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[TJJ]

For sustained engagements the IR pulse is clearly superior to the AM blaster, as it has:

-Better overall DPS (106 vs 98)
-Higher flux efficiency (0.697 dps/fps vs 0.671 dps/fps )
-Longer range (500 vs 400)
-Infinite ammo (vs only 20 shots)
-lesser ordnance point cost (6 vs 9)
-lower peak flux (AM blaster's high peak flux leads to accidental overloads more frequently)

For hit & run engagements the new burst mechanic of the Burst PD laser make it superior to the AM blaster, as it has:

-Better DPS (184 vs 98)
-Higher flux efficiency (0.785 dps/fps vs 0.671 dps/fps )
-Longer range (500 vs 400)
-Infinite ammo (vs only 20 shots)
-lesser ordnance point cost (8 vs 9)
-lower peak flux (AM blaster's high peak flux leads to accidental overloads more frequently)


For hit & run, take the Burst PD laser
For knife fights, take the IR pulse

What's the intended purpose of the AM blaster?

[WKOB]

Big targets, the IR pulse is fun but if you need to take down a cruiser or the like you can't afford to sit there and whittle away with it. The anti-matter you can get in, fire and get out.

DPS is irrelevant in this sort of circumstance.

[TJJ]

Big targets, the IR pulse is fun but if you need to take down a cruiser or the like you can't afford to sit there and whittle away with it. The anti-matter you can get in, fire and get out.

DPS is irrelevant in this sort of circumstance.

I've redrafted my initial post to highlight that the new burst mechanic of the burst PD laser fills this niche.
IMO this renders the AM blaster (in it's current form) somewhat redundant.

[WKOB]

I haven't used the .52 Burst PD yet but it's always been pretty trash outside of a PD role, I doubt that's changed much.

[Vandala]

AM blaster does a 1000 damage in a single shot, the IR pulse needs 10 second of sustained fire to accomplish the same thing.

That's the whole purpose of the AM blaster, insane instant damage for killing large ships, it's a small mount, even frigates can mount it.

Plus losing a single small energy mount to deal a 1000 points of damage instantly 20 times in a battle isn't much of a loss for almost any ship.

[TJJ]

Just realized; Burst PD is considered beam damage, so is ventable flux and thus useless for hit & run attacks.

[Vandala]

Just realized; Burst PD is considered beam damage, so is ventable flux and thus useless for hit & run attacks.

Burst PD is great against missiles, fighter-wings and cutting throe armor when shields are down. Other then that its useless. Too bad it costs so much point to fields these things.

[Alrenous]

Antimatter cracks armour better than any energy weapon short of a tachyon lance. It's also great for things like sniping hounds.
Burst damage makes things die before they can shoot back.


So let's say two seconds, the burst PD will get off 3-4 shots. Two in the capacitor, and then more depending on when exactly the refill timer starts after it shoots. 330-440 damage. The AMB will get off 1000.

On 500 armour, the PD will hit the damage bound, 25%, and do about 28 a shot. The AMB does 667, instantly smashing a hole. For the PD to do more than 25%, the armour has to be below 330. Nothing in the game can make the AMB hit the damage bound.


I've never managed to run out of antimatter to shoot.

[Kommodore Krieg]

Isn't it obvious?  The difference between 1000 damage front loaded instantly and 1000 damage over X seconds is pretty substantial.  It means they fulfill very different roles and are both very useful in those particular roles.