M249

Summary
The M249, formally referred to as the M249 S quad A utomatic W eapon (SAW), is an LMG which is likely being added to R2DA in the 100th update, otherwise known as v1.0.0.

Background Story
It was as if a hole was in their hearts. Shredding zombies to pieces didn't provide their usual kick. Something about just holding the trigger down to wipe out everything that people saw made people feel good.

Sure, there were options already available. However, neither the M1A1 Thompson or the AK-47 fired quickly or damaging enough to be satisfying. The Skorpion fired too fast for people to even register that it happened. The Minigun was their best option, but it was hard to scavenge the ammo needed to continue the rush.

Through multiple customer focus groups (yes, they still exist), data was compiled that people were looking for something "a step down from the Minigun". As such, the M249 was considered the best fit for this set of complicated criteria.

The M249 was designed to mow down zombies at lightning speeds, while still using ammo that was cheap to produce and easy to supply.

Tips

 * This weapon slows you down while it is equipped.
 * Be aware of any Leapers and Edgars the same way you would be if were using the Minigun.
 * However, the M249 only takes a quarter off your speed compared to the Minigun, which takes off half.
 * Fire in short bursts of rounds to conserve ammo. This gun is also decently accurate and long-ranged, so don't be afraid to attack far away enemies.
 * Bring a reliable secondary to help with the long 5 second reload
 * CK Swat and Fireaxe can quickly kill zombies that are closing in.
 * Steyr M is a good secondary gun to use with its abundant ammo.
 * Rambo knife is good weapon to use to get away from zombies and reload the M249.
 * Bat, with a Tactical II vest, is a good horde cleaner.
 * A Tactical II vest, providing extra stamina for sprinting, could be useful for when a M249 gunner needs to get away and reload.
 * Unlike Minigun, M249 is provided extra ammo through Bulldozer and Tact Vests. Bring Bulldozer and Tact vests for the extra ammo.
 * Aim for the head as one hit can bring a normal zombie down even at 190 health.
 * Crouch to improve accuracy even further.
 * Like the Minigun, this is a good tool to use against a Brute.
 * A single clip can even take care of a Charged Brute, assuming that you are able to land most of your shots.

Trivia

 * The M249 is sometimes referred to as the "Squad Automatic Weapon" alone.
 * An actual M249 has 100 rounds in its box compared to the 55 you see in-game.
 * This is the first Prestige Rank weapon since the days of the former Rank 25 Spas-12.
 * Most expensive weapon in-game.
 * First gun to offer animations instead of attachments.
 * This is the second machine gun to be added to R2DA, with the Minigun being the first.
 * However, this is the first light machine gun to ever be added in the R2D series, as the Minigun is a heavy machine gun.