A powerful and more flux-efficient large slot energy weapon that deals hard flux is a big deal. We didn't have one before, Autopulse being more situational. And the old PC being unwieldy at best with its massive burst & flux cost. It's actually more powerful because it's weaker, if that makes sense. In that it can be used now.
Right about the Needler re. burst damage and phase. I hadn't accounted for these. It's still a little odd for the price, and especially when compared to the Heavy variant.