Board Thread:Off Topic/@comment-38854975-20190905144044/@comment-25396609-20191101203834

A directed plasma stream is more damaging and works faster with a similar dissipation rate.

For a laser to really be effective you need sustained contact; while plasma (being superheated gas) delivers more energy faster leading to some pretty wicked burns; also easier to work Dust into.

Another advantage of plasma over lasers is the ability to integrate it into melee weapons; containment within a magnetic field enables such fun toys as  plasma 'chainsaws', halberds, swords, etc. Can't do that with lasers.

While plasma and bullets can be effected by wind, you're overlooking a MASSIVE weakness; scattering. Light defuses VERY quickly in any sort of atmosphere; substantially limiting the effective range.

The true best option for a long-ranged fighter is no less awesome and far more effective; gauss and rail based electromagnetic weapons.

Lasers are cool, but they're better in a lab or a machine shop than they are on the battlefield.