Burst Ray

Last modified by Kajar on 2024/07/14 18:39

Burst Ray

BurstRay.jpg
TypeMain Gun
Available FromPAR ALI TEM TRI
Fitted ToSmall ships
RoleAnti-Surface Element, Anti-Capital
Required LicenseMilitary License (+10)

In-game Description

Because of its amplified destructive power against surface elements, the Burst Ray is the weapon of choice for daring fighter pilots who want to strip capital ships of their engines, shield generators and turrets. As the name suggests, it fires a sequenced burst of focused radiation to deliver several galvanic calefactions in quick succession, causing the target's surface material to lose cohesion on a molecular level. This niche ability comes at a cost, however: its short range and low energy output against the main shield and hull of its target make the Burst Ray an ineffective weapon for skirmishes with small and medium-sized ships. In a pinch, the fact that the individual beams deliver their damage instantaneously, may nevertheless prove useful against small and evasive targets.

It is said that the Priest Duke of Pious Mists himself ordered the development of a specialised anti-capital ship weapon to counter the overreliance on heavy fleets and long-range weaponry of the Holy Order of the Pontifex.

The Mk2 variant fires more often per burst, which increases the energy output significantly. In turn, the effective range drops slightly and the weapon becomes prone to overheating.

Tactical Overview

The Burst Ray is a highly effective weapon against capital ships. Though not by quickly destroying them outright.

The damage output of the Burst Ray is pretty pathetic. But it gains a gigantic damage multiplier against surface elements. Turrets, shield generators, and engines will be destroyed in just a few volleys, leaving the capital ship vulnerable and unable to defend itself.

Against any other target, even light fighters, the Burst Ray will struggle to do any meaningful damage. It is highly specialized to strip capital ships of all their equipment. That is all it is good at. Outside of that specific niche, it is not very useful.

The Burst Ray is the player's best friend in the early game if they come across a marauding Xenon K. A single fighter equipped with those can easily remove any threat from the destructive Xenon ship, leaving it utterly helpless against any force, no matter how small. 

A part of the damage ignores the shields and damages the hull directly, so don't worry about the shielding on surface elements.

 

Advantages:
- Very cheap compared to the power it provides against capitals

- Extremely high damage against surface elements

- Heat is not an issue for its singular purpose

 

Disadvantages:

- Extremely low damage output against ships

- Only useful in destroying surface elements

- Rather short range

Specifications

 Small Mk1Small Mk2
Hull Damage Per Second2853
Sustained Hull Damage Per Second2542
Hull Damage Per Shot1612
Shield Damage Per Second20  +8 Hull32  +21 Hull
Sustained Shield Damage Per Second18  +7 Hull26  +16 Hull
Shield Damage Per Shot11  +5 Hull7  +5 Hull
Shots Per Second 1.84/s4.67/s
Damage Multiplier vs Surface Elements700%1300%
   
Bust Clip Size37
Burst Clip Shots Per Second6/s6/s
Burst Clip Reload Time1.5s0.5s
   
Maximum Range2000m2000m
Dispersion2.00°2.00°
Rotation Speed180°/s180°/s
   
Heat Generation Per Second199/s504/s
Heat Generation Per Shot108108
Heat Dissipation Per Second2000/s2500/s
Cooldown Delay When Overheating1.13s1.2s
Reactivates At After Overheating75007500

Construction Cost

Universal Build Method

 Small Mk1Small Mk2
Credits18.582 - 39.39856.299 - 108.078
Energy Cells1316
Weapon Components107
Advanced Electronics212