Whatever is the point of laser pistol (GRA) when plasma pistol (GRA) exists?

[Tamiore]

Both are always available in Goodsprings General Store at lvl 1, and the price is effectively the same (200-300 caps depending on barter).

Both use SEC for ammo, so ammo availability is the same by definition.
Both are pistols using the same weapon skill, so they handle the same.

However, plasma pistol (GRA) has:
- much better damage per shot (even more so since DT is a thing)
- better damage per AP
- better damage per second
- better damage per energy cell
- better damage per % of durability

Available upgrades are either the same (recycler) or plasma pistol wins again (+7 damage vs +3).

Laser pistol might maybe have somewhat better accuracy outside of VATS at medium+ range, but given the fact that the damage is that much lower, I can't imagine in what realistic scenario this might come into play.
And, perhaps more to the point, why are you using a pistol at medium+ range in the first place..?

So, what's the deal here? Am I sleeping on some amazing hidden feature of a laser pistol?

[Salamand3r-]

The instant (effectively hitscan) nature of the projectile.

Plasma bolts are slower, and can miss more. Lasers are effectively an instant hit.

After that it's basically all aesthetics.

[psychotron666420]

There's also perks like laser Commander which only affect laser weapons and not plasma weapons.

[BaLuX]

Plasma Pistol also burns 2 x Ammo per shot.

[Tamiore]

Originally posted by BaLuX:

Plasma Pistol also burns 2 x Ammo per shot.

And still deals 33 damage per two cells — as opposed to 12 damage for one cell on laser pistol.

[psychotron666420]

Basically lasers shoot instantly, plasma is slow and easy to dodge (I side step plasma all the time). Lasers use less ammo, especially useful against weaker enemies where you don't need the extra oomph and burn the ammo. And with laser commando perk, it excels the laser pistol beyond the plasma pistol with extra damage and an extra equivalent to 10 luck points in Crit chance - super powerful perk.

[Tamiore]

Well, you've convinced me, I'll give it a try.
Usually I go cazador hunting at level 3 with a plasma pistol, this time around I'll try the laser pistol.

[Mennan]

Laser pistol also fires faster compared to the plasma. So if you need to use Vats u get 2x as many shots in.

[Tamiore]

Originally posted by Mennan:

Laser pistol also fires faster compared to the plasma. So if you need to use Vats u get 2x as many shots in.

It's still 12x2 vs 33x1 in VATS for 30 AP

[Tamiore]

After some field tests, I'd say that laser pistol is somewhat better against super-low-HP enemies (takes 1 SEC to kill vs 2).
But as we move up to cazadors, it fails to cripple a wing (from full AP bar) much more often (not enough damage).
And against anything with DT it sucks pretty bad compared to plasma.

[David.Dragonheart]

Laser weapons are better at range, and when firing (ADS or hipfire), laser tends to have a higher rate of fire.

Plasma weapons have slower projectiles, meaning plasma is poorly suited for anything beyond mid-range.

I also remember something along the lines of "lasers have more crit chance, plasma has more crit damage", with no confirmation if it's true or not. Feels that way, though.

If the target is faster than you and has distance, use lasers. If the target is slower or closer, plasma will do well. Beyond that, it's preference. I prefer laser weapons, myself.