Why not have lasers that are actual lasers? I seem to recall that there were experiments with it years ago, but I can't remember. But my thought is that having lasers that are actually coherent beams mixed with plasma/particle weapons (what's in game now) and ballistic weapons would make for some widely varied gameplay. I'm not saying it would be better, but I think it would be worth the experimentation. Would that be something that CIG would consider testing or, if it's already been done, why was the idea left behind? EDIT: So after reading some of the comments (and learning what hitscan means) here's where my understanding lies. The mining laser is a hitscan tool. If it was used as a combat weapon, it would be woefully underpowered. The comments and the smallest bit of imagination make it easy to see how it can be obscenely overpowered. With just a little bit more imagination, I can see easily a hundred little ways that a hitscan weapon can be brought into the game, be balanced over the course of a few patches, and be available for most, if not all weapon, sizes. So why not do it? The only possible reasons I see are: 1. It does not fit in with Chris Roberts' and CIGs vision for the game. 2. It is simply not deemed worthy of the dedication of time and resources. 3. SpaceTy is stoopid and eats his own farts. All three seem perfectly valid to me.