(english isn’t my native language)
While other Mercs (Aurora/Proxy) with high speed and low armor have access to 2 shotguns and one MP for CQB, Kira has only access to the 3 battle rifles - mid/long range weapons - which feels out of kira’s element. I think the shotguns/MP combo suits her better, at least give her one shotgun or smg.
If you want Kira’s HP and speed with shotguns or SMGs, you want Proxy. Proxy is not Kira.
Kira has her own set of strengths. Dreiss can be vicious at long range, but the combination of a battle rifle and high mobility works remarkably well on its own. Kira provides fire support, and she does it well, from any angle. You’re not meant to be in peoples’ faces with your weapons, but rather use your mobility to outmaneuver your opponents at range, and to flank your opponents.
Playing Kira well requires mobility and flexibility. Kira’s ability just doesn’t work if you yourself are up close. What you want - in my experience - is to use your laser and your rifle together. Get a laser close to your enemy, and force them to run, then shoot them. Or force to to take cover, and finish them with the laser. Quickly swapping between laser and rifle are essential.
EDIT: By the same token, Kira isn’t the merc you want to hunker down with. If you camp a window and expect to win with Kira, you’re doing it wrong.
I’m with my Pillpoping friend here on this one. Kira’s not a sniper nor is she an upfront gunner. She’s quick, Fragile, and chock loaded with damage potential and area denial.
In fact I’d argue she’s almost too powerful in the hands of a good player, especially in the casual game brackets. The Stark has nearly the highest damage potential out of any gun in the game currently. I’ve been on farm more than my fair share of Unstoppable Streaks with this character simply because of the Caldon and the Stark’s insane damage output and her ability to flank and her Laser. Pair her with a Good Aura or Sawbonez, and she is literally capable of the most damage out of any merc in the game outside of raw explosive weapons like Nader’s MGL.
Give her an SMG, an Assault Rifle, or a Shotgun, and she loses her identity to just being a worse performing Skyhammer, Proxy, or Aura.
While I agree that Kira is quite squishy she is quite mobile which allows you to use her as a long range skirmisher.