Light Plasma Rifle (EU2012)

Project Corvid Results

Although we continue to gain a better understanding of the alien plasma weapons we've recovered with each passing day, adapting the technology is but one aspect of the process involved in designing these weapons. We must also ensure that the armaments we develop are suitable to the firing positions our troops are accustomed to... if the weapon doesn't conform to human ergonomic standards, our troops certainly won't be able to fire it effectively. As a result of our efforts to reduce the weapon's weight, we've noted a substantial improvement in the overall accuracy of this rifle. In addition to manufacturing these new lightweight plasma rifles, we can also apply this approach to modify any plasma rifles captured in the field.

Source: XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012) Research Archives

Description

This lightweight rifle functions on the same principle as our other plasma weapon concepts - a jet of ionized gas discharged through a focused magnetic field. The lightweight frame greatly improves the overall accuracy of this weapon. A lower damage variant of the Plasma Rifle Gives a +10 Aim bonus

Source: XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012)

Notes

Research Required	Light Plasma Rifle
Base Costs	§125 20 Alloys 15 Elerium 20 Engineers
Base Damage	4-6
Critical Damage	7 or 9
Critical Chance	10%
Range	Medium
Abilities	+10 Aim

• This is a decent weapon to hand to the spare Rookie in your squad if you have one on hand. Although it's nearly identical to the Laser Rifle, the Aim bonus included on the weapon is a nice boost to otherwise lousy shots.
• While the listed Critical Damage (on the EW DLC) is 8-10, the actual values are either 7 (33% of the shots) or 9 (66%) due to a bug.
• With the right strategy it is possible to skip Laser research and upgrade directly from conventional weapons to LPRs.
• The aliens will make extensive usage of this weapon at the beginning, with Thin Men, Floaters, Outsiders, and Mutons fielding them on missions. One way to prevent it from killing your soldiers with a single shot is to develop and use early Nano-Fiber Vests.
• Light Plasma Rifle research benefits from the following Research Credits: Plasma Weapons, Weapons Technology, All Technology.
• On the Enemy Within DLC, the building costs for each Light Plasma Rifle have been increased to §180, 30 Elerium and 30 Alloys.