We aren't talking about D1 here. I'm well aware of their purpose there. This is D2. I know it might be confusing since the difference in titles is just one number, but the games are different. In the old one, D1, synths were very necessary since ammo was a lot more stingy. In D2, at least in my experience, ammo for all weapons, even power ammo, is never really in short supply. When it is, it isn't for long.