Remove or significantly change riot launcher and flashbangs.

[Katzen]

Flashbangs by themselves by the fact that the grenade has time itself to explode and a prime noise allowing counter play by running away/ quickly putting on earmuffs. Riot launcher destroys the balance of flashbangs by removing what allows it to be countered turning it into a “I win” button with no counterplay other than having earmuffs on 24/7 which ruins the social aspect of ss13.

One solution could be simply reducing the power of flashbangs when fired from a riot launcher to do a fraction of the stun. This would still keep riot launcher flash bangs as a powerful too for dealing with groups but make it less powerful when in a direct fight.

Agree.

The launcher removes the significant downsides to timing/throwing flashbangs and makes it very easy. Flashbangs from the launcher are VERY effective, direct hit puts you down for 10 seconds. One tile away, something like 190 stamina and 3 seconds. Being two tiles away drains 160~ stamina and makes you dizzy for 10 seconds. Sunglasses help a lot but still make you a very easy target with the dizzy.
The one second reload is trivial downside compared to the fact they pretty easily let you two shot most people. Some people even dual wield them.

I considered a few options,

• Riot Launcher only takes 40mm shells, put a Tactical Launcher in armory that accepts grenades
  
• Riot Launcher only takes 40mm shells, put a 40mm conversion kit in the armory
  
• Prevent flashbangs from the Riot Launcher
  
• Half effectiveness of flashbangs fired by the launcher
  
• Put a timer on flashbangs fired from launcher