I am sure this has been asked a thousand times but…. Particle Beams or Lasers?
Once Advanced Spinal Mounts are researched it seems particles beams can not compete, but am I missing something?
In my limited experience the main limit on anti-ship laser weapons is the range of the fire control sensor, not the range of the weapon itself. I find that my fire controls typically out range my particle beams, but are vastly out ranged by lasers.
This results in laser doing more damage at close ranges, particle beams doing more damage at medium ranges all the way up to their maximum range, and lasers doing damage beyond the range maximum range of particle beams.
However, if an advanced spinal mount is used on the laser it suddenly does more damage than the particle beams except at the particle beams maximum ranges, but the laser can still damage beyond that range.
I understand you need to be able to control the range of a combat to maximise particle beams advantages. But if I can control the range why not sit out of range of enemy particles beam range and use lasers myself? Or close to very close range and use lasers to devastation?