No it doesn't.
As you said it is basically just a Spread Needle with rifle range and reduced horizontal range. Each of the projectiles hits 1 target and doesn't pierce.
Sorry but that is the game class balance, you can't expect Forces to compete with Hunters or Ranger in combat skills.
They compensate their lack in power with support tasks and spells (and can easily carry other classes in episode IV)
Besides, they already have some unique and very powerful items:
- Lindcray which is by far the strongest rifle in the game with spirit, hunewearl and Forces exclusive
- Sacred bow, alternative with more ATP and hell, Forces exclusive
- Samba's Fiesta, best demon mechgun, Forces exclusive
- Banana Cannon, best unlocked cannon (yes it has even more ATP than Iron Faust), Forces exclusive
- Godric's Cloak, the only armor that increases all stats +30, Fomar exclusive
Many people even believe that it doesn't make sense that Forces have so OP items on this server when they're not pure fighters.
Cards are not auto aiming weapons. They just have a wider horizontal radius: 26° range.
If you consider this is aulocking then you should also include all the fausts (45°), shots (45°), swords (45°), partisans (40°), sabers (26°), daggers (30°), rods (27°), slicers (26°), cane (26°), wands (26°)... you got it, that's like 75% of PSO weapons.
Phonon maser pierces because it is a regular launcher type weapon, which also includes: photon launcher, guilty light, red scorpio, outlaw star, s-rank launcher.
This is not going to happen, if Cannon Rouge were to be combo unlocked, it would basically be an Iron faust with more ATA and more ATP.
I kinda wanted to see that L&K38 Combat 1 ATP in action since its feature is unique but Larva said no.
I agree with Ultima Bringer's fix being a priority as well.
Den's Cannon is broken, in both senses of the word: it is just a stronger version of Banana Cannon, and its projectile is literally a 2D square.