{"id":190,"date":"2020-05-03T23:34:14","date_gmt":"2020-05-03T23:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/?p=190"},"modified":"2026-03-29T20:11:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T20:11:16","slug":"best-ground-gun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/best-ground-gun\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Ground Gun? Plasma Wide Beam Rifle vs. Assault Squad Phaser Rifle (A.K.A. Phaser Full Auto Rifle (Dsc))"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>What makes a ground gun the &#8220;best&#8221;? Single big hits? The ability to hit multiple enemies at once (AE damage)? Rate of fire? Specific enemies? There&#8217;s a lot to it, and the best answer is that there isn&#8217;t one best weapon for every situation. But what about the best weapon for the most situations? The best <em>all-around <\/em>weapon?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I had a few considerations for testing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"my_ul wp-block-list\"><li>Parsed on solo maps, since teamwork isn&#8217;t what we&#8217;re testing.<\/li><li>No damage-dealing kit abilities, since we&#8217;re testing guns not kits.<\/li><li>Buffing kits that add damage to weapons are valid.<\/li><li>Buff kits are being spammed mindlessly, but hopefully consistently and evenly among test runs.<\/li><li>Tested on Elite difficulty only.<\/li><li>Tested in the mission &#8220;Signs &amp; Portents&#8221; . Tzenkethi are some of the most durable enemies in STO, making them ideal for testing single-target effectiveness.<\/li><li>Tested in the mission, &#8220;Home&#8221;. The Hur&#8217;q are fantastic swarming enemies, ideal for testing effectiveness against many smaller enemies.<br><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull my_post_item_info_group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignfull is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column my_gun_image_col is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"279\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/PlasmaWideBeamRifle.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/PlasmaWideBeamRifle.png 279w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/PlasmaWideBeamRifle-203x300.png 203w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 279px) 100vw, 279px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/stowiki.net\/wiki\/Plasma_Wide_Beam_Rifle\" target=\"_blank\">Plasma Wide Beam Rifle<\/a> <\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>My perennial favorite has been the Plasma Wide Beam Rifle for it&#8217;s quick firing rate, long range (&#8220;best in class&#8221; 35 meters), and amazingly powerful secondary AE attack (5 targets, exploit, also 35 meters). This weapon can be purchased from a vendor, making it easily obtainable by anybody.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull my_post_item_info_group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignfull is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"279\" height=\"411\" src=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/AssaultSquadPhaserRifle.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/AssaultSquadPhaserRifle.png 279w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/AssaultSquadPhaserRifle-204x300.png 204w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 279px) 100vw, 279px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/stowiki.net\/wiki\/Assault_Squad_Phaser_Rifle\" target=\"_blank\">Assault Squad Phaser Rifle<\/a> <br>(<a href=\"https:\/\/stowiki.net\/wiki\/Phaser_Full_Auto_Rifle_(Dsc)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Phaser Full Auto Rifle (Dsc)<\/a>)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The Phaser Full Auto Rifle (Dsc), available from the Lobi store, is a new fan favorite. It fires in a 1-2-3 burst, while retaining high damage for all three shots.  The variant I use in these tests, the Assault Squad Phaser Rifle, was available for a short time as a mission reward and is said to be identical.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#ffe82e\" class=\"has-inline-color\">The Play Tests<\/mark><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group my_post_group_weapontest\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 class=\"my_post_h5_nobottonmargin wp-block-heading\">Assault Squad Phaser &#8211; Signs &amp; Portents<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Star Trek Online - Rifle test - Assault Squad Phaser - Portents 4 2020 05 03 14 04 09\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hiaK1lF98cM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-4-Assault-Squad-Phaser-Rifle.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"348\" src=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-4-Assault-Squad-Phaser-Rifle-1024x348.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-191\" srcset=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-4-Assault-Squad-Phaser-Rifle-1024x348.png 1024w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-4-Assault-Squad-Phaser-Rifle-300x102.png 300w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-4-Assault-Squad-Phaser-Rifle-768x261.png 768w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-4-Assault-Squad-Phaser-Rifle-1536x523.png 1536w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-4-Assault-Squad-Phaser-Rifle-1200x408.png 1200w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-4-Assault-Squad-Phaser-Rifle.png 1622w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Rifle Test Portents 4 &#8211; Assault Squad Phaser Rifle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It pretty much kills whatever it is pointed at. It&#8217;s hard to complain about a weapon like this!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group my_post_group_weapontest\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 class=\"my_post_h5_nobottonmargin wp-block-heading\">Plasma Wide Beam Rifle &#8211; Signs &amp; Portents<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Star Trek Online - Rifle test - Plasma Wide Beam - Portents 2020 05 02 18 36 11\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uRXADQWGYRo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-1-Plasma-Wide-Beam-Rifle.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"373\" src=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-1-Plasma-Wide-Beam-Rifle-1024x373.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-1-Plasma-Wide-Beam-Rifle-1024x373.png 1024w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-1-Plasma-Wide-Beam-Rifle-300x109.png 300w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-1-Plasma-Wide-Beam-Rifle-768x279.png 768w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-1-Plasma-Wide-Beam-Rifle-1536x559.png 1536w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-1-Plasma-Wide-Beam-Rifle-1200x437.png 1200w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rifle-Test-Portents-1-Plasma-Wide-Beam-Rifle.png 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Rifle Test Portents 1 &#8211; Plasma Wide Beam Rifle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The wide-beam secondary attack really shines!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Plasma-Wide-Beam-on-Home-elite-2785_09.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Plasma-Wide-Beam-on-Home-elite-2785_09-1024x326.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Plasma-Wide-Beam-on-Home-elite-2785_09-1024x326.png 1024w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Plasma-Wide-Beam-on-Home-elite-2785_09-300x96.png 300w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Plasma-Wide-Beam-on-Home-elite-2785_09-768x245.png 768w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Plasma-Wide-Beam-on-Home-elite-2785_09-1536x490.png 1536w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Plasma-Wide-Beam-on-Home-elite-2785_09-1200x382.png 1200w, https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Plasma-Wide-Beam-on-Home-elite-2785_09.png 1732w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>2785 DPS sustained for over 3 minutes. It could be sustained even longer, but where do you find the enemies? \ud83d\ude42<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What makes a ground gun the &#8220;best&#8221;? Single big hits? The ability to hit multiple enemies at once (AE damage)? Rate of fire? Specific enemies? There&#8217;s a lot to it, and the best answer is that there isn&#8217;t one best weapon for every situation. But what about the best weapon for the most situations? The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sto-ground"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=190"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1087,"href":"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190\/revisions\/1087"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/informationanarchy.org\/sto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}