DevBlog 6.5: Energy Weapons (Patreon)

This is a MAJOR overhaul of the game's energy weapons, with the goal of shifting from universally customizable platforms, to specific weapons classes. Pistols are now pistols. Rifles are now rifles (yes, I know lasers don't need rifling, but w/e), and manual/auto are different base weapons, all with different ammo types. Plasma weapons are now Shotguns class (and only found as shotguns). As for ballistic weapons these "class rules" apply for standard-distribution weapons, with the uniques being allowed to break the rules and cross over. The basic idea is that instead of a single 1-size-fits-all universally customizable approach to energy weapons, I can open up new niches for integrating different modded weapons.

Ammo Types and Weapon Classes

Energy Cell - Laser Pistols

• Energy cells are restricted to the Laser Pistol class of weapons.

• FNV4 Laser Pistol, and the Zap Gun

Microfusion Cell - Laser Rifles

• Laser Rifles (manual, using Rifleman). Automatic barrels, and Splitter muzzles are no longer available for these

•  Standard laser rifles are treated as "manual": you don't have to reload between every shot, but there is a much more significant delay before the weapon is ready to fire again.

Electron Charge Pack - Automatic Lasers (Institute)

•  Institute Lasers - always fully automatic. Non-automatic barrels and splitters muzzles are no longer available for these

Plasma Cartridge - Plasma Shotguns

•  Plasma weapons have been changed to a shotgun class weapon. Pistol versions are removed, and only the Splitter and Flamer barrels are available.

•  Basic plasma shotgun is "manual", using rifleman with a similar delay added as standard lasers to mimic manual, and the institute version (Micalov's Institute Plasma Defender) is "semi-auto" (however both use the same plasma cartridge ammo) and uses Commando.

Fusion Core - Heavy

•  not really any changes here.

Additionally, energy weapons now use the same Ammo Health system as fusion cores, inspired by Fusion Cells Are Batteries, however it's my own fully-custom implementation.

• Energy Cells - 6 shots

• Microfusion Cells - 8 shots

• Electron Charge Packs - 20 shots

• Plasma Cartridge - 5 Shots

Values and weights have been adjusted to match the number of shots these now give. There are uniques that change how many shots are consumed, e.g. the Cross Break Action Laser now has a differential ammo drain per shot, instead of taking extra ammo per shot.

The Cryolater now uses ECPs, and the Gamma Gun now uses Energy Cells.