fact that it starts firing quicker after a couple of seconds, which also adds the questions of "should i start firing before i go around a corner and risk being heard and wasting ammo for the added damage?", and "should i fire at long range or conserve ammo?"
it's more manly, and more complex, at the same time!