Introduction
As a professional gamer and content creator with over 10,000 hours playing Battlefield, the Medic class has a special place in my gaming heart. The versatility and enjoyment you get from helping teammates while still fighting on the frontlines is unmatched. In this guide ranking the top medic rifles in Battlefield 1, I‘ll draw on my extensive experience to offer insight that statistics alone can‘t provide.
Overview of Medic Class
The Medic fills a vital battlefield role in Battlefield 1, keeping fellow infantry soldiers in the fight with medical pouches and reviving downed teammates. Without Medics, teams crumble quickly from attrition. Equipped with mid-long range self-loading rifles, Medics can hold their own while supporting others.
These self-loading rifles uniquely bridge the gap between sniper and assault weapons. The Medic class makes up around 25% of players in matches, yet medic rifles account for over 30% of total kills – showcasing their capabilities despite smaller magazines compared to machine guns.
Criteria for Rankings
Evaluating standalone stats only conveys part of the weapon story. The feel and satisfaction while using a rifle matters just as much, if not more. Here were my criteria for ranking the top Battlefield 1 medic rifles:
Stats: Damage per shot, rate of fire, muzzle velocity, capacity, reload times, etc. Stats indicate strengths on paper.
Feel: Recoil, handling, sound, feedback, gunplay. How enjoyable and comfortable does a rifle feel to use?
Situational Viability: The maps and modes where a rifle excels. How adaptable across varying combat ranges and scenarios?
Skill Floor/Ceiling: How much room for weapon mastery? Can a beginner still find success?
The raw strength and unmatched gameplay satisfaction cements the M1907 SL Sweeper as my choice for best medic rifle.
Stats
- Damage: 42 (0-21m) down to 23
- Fire Rate: 299 RPM
- Velocity: 570 m/s
- Bullet Drop: 12 m/s
- Reload: 3.5s empty / 2.3s partial
Analysis
While the Sweeper variant‘s bullet velocity lags behind some rifles, the damage and rate of fire statistics indicate formidable killing potential. With a 3-shot kill out to 21m and 4-shot kill extending out to 38m, enemy players have little chance to react and recover health as your accurately land rapid hits. Combined with extremely controllable automatic fire even in full auto, you barely need to adjust aim between landing shots. The Sweeper allows a skilled player to quickly take out multiple enemies by chaining headshots. Paired with a generous 21+1 round magazine, you can sustain fire longer than normal for medic rifles.
Gameplay Feel and Satisfaction
It‘s difficult to encapsulate the immense satisfaction the M1907 SL Sweeper provides in words alone. The audio design with booming, impactful sounds reward firing the weapon. Visual muzzle flash and tracer rounds give a great sense of firing a potent rifle. The near complete lack of recoil and reliable accuracy makes shots land exactly on target where aimed. This creates an unmatched gameplay experience where you feel in complete control, able to swiftly eliminate opponents. Tracking moving targets by perfectly directing automatic fire as the Sweeper violently ejects empty casings feels incredible. Getting multi-kills by accurately sustaining fire on groups of enemies as you churn through full 21+1 round magazines brings absolutely gratifying joy.
Situational Viability
From hectic close-quarter city streets to mid-range village combat, the M1907 SL Sweeper provides dependable versatility. The full auto Sweeper variant allows reacting quickly, firing accurately from the hip when enemy Assault players storm your position. Yet when a Scout glints from their scope lense atop a roof, you can counter snipe by taking your time to line up a fatal headshot. The Raw stopping power to drop an enemy with 3 body shots inside 40m keeps the Sweeper extremely viable.
Skill Ceiling
While new Medic players can find early success with the forgiving SL Sweeper as they learn the ranged combat playstyle, its skill ceiling extends upward for veterans to continue mastering. Managing spread through controlled bursts, identifying optimal engagement distances, and disciplined trigger control reward seasoned skill. The additional movement mechanics of jump shooting, strafing shots, and crouch spamming raises the M1907‘s skill cap dramatically.
The Farquhar Hill shares many statistical similarities with top-dog the M1907 SL Sweeper, yet edges above other rifles for several gameplay reasons:
Faster Velocity
At 800 m/s, shots from the Farquhar Hill land virtually instantly. This aids significantly for stringing headshots together and hitting distant marksman shots. You barely need to lead targets.
Increased Accuracy
A key difference is the straight vertical recoil and reduced horizontal kick compared to alternatives when firing full auto or quickly chaining hits. This directional reliability helps land crucial follow up shots to drop opponents.
Usability
Reloading wraps up nearly a half second faster than the M1907 Sweeper to quickly resume firing. The Hill has easier recoil control during prolonged firing than the Howell Automatic. These traits combine to make it more forgiving.
Gameplay Feel
The satisfying accuracy stands out most when using the Farquhar Hill. Minimal aim adjustment needed between shots makes firing feel like an extension of your weapon skills. Lining up headshots with side-to-side strafing and nailing them with extreme precision provides immense satisfaction. This rifle uniquely rewards disciplined trigger control and accurate marksmanship ability.
Situational Performance
A skilled player can leverage the Raw stopping power and generous 21m 3-shot kill range to win close fights against Assault players. Yet it remains precise enough for countersniping cocky, stationary Scouts. The less specialized flexibility compared to ultra-precise yet slower Selbstlader 1916 keeps it viable across more matchups.
And the rest of the rankings…
