COMBAT: Basics - Pulse Laser vs Burst Laser vs Beam Laser - #00054

As different from each other as only siblings can be
^{Anonymous CMDR}

Since release, one of the big discussions is "which laser to chose". Although there are multiple factors at work regarding ship type and size, experience level and engineers' availability, the decision is (mostly) clear.

Lasers On Beginner Ships

As similar as Burst and Pulse Lasers are, the bigger the difference to Beam Lasers - especially so in terms of efficiency.

This is a major issue for beginners, as without lots and lots of experience, you will have a hard time keeping your "WEP bucket" filled. In other words: Thermal requirements of a beam laser will most likely lead to an exhausted 'WEP' (weapons) path in your power distributor, resulting in a beam laser that won't fire when you need it most.

Here is a short comparison about power consumption / heat requirements / fire endurance / damage done for all three lasers.

--> Ship:

- Cobra Mk 3 without any engineering
- Best Power Distributor 3A
- 2 x class 2 lasers gimballed
- 2 'pips' in WEP (Simulated newbie pilot)


--> Pulse Lasers

Power Distributor Capacity: 16 MJ
Maximum Damage Per Second: 2 x 9.6 = 19.2 MJ
Range: 3 km
Falloff: 500m (Above this distance, there's a massive damage reduction)

Pulse Lasers will fire for ca. 9 seconds, resulting in ca. 172.8 MJ of damage (this is a rough estimate of theroretical damage under ideal conditions below 500m. Deductions may apply!)


--> Burst Lasers

Power Distributor Capacity: 16 MJ
Maximum Damage Per Second: 2 x 10.3 = 20.6 MJ
Range: 3 km
Falloff: 500m (Above this distance, there's a massive damage reduction)

Burst Lasers will fire for ca. 8 seconds, resulting in ca. 164.8 MJ of damage

--> Beam Lasers

Power Distributor Capacity: 12.5 MJ
Maximum Damage Per Second: 2 x 12.5 = 25 MJ
Range: 3 km
Falloff: 600m (Above this distance, there's a massive damage reduction)

Beam Lasers will fire for ca. 4 seconds, resulting in ca. 100 MJ of damage

Conclusion for Beginners

Using the 100 MJ of damage a beam laser produces using one "filled WEP bucket" on a Cobra Mk3 with a top notch - but unengineered - power distributor, one can say:

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