The T16 Rhino is intended to serve as an accurate sustained-fire tool. It trades the higher damage output the T9 CARV-S offers for increased aimed accuracy, higher minimum damage, considerably more favorable recoil, a higher muzzle velocity, and a faster reload, while also being able to fit Extended Magazines in the same way. It cannot equip Soft Point Ammunition but it comes standard with a maximum damage range 10 meters further away.
Additionally, the T16 Rhino's aimed cone-of-fire is capped at 1.2 degrees, where it is typically capped at 3 degrees on most other weapons.
The T16's rate of fire and damage model are imitated by the EM1 and VX29 Polaris. The main differences it has from these copies is a better bullet velocity and milder vertical recoil - though like its namesake, the Rhino is not a nimble beast. Of the three, it reloads the slowest and has the widest hipfire spread in exchange for its rock-solid aimed performance. It also has exclusive access to KCAP Ammunition instead of the others' Soft Point Ammunition, raising its damage output substantially at engagement ranges where aiming for the head is impractical.
Equipped with a combination chevron/crosshair reticle and 3.4x magnification capabilities, the TR's Designated Marksman Optics functions well at many ranges.
A compensator redirects gases upward, reducing vertical recoil by 30%, and increasing hipfire cone of fire by 15%. The added sound pressure causes the player to show on the minimap 35m farther away.
The weapon's muzzle flash and noise generation is reduced, and the player no longer appears on the minimap when firing. In exchange, the weapon's damage falls off 20 meters sooner and bullet velocity is reduced by 15%.
The rail mounted Darklight Flashlight can illuminate hostile cloaked infiltrators and dark areas but the light can give away your position. The light can be turned on and off with Toggle Attachment hotkey.
High Velocity Ammunition increases the weapon's projectile velocity by 10% and minimum damage range by 20 meters, but reduces the weapon's maximum damage range by 2 meters.
It is possible to earn both Ribbons and Medals while using the T16 Rhino. Each ribbon is a standard reward for achieving a set amount of kills with the machine gun. Medals are awarded upon reaching kill milestones with the weapon.
Dev Note: Major buff that moves this support LMG in the direction of the Naginata and Promise while aiming down sights, without being quite as accurate as either.