Phantom Forces Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Article
Gallery
Advanced Stats
format_quote
"A modular Belgian automatic assault rifle, built specially to satisfy the needs of SOCOM. Steady fire rate with low recoil and high minimum damage."
–In-game description


The SCAR-L is a Belgian Assault Rifle available in Phantom Forces. It is unlocked at rank 16 or could be purchased using credits.

History[]

The SCAR-L (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle - Light) is the 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle version of the SCAR family of rifles. The SCAR rifle was developed by Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal in 2004 due to demand by the U.S Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) for a weapon family based on two calibers, the 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO rounds, but with similar ergonomics to each other as well as high part commonality. As such, the SCAR rifle was constructed to be extremely modular - including the ability to change the barrel to switch between calibers.

US SOCOM, the largest contractor for the SCAR-L at the time and also the funding agency for the SCAR project, decided to cancel its purchase of the SCAR-L in mid-2010, citing no huge benefit over other 5.56×45mm NATO chambered weapons like the M4. SOCOM ultimately decided to instead create a 5.56 Conversion for the SCAR-H.

Recent production models by FN Herstal would give the SCAR platform as a whole a number of quality improvements. Notably replacing the long-standing flaw of its reciprocating charging handle with a fixed dual-sided charging handle for more ways to comfortably hold the weapon while also reducing the already soft recoil.

The SCAR-L is still a very popular weapon among the regular armed forces and special forces around the world.

In-Game[]

General Information[]

The SCAR-L does average damage up close, with a four-shot kill (4SK), retained at all ranges. It has a rather low rate-of-fire (RoF) of 625 RPM compared to other assault rifles, and combined with its 4SK and an average muzzle velocity of 2500 studs per second, the SCAR-L has a relatively slow time-to-kill (TTK) up close but with a good TTK at longer ranges. This TTK is made even faster with headshots barring some suppressors.

It has two fire modes: automatic and semi-automatic. As for the recoil, it has a somewhat high vertical recoil. After the vertical recoil "climb", the SCAR-L is generally stable and controllable, with just a bit of horizontal recoil and a medium amount of visual recoil/shake, due to the low RoF.

Usage & Tactics[]

The SCAR-L is a weapon that favors accuracy and damage over range rather than raw damage in close-quarters-combat (CQC). It lacks the higher damage of other slower firing weapons up close and is subsequently a poor performer in CQC. At medium to longer ranges, thanks to its low recoil and guaranteed 4SK, the SCAR-L performs well, with shots being relatively easy to land on target even when firing in full-auto. At extreme ranges, one may be required to tap-fire.

It is generally recommended for SCAR-L users to remain within the medium-range bracket, although engagements at longer ranges are still a viable option due to the stability and damage of the SCAR-L. Due to the good TTK of the weapon at longer ranges, it is recommended to aim for the head due to the reduced requirement of 3 shots-to-kill (STK) at this range instead of 4STK on the limbs or torso. 

Attachments that increase aim stability can make its long-range capabilities greater. While attachment combinations that increase hip stability are generally recommended for medium/close range. High aim stability is still also a viable option for this range if the user wishes to aim-down-sights (ADS) at this range. As such, in order to improve ranged performance, users of the SCAR-L should consider recoil reducing attachments such as grips. The Folding Grip is also useful for it's ability to almost remove visible gun recoil - leaving a clearer image of the mild recoil.

For a stealthier build, a Suppressor is also an adequate choice, as it does not decrease the STK requirement at any given range, along with improving the hipfire ability of this weapon, which makes the SCAR-L marginally better in CQC despite the damage decrease. This is at a cost of decreased muzzle velocity, at 2000 studs per second with the regular suppressor. However that remains the highest of any suppressed speed to damage ratio, so should a user decide to go for stealth with the SCAR-L, the standard suppressor is arguably the best fit.

One of the SCAR-L's other great strengths besides the damage is the fact that most attachments placed on it won't have too great a penalty on the weapon's performance, giving the user a wide range of attachments to choose from. Like the M4, users can tailor the SCAR-L to what fits their play style, as the SCAR-L does not particularly specialize in anything, allowing it to be able to fill multiple roles. Combined with the low attachment penalties, there are multiple ways to play with the SCAR-L if attachments are put on it.

Muzzle Booster can be used to alleviate the slow RoF, as this could be problematic when going against weapons with better performance on a high fire rate, given its 4SK damage being counteracted with a slow rate of fire. This decreases the minimum TTK by .1 second, but take note that it will reduce its suppression capabilities and recoil will be slightly increased as a booster's compromise, thus tap-firing for the SCAR-L in medium-long ranges is more than necessary, but this attachment can make users more favorable for aggressive tactics.

Armor Piercing Rounds synergize exceptionally well with the SCAR-L since its already short damage range is still a non-factor to the amount of shots it needs to kill at any range. Making it a practically universal choice for almost all SCAR-L setups.

The SCAR-L 9mm conversion is a unique conversion that increases the firerate (725), the max damage (34), increases ammo per mag (32), increases total ammo (128), and increases minimum damage range (125), but decreases muzzle velocity (1900) decreases minimum damage (18), and decreases penetration (0.5). The SCAR-L 9mm attachment is very good when used in CQC due to its 3SK and good fire rate. Although it can lose out to some PDWs at point blank range, this conversion makes up for the gun's shortcomings (slow RoF, low CQC damage) and even allows it to retain some of its long range capabilities. It drops to a 6SK at range, but this is similar to other medium damage assault rifles like the M16A3. Its accuracy and decent firerate allow the gun to still kill quite fast at range with the 9mm conversion.

