Retro Lancer or Lancer?

Both are very powerful, but which one is more suited for you?

The Retro Lancer has very high stopping power. It is very inaccurate however, and is only effect between close to medium range, unless fired in short bursts. The Retro Lancer is equipped with a bayonet that can be used in a bayonet charge.

Bayonet charges may vary in usefulness depending on the situation. The player must have a running start in order to instantly kill an enemy on contact. While the player is running, the player has very little control over how much their character can maneuver. If the player is shot while charging, the player will slow down, making the player either lose enough speed to not be able to kill, or simply die. If the opposing character performs a dodge-roll, then the bayonet charge will only inflict major but not lethal damage. A bayonet charge can ram through several smaller enemies such as formers and polyps.

The regular Lancer is a very balanced weapon. It has less stopping power than the Retro Lancer, but it is much more accurate and holds much more ammunition per clip. Unlike the Retro Lancer which is equipped with a bayonet, the Lancer has a mini-chainsaw attached to it, allowing the player to saw any infantry sized enemy in close quarters. Instant kill, obviously.

A chainsaw must be revved before using. Revving takes only a second, but will lower and will need to be revved again if shot. Chainsawing enemies in campaign and horde mode has many advantages. Not only does it guarantee a kill, it renders the player invincible in the duration of the player mauling their enemy. The chainsaw can continue to kill enemies surrounding the player. This allows the player to regenerate health even while surrounded by enemies. However, the player does not gain invincibility in versus mode. Chainsaws are much less effective than shotguns, therefore it is generally not recommended to use during online matchmaking.

In general, the Retro Lancer is stronger but more inaccurate, and vice versa for the Lancer. An experienced Gears of War player should use a Retro Lancer however, due to its stronger potential.