I remember engaging in beam combat in a nebula before version 6. My ships were armed with lasers, theirs with beams. Ranges were roughly equivalent.
Had he been able to keep his range open, he would have slaughtered me because near max range, even though he didn't hit me frequently he hit me hard, strength 6 compared to the 1s and 2s I was able to reply with when I could see through the dust. Only by coming in close was I able to apply suitable damage, against an unchanged assault.