Can you survive with lasers only?

[Fried Noodles]

I'm still early on.
I've just unlocked the Cruiser build, but lack the resources/tech to use up all the hexes I'm allowed.

I've unlocked a few weapon research options but haven't cared to use most of them.
I do enjoy the lasers though. I've got four Mk.1 lasers installed on my ship and only two sets of Mk.2 Plasma.

The lasers seem to do much more damage than the plasma thing. I've filled out nearly all the research/upgrades attached to lasers. (But also to Plasma as I was using it exclusively before).

Could your ship function against more difficult enemies if lasers are the only weapon you're carrying?

[Bearsuit]

I would think that using Havok as a secondary would still be really helpful. I have one installed and using all plasma otherwise, and its working well. Lasers being more powerful, I don't see why not?

[TekDragon]

With the max range upgrade on lasers and T3 reactors (or enough T2), I can't see why it would be a problem. You should just be able to lock on and kite, using your plasma turrets for anti-missile defense.

The nice thing about lasers is that they're recessed turrets. I use fixed guns and while they're disgustingly powerful, able to wipe out even larger ships with ease, they are vulnerable to enemy fire. With lasers, you can just surround 3 sides of your shift with deflectors and call it a day. Later on when you've got shields, that's another layer of defense.

[Wlerin]

I tried doing this in EA and it didn't work very well. Lasers can be decent at point defense or fantastic at ripping enemy ships to pieces but they can't really do both at the same time. You need a second weapon system for PD, and Plasma is the obvious choice since most players will have already upgraded them completely by the time they unlock Lasers. (Also plasma can be autofired at the nearest target with G).

[El Basto]

Yes. Just keep some basic plasma for point defense. Example: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3325411464

[Bleys]

With my setup im doing 160dps with plasma and 60 with lasers... and with some nice frontal deflectors i just ram any ship and erase it in seconds. Honestly combat feels a little broken.

[Gamerzilla]

Originally posted by Bleys:

With my setup im doing 160dps with plasma and 60 with lasers... and with some nice frontal deflectors i just ram any ship and erase it in seconds. Honestly combat feels a little broken.

You aren't meant to have a dreadnought maxed out for the end of the story, those are just for fun. Of course its easy at that point. But if you play on very hard, enemy numbers are tripled. See how easy the game is when your starter ship is harassed by 4+ ships that will chase you forever unless you teleport away, even in the first couple systems XD

[shiantar]

Not only is it possible to play the game with just lasers
it's possible to complete the game while using just one weapon module period.
(it's difficult, but not impossible. I've tried it out with a laser, and with a plasma turret, and it's possible as a kind of Hardcore mode)