Weapon vs Speed pads

[Chet_BG]

I'm sorry if there is already a discussion about it, I couldn't find it.
So, when you're in a weapons race and you have to choose what to get, a weapon or a speed pad which one do you go for? Because up until recently I pretty much always went for the speed pad. I even missed weapon pads that have to change my racing line for example the first weapon pad in Vineta K and the one after the tunnel on Moa Therma. I just prefer playing without shooting other players shave seconds off my time every way possible. But recently I tried going for the weapon pads and it seems a lot easier that way, because if a speed pad gives me 0.5 sec boost a turbo gives me 1 sec boost a shield may protect me from 2 sec slowdown and a weapon may slow my enemy 2 seconds. And I can do more barrel rolls without worrying for my shield energy.

So what do you prefer in a weapons race, speed or weapon pads?

[Jav]

Depends what's needed really. On a map with a lot of barrel roll possibilities I'm more likely to go for weapon pads, or whenever I need energy. It depends on the situation though, if you sometimes feel you just need to get away from an annoying bugger then speed pad.

Depends.

[Kyonshi]

Unless its a weapon-less race, you can't really stand up for only one type of pad. If you keep going on weapon pads, you will of course never grab any speed except for Turbos, but they will never happen as often as a speed pad, and the latest can also give you good barrel-roll combination possibilities. Though you'll always beneficiate of having plenty of energy, you will less likely have the chance to catch-up. Its a very challenging way to play, but also the most "unefficient" in some way.

If you stick up for speed pads only, then its as obvious as it is. No energy whatsoever, and augment the risk of being self-destroyed or by someone else. Unless its a Green race, its again a challenging way to play, but highly hazardous. If i really had to choose between those 2, i would choose speed pads, but with my thrustworthy, 90 Shield Fury Mirage.

I have always said that one of the secret to win in WOHD is proper, strategic and efficient pick-up usage. That includes speed pads. So all in all, you can't really stick up for one or the other in a regular race. The best of the best among us always try to keep a balance between the two, and from one track to another, its never the same story and you have to adapt to the unexpected every second. Hence the first WipEout slogan ever; "Improve reaction time!"

[Chet_BG]

Yeah, of course your choice will be different depending on the situation. And of course you can't play strictly using one and completely ignoring the other. I meant in the general case which one do you go for

[Connavar]

If you're just in front of someone, try to get the weapon pads, trust me on this!

[F.E.I.S.A.R]

If the weapon pad is immediately after the speed pad(ie first speed pad then weapon pad),then it's the best. If you have to choose,that depends on the situation.
If you are in front,you would want to go for a weapon pad so that if anything happens,you can retaliate(ie turbo so that you won't be affected too much by the hit)
If you are at the back,it's your choice,but hope for the best and try to get a turbo to close the gap.