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First: Most weps in X games have 'bullet (I prefer to call it 'shot') speed' inversely proportional to how powerful they are (the wep's 'heaviness rating'), so the more powerful (ie dmg dealt on hit) they are, the slower their shot speed & alignment time. Therefore plasma cannons all around are highly unlikely to get more than a single hit on a fast fighter or similar before the gnat pummels you with its faster-firing weps, if it survives the initial blast. Usually resulting in 'game over'. That being said, stock beam weps are effectively insta-hit (given the targeting mechanics detailed above), but are so low-powered that their dmg is often next to useless as they'll take forever to disable even a single scout before its shields recharge & it comes back again
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