In relation to the most recent update 1.64 (at the time I write this), I believe that the changes to the AK-12 were a bit too much. I know that the reductions to its muzzle velocity and ballistics penetration was primarily due to people complaining it is too "OP" in game. I can agree that the muzzle velocity was somewhat too high in the first place for its caliber (somewhere in the ballpark of 880-920 m/second if i remember correctly), it is now about 720 m/second and I noticed that its velocity loss over distance is worse that any of the other 7.62mm or 6.5mm rifles in the game (I found this through a combination of checking the velocity at different distances and using the bullet cam feature to see how far the rounds can actually travel). I believe this makes the AK-12 almost completely obsolete compared to all the other weapons in its class (even considering its burst fire mechanic). I would like to see more of a compromise for this weapon, not as powerful as it was before but not rendered inferior compared to the other 7.62 rifles, something in the middle, say 820 m/second and make its velocity loss over distance more comparable to the other 7.62x39mm rifles as it currently seems to loose its velocity at a much higher rate (after all they are the same caliber of ammunition i.e. the same physical dimensions [same aerodynamics] and similar weight and should therefore lose velocity over distance at a similar rate at their respective starting velocities which are different due to different barrel lengths, quality of the firing chamber fit to the round, etc.)
Concerning the complaints that the AK-12 ballistic penetration of materials was too high prior to the patch, I personally believe this is complete nonsense. I find that in Arma 3 people have a tendency of complaining when they get hit while taking cover behind very flimsy cover. Cover such as tin shacks, two by four planks of wood (which I believe the huts on Tanoa are primary made out of yet people complain when rounds penetrate them), plastic sheets around construction sites, trees, etc. All of these forms of "cover" will provide little to no protection against a FMJ 7.62x39mm round in real life at close range. Observe this simple ballistics test using nothing more than a 9mm pistol (not even using FMJ ammunition as stated in the video)
if a standard 9mm pistol round moving at about 375 m/second (typical velocity for a Glock 17 which I believe is the weapon he is using in the clip) can make it through 3 two by four's and still embed itself in the fourth I ask you with tears in my eyes what do you think a 7.62x39mm (especially if it is a FMJ) moving at about 720 m/second (just under double the speed) will do against a single two by four as the huts on Tanoa seem to consist of? Personally I think people who complained about the penetration prior to the patch simply need to learn to use thicker and harder forms of cover in a firefight as appose to reworking the weapons to make then less realistic to suit their inability do differentiate between hard cover and concealment cover, after all Arma 3 is a sandbox military simulation game, so does it not make sense that the player should have to deal some of the fundamentals of a firefight in real life (such as selecting good cover) as soldiers have to do in real life?
Here's hoping my argument is considered by the Bohemia interactive development team.
Best regards
Coretex47
