Laser Rifle

Arguably the best weapon in the game. Good accuracy, long range, no ammo needed, burst fire... this gun has it all. It does a LOT less damage than the Heavy Plasma, but that's about it. The bullet rifle reaches its limits with floaters and snakemen, but the laser rifle, once developed, is useful for the rest of the game.

Note that its shots will quite consistently destroy trees, brick walls, and other obstacles, but not reinforced metal like bases or ships.

The only thing that really withstands a pointblank burst from this would be the Sectopod.

Statistics

Laser Rifle

• Actions, TU cost:
  • 34% TU Auto
  • 25% TU Snap
  • 50% TU Aimed

• Accuracy:
  • 46% Auto
  • 65% Snap
  • 100% Aimed [1]

• Power: 60
• Power type: Laser Beam

• Ammo: Unlimited, no cost [2]

[1] Note with the additional bonus from kneeling, you get 115% * soldier base accuracy - a sharpshooter's dream. Too bad you can't specify head shots...

[2] A real-life equivalent would probably have swappable, rechargeable batteries. Maybe one battery is sufficient to last the entire firefight. No elerium required!

Manufacturing

• Cost 20,000
• Engineer-hours 400
• Workshop space 3
• Sale price 36,900