You bring an SMG for 2 reasons:
1) Plenty of Ammo found
2) Killing small mutant hordes

On Master difficulty, where the headshot multiplier is 2x, there is a valid case to use SMG. With a 2x headshot multiplier, even the Fora-230 can two-tap an exo-suit in the head, and I meant the toughest exo-suits, those ones with brown helmets. I also tested this on the Zubr-19, which uses the normal 9x19 ammo, you are still able to two-tap exo-suits in the head in Prypiat. So, given the conditions described above, in short to mid range engagement, SMGs do have an advantage, since they have the fastest ADS (aim down sight) in the game, or readiness if you are using game language. So, SMGs allows you to quickly aim for the head of a enemy, and the two-tap or even one-tap any NPC. This makes the SMGs even more effective than Saiga, because the Saiga like all other shotguns have very high dmg fall off. On Master difficulty, NPCs standing just 5 meters away from you become bullet sponges, and Saiga quickly loses its advantage due to dmg fall off. But the same dmg fall off punishment does not apply for SMGs.

This is why SMGs like the Zubr-19 or Fora-230, is actually a more reliable farming weapon for close to mid range engagement in Prypiat, especially when you farm those monolith soldiers inside those apartment buildings in Prypiat.

I also tested the head shot mechanics on one of the cheapest guns in the game, which is the "Drowned." This unique AK has the cheapest running cost in the whole game, given its unique ability to continue to shoot bullets at 0% condition. The Drowned, as tested on Master difficulty is still able  to two-tap brown helmet exo-suits in the head, due to the high headshot dmg multiplier. So, if you want to farm Prypiat with the cheapest weapon possible, then the Drowned is definitely better than SMGs, given the fact that you never need to repair it. However, you will have a lower readiness compared to most SMGs in the game, and thus you aim a bit slower.

I just love farming Monoliths in Pripyat with the Riemann when in the buildings, also use the Zubre-19, both are deadly in those situations. I am gonna send you a box of Krakus from the UK as Skif is always hungry in your videos. 👌

I do like a SMG, especially if I'm expecting to be at relatively close ranges (diving into a lab for example). And also if my opponents are likely to be human. For mutant heavy environments, especially blood suckers and controllers, I prefer a shotgun.
But for those long missions where you are wearing out your rifle I do bring a third gun, a specially fitted Faust gun that can be fresh for the rooftop.

I agree with you for my playing style as well. I just love that gun.

I preffer Integral as well. For a short range fight, for mid tear to low tear mutants and close quarter fights with humans. For middle range only Kharod or Dnipro (depending od amo stock). For long distance i use my legs to make it mid/short distance.

Nice analysis, please, go on

The vector shreds I got a good hip fire build . You can also make it a 2 round burst and it’s good for headshots especially on harder difficulties. I use it on small mutants and good clearing rooms .

I find that the Riemann, converted to .45 with Ap ammo in burst fire, chews through even high tier human enemies at close range, and is just really fun to use clearing buildings. Really good in Pripyat inside, also effective against mid-low tier enemies just running around.

Ammo is also common and light in 9mm or 45. However, the range damage drop off is pretty severe, and you burn through ammo and durability pretty quickly.

Unfortunately, the Riemann/Integra/Vector is not what it is in Stalker GAMMA- where it is arguably the best mutant killing weapon.

In terms of longer missions, I sometimes carry it or the Ratkiller for fun. But why not carry a Dnipro AND Kharod instead? Both are better all arounders.

Actually in this playthrough, for Faust/Duga, I carried the Dnipro with no ammo, Kharod, Saiga, SVU MKS-3 (I had not discovered the SIC yet) and a Riemann. I found use for all, but if I had to carry two, the SVU and Kharod would have been the choices.

What was the point of adding susat 3x scope when the guns it supports already accept 4x acog.

3xsusat if compatible with integral A or zubr 19 would have been  a great setup because of breath holding that i miss in these guns. Integral-A on two shot mode is a powerful laser.

riemann is one of the strongest SMGs in the game. of course it's useful. most SMGs however are lacking compared to available rifles.

I played untill SIRCAA only with Riemman. After that I found harder to kill enemy with Exo, so I changed to Dnipro and Kharod.

There mp5 shah's mate , very decent smg , with upgrade 10% ap + change calibre to .45 use it with 3 bulet shooting mode , ofc not o so good as bizon or integral , but you can have it very early as a revard

i just like the relatively cheaper ammo
habbit since SHOCH

For me I use smg as either a backup gun for if/when my main two guns start to jam. Smg ammo is lighter and more plentiful than assault rifle ammo

Caveat, unique weapon have durability boost.
My main issue (I really tried using the Zubr instead of a Saiga) is that if you take AP bc you want the SMG to be used in CQC and shine, the loadout is heavier than your typical saiga. Also running an SMG you're forced to buy ammo for it.

But yeah, weapons are good in that game in the sense that each are slightly different and each can work. It's more how good you're at making a specific weapon shine.

master mode + reimann 2rd burst = ❤

Totally agree!I saw this comments too.Imo assault rifles and SMGs are different guns and can not be compared directly.SMGs are good. Especially Riemann.

Riemman can do the job indoors , its accurate and you can snipe heads. But saiga does the job even better and is much more versatile (humans, mutants, bosses, you name it)

You’ll really get a feel for how lousy this gun is when facing a bunch of Snorks.
That said, I love using it to hunt human —especially the Monolith. Burst mode is so good