ZHI-X3 'Decimator' 12.7x99mm Pistol

Lore The ZHI-X3, nicknamed Decimator, was developed to counter the rise of robots on the battlefield. Intended as a secondary, last-resort weapon for close-quarters combat, it fired a single .50 BMG sabot round. However, it was too heavy, unwieldy, and limited by its single-shot design, and only a few hundred units were produced before it was deemed too impractical for its intended use, and was quickly phased out in favor of grenades, which were cheaper and easier to use.

Despite its drawbacks, it gained a cult following among elite troops and pirates due to its psychological impact on enemies. As such, other rounds were made compatible with the gun through aftermarket modifications, such as high-explosive rounds or 12-gauge shotgun shell conversions, and other attachments were developed by third parties.

Today, it has almost completely disappeared from the battlefield, but it is still common among gun enthusiasts and collectors, and it is relatively easy to find in specialized shops.

The name Decimator was never an official designation, but an ironic nickname given to the ZHI-X3 by soldiers. It referred both to its destructive power and its absurdly oversized and impractical design. As overly dramatic and somewhat ridiculous as it sounds, the name persisted and eventually became far more widely recognized than the weapon's actual designation. Today, most owners, collectors, and even weapons dealers refer to the ZHI-X3 simply as the "Decimator", and many are unaware that it was ever called anything else.

Performance The Decimator is built around one purpose: delivering an incredible amount of damage in a single shot. It combines the massive burst damage of a sniper rifle with the compact platform of a pistol, making it highly effective at close ranges in specialized roles such as infiltration, ambushes, and hit-and-run operations. With high-explosive rounds, it becomes a strong crowd-control weapon, while armor-piercing variants allow it to better fulfill its original purpose of taking down Mechanical targets.

However, its strengths come with significant drawbacks. The single-shot design results in very low sustained DPS compared to other classes, making it poorly suited for extended fights or engagements against many scattered enemies. Its poor handling, stability, and lack of a long-range scope also limit its effective range, where it is easily outclassed by sniper rifles.

The "Decimator" is not a weapon designed to outperform every class. It is a specialized tool meant to complement them, excelling only in the situations where its unique strengths matter most.

Modifications

Add-ons

• Suppressor
• Long Barrel
• Reflex Sight
• Polymer Grip
• Prototype Grip
• Laser Sight

Ammunition Conversion

• FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) - Standard 12.7x99mm (.50 BMG) round.
• APDS (Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot) - Slightly higher damage than FMJ, penetrates multiple enemies and 1.6x damage bonus on mechanical targets.
• HE (High Explosive) - Explosive damage in a 4 meters radius. Strong shock-waves that staggers most enemies.
• 12G Shotgun Shells - Converts the weapon into a close-range shotgun that uses standard shotgun ammo. Great if you fear ammo shortages !

Appearance

• Carbon Fiber / Bronze Alloy - Default appearance of the prototype
• Gunmetal - Replaces the carbon fiber and the bronze with dark steel.

How to find the weapon and its ammunition:

BUYING: You need to have a minimum player level of 13. Stores might need time to restock if you visited them recently. You can find it in the following places: - UC Surplus - You can find the Decimator and all its ammunition reliably at the UC Surplus store in The Well. - Any weapon shop - The Decimator has a chance to appear in most weapon shops.

LOOTING: The Decimator can be found sparsely in the wild on enemies with a minimum level of 13. More lethal and modded variants, such as the High Explosive conversion, appear at higher levels.

CRAFTING: You can craft all ammunition for the Decimator with the required skill. You can also convert FMJ rounds into APDS or HE rounds with additional materials.