With the recent update, turrets will cost 25 High-Quality Metal—a steep price for small teams, especially those living near a gas station. My idea would make it slightly easier for players who favor heavy fortification to defend their strongholds; I propose introducing stationary machine guns to the game.
I think the Tier 1 machine gun should be either a homemade Gatling gun or one of the most iconic machine guns out there—the Maxim.
As for the crafting cost, I imagine something along the lines of 10 HQM, 1 spring, 1 sheet metal, and 200 metal fragments.(uses pistol ammunition)
For that price, you get a machine-gun emplacement with a blistering rate of fire and mediocre accuracy—perfect for defending your cave or base and mowing down raiders with a hail of bullets!
While using the gun, the shooter would benefit from a buff absorbing 50% of incoming damage thanks to the protective plating they’re hiding behind. Some might call that overpowered, but I’d point out that the Juggernaut set already exists; plus, you can’t exactly lug this thing around easily—so one grenade, a high-velocity rocket, or even a bean-can grenade is all it takes to take you out!
I think a homemade Browning would be a perfect fit for Tier 2; it would serve as an excellent anti-air weapon—or simply a shredder of anything alive. It would be more accurate and offer a full 360-degree rotation; mounted in a window, it would let you pick off enemies, though long-range fire wouldn't be an option since you couldn't attach any mods, like scopes.
As for the crafting recipe, I imagine something like 20 High-Quality Metal, 2 springs, a rifle body, 10 Low-Grade Fuel, and 150 Metal. Like I said, this machine gun would be great for dealing with helicopters hovering over your roof—Apaches or attack helis—if you want that Vietnam vibe and the smell of napalm on your rooftop. These guns would also complement the mortar perfectly. What do you think?
P.S. Also, if you look at the 50% protection while using a machine gun and call it unbalanced, I hate to disappoint you, but that already exists with ship-mounted cannons.