2. I don't know where you're getting these numbers from but I just tested Kitty and F katar and they're almost the same damage, give or take. I'm actually only using the f katar right now, since the spam is ALOT more better. The f katar allows me to spam 4 consistently, but the damage is not good enough to kill anything. I can spam 3-4 without link on a f katar, and 4 consistently on link. Kitty claw on the other hand, the most i can spam is 2 SB and saying its "Burst" is LOL. Its basically like a weak double strafe with shitty spam. I'm also a hybrid SinX and I don't rely mainly on SB, but with the current spam rate is just ridiculous. I could say that F katar is BETTER then kitty claw..which is really retarded considering its a donation item. I tested on my friend who is full gear and i manage to pump out about 8400 damage each hit with link bless and falcon eyes, and my str is like 300. For f katar on the other hand around 8200 and thats with the same buffs ( take note that these buff can be easily dispel).
3. Well from experience the norm damage from a GS is about 70k on my Sinx and imagine if i didn't have a shield, you do the math. The thing about sniper is, there damage is consistent so its easy to predict when to spam seeds, on the other had GS has Desperado, which i consider to be a burst damage (best of both worlds). Way stronger then all the range classes i fought from experience. Just Imagine if i take off my shield trying to SB, which is one of the biggest negative as i mention above. The negative out ways the positive so much. To achieve damage you sacrifice defense, which is the only class to do that, and its a massive amount of defense.
4. Yea.. I agree with you also, but each individual damage, by far play the biggest role and I don't see that happening and considering I can only spam 2 sb max.