Conclusion[]

The combination of high minimum damage, standard muzzle velocity, and easily controllable recoil makes the SCAR-L a very capable weapon. The key is to try to keep some distance and use it at medium range, as its close range TTK is one of the crippling aspects of this otherwise well-rounded gun.

Use of the 9mm Conversion mitigates said crippling aspect, allowing it to have a faster TTK in close range while still staying very accurate at longer ranges.

Pros & Cons[]

Pros:

For the base weapon

  • Very low recoil.
  • Respectable damage at all ranges.
    • 4SK to the limbs and torso at any range.
    • 3SK up close with one headshot.
    • 3SK to the head at any range.
  • Short range is largely irrelevant to its use case.
  • Pairs very well with Armor Piercing rounds.

For the 9mm Conversion

  • Increases fire rate to be more reasonable for CQC.
  • Further reduces the base weapon's already very low recoil.
  • Long 3SK range and 6SK proves little hindrance past its damage range.

Cons:

For the base weapon

  • Slow fire rate.
  • Less than desirable CQC capabilities.
  • Long empty reload.
  • Obstructive ironsights, making optics or other alternate sights highly recommended.

For the 9mm Conversion

  • Half the penetration depth of the base weapon.
  • Reduced muzzle velocity.

Trivia[]

  • Like every SCAR variant in Phantom Forces, the SCAR-L has the PM II optic unlocked by default ever since the New Steel Part 1 update.
  • In Alpha, the SCAR-L was the only assault rifle with a maximum damage of 34, making it a 3SK. This was changed before the Beta stage to balance the weapon.
  • Except for the color, magazine size and shape, the SCAR-L's model is the same as the SCAR-H's model.
  • The SCAR-L and its variants used to be the only in-game primary weapons that feature a bolt release animation.
  • The SCAR-L, along with the other automatic SCARs, used to feature an anachronistic burst-fire mode. This was removed in the July 4th, 2017 update likely because it was irrelevant to use over the easily controlled automatic fire.
  • The Alpha Version's model is smaller than its current model.

References[]

Weaponry
Primary Weapons

Assault Rifles

AK12 - AN-94 - AS VAL - SCAR-L - AUG A1 - M16A4 - G36
M16A1 - M16A3 - AUG A2 - K2 - FAMAS F1 - AK47 - AUG A3 - L85A2
HK416 - AK74 - AKM - AK103 - TAR-21 - StG-44 - M231
Type 88 - C7A2 - G11K2 - Type 20

Personal Defense Weapons

MP5K - UMP45 - G36C - MP7 - MAC10 - P90 - Colt MARS - MP5
Colt SMG 633 - L2A3 - MP5SD - MP10 - MP5/10 - Uzi - M3A1
AUG A3 Para - K7 - AKS74U - PPSh-41 - FAL Para Shorty
PP-19 Bizon - Kriss Vector - MP40 - X95 SMG - Tommy Gun
RAMA 1130 - BWC-9

Light Machine Guns

Colt LMG - M60 - AUG HBAR - MG36 - RPK12 - L86 LSW - RPK
HK21 - HAMR IAR - RPK74 - MG3KWS - Stoner 96 - ChainSAW - MG42 - M1918A2

Sniper Rifles

Intervention - Model 700 - Dragunov SVU - AWS - BFG 50
AWM - TRG-42 - Mosin Nagant - K14 - Dragunov SVDS - Hecate II
M107 - Steyr Scout - WA2000 - NTW-20 - FT300 - M1903

Carbines

M4A1 - G36K - M4 - L22 - SCAR PDW - AKU12 - Groza-1
AK12C - Honey Badger - K1A - SR-3M - Groza-4 - MC51SD
FAL 50.63 Para - 1858 Carbine - AK105 - Jury - KAC SRR
Gyrojet Carbine - X95R - HK51B - C8A2 - OTs-126 - Can Cannon

Designated Marksman Rifles

MK11 - SKS - SL-8 - VSS Vintorez - MSG90 - Beowulf TCR
SA58 SPR - SCAR SSR - M21

Battle Rifles

Beowulf ECR - SCAR-H - AK12BR - G3A3 - AG-3 - HK417
Henry 45-70 - FAL 50.00 - M14 - HCAR

Shotguns

KSG-12 - Model 870 - DBV12 - KS-23M - Saiga-12
Stevens DB - AA-12 - SPAS-12 - DT11 - E-Gun - USAS-12

Secondary Weapons Pistols

M9 - M17 - G17 - M1911 - Desert Eagle L5 - GI M1 - Hardballer
Izhevsk PB - M45A1 - KG-99 - Five Seven - ZIP 22 - Makarov PM - AM III Grizzly - GB-22 - Desert Eagle XIX - Gyrojet Mark I - GSP - G21 - G23
G40 - G50 - M2011 - AF2011-A1 - Alien

Machine Pistols

G18 - 93R - TEC-9 - Micro Uzi - Škorpion vz. 61 - MP1911
Arm Pistol - ASMI - PP-2000

Revolvers

MP412 REX - Mateba 6 - 1858 New Army - Redhawk 44
Judge - Executioner

Other

Serbu Shotgun - SFG 50 - M79 Thumper - Sawed Off
Saiga-12U - Obrez - Coilgun - SASS 308

Featured Article
Advertisement