Pistols? (and grenades)

So I know there have been probably a lot of topics on this before, but I got the game SOMEWHAT recently, but so far I have to ask, does anyone even use the pistols or grenades? Everyone I play with (both randoms and friends) never seem to use it, and I will admit, they both take up a perk slot and that seems like a massive drawback. I think I remember them saying that they didn't do that or something because then people would think it's a requirment and then feel forced to buy it, but is that really the case? Several other DLC weapons and vehicles they have seem infinitely more necessary and broken than the pistols. (notably the avenger that can let a single helldiver solo any bug world, no matter the difficulty) And for example, it's not like the pistols are all objectively better than the starting one:



FLAM-24: It's a great secondary in theory, but it's small mag, low damage, weak range, and uselessness against an entire faction (illuminates) really puts it low on the list in actuallity. Not to mention that the main faction it's good against (bugs) everyone normally just brings the avenger which is infinitely better and can kill tanks.



PLAS-3: It can kill you if you use it at close range. That should honestly be enough of a turn off to never want to use it on most missions (ESPECIALLY since it's a secondary weapon that you normally use when downed and/or being swarmed when out of primary ammo) but because I feel inclined to say more, it's low ammo and magazine, inaccuracy at any sort of range, and niche role for a pistol also grants it plenty of drawbacks.



GUNSLINGER: This is probably the best out of all the pistols, but it still has plenty of weaknesses. For one, it's reload speed is really long for a sidearm, and it isn't THAT powerful considering it's cylinder capacity. Most people I know would just use the camper (for it's rate of fire, magazine size, and power) or the railgun. (which can one shot an entire patrol when lined up right) Not to mention that it's a jack of all trades, master of none. The bugs have to many numbers for it to be good for long, the illuminate's shields REQUIRE you to spend at the very least 2 shots to kill most of their people, (which might be alright if you can kill the patrols fast enough, but they also have shields on higher levels) and the cyborgs have to many enemies that can eat up 2-3 or more of it's bullets before going down, and then swarm you anyway.



And not to mention the grenades. The pistols MIGHT be useful to justify a perk slot, but those stupid little grenades? Not a chance IMHO.



So yeah, none of these pistols are just so much better than the very versatile and useful starter pistol that they would "break the community" and have them split opinions or whatever. If anything the Camper, Avenger, Arc Shotgun, Stomper, and Bastion have probably lopsided the game more than adding a pistol or grenade slot probably ever could. Not to mention the new Trident weapon they added that I have literally seen entire teams take on missions several times over. Seriously, that weapon is retarded.