Engineers Plasma Accelerator Long Range vs Focused?

[Ice04]

Hi guys,

I tried 2x Huge efficient PAs von my Corvette, while they are very nice , I sometimes have trouble hitting smaller targets. So I consider changing them to Long Range or Focused PAs because of the increased projectile speed. But should I go for Long Range or Focused for PvE, which one is better? And what exp.effect should I use? Oversized?
Should I even consider Overcharged PAs? Never tried them, are they worth the incresed heat + power distributor draw?

 

[biohazard15]

Only Focused has increased thermal load (+5% on G5), and both Focused and Long Range offer the same shot speed (1750 m\s). Distributor draw is identical. Pre-3.0, it was about materials: G5 LR needs CIFs, and CIFs were hard to obtain back then (not to mention the fact you might've needed plenty of them to obtain thermal load secondary). Now, it's actually easier to craft LR than Focused.
Overcharged PAs are too hard on distributor, even smaller ones and with weapon-focused distributor. Do not use them.

BUT.

There is no special effect for thermal load reduction. Old pre-3.0 PAs used secondary effects for this (I own two Focused PAs with -22.8% thermal load on each - such guns are impossible to craft in 3.0). And without this effect, you are looking at HOT guns. You will need beams with thermal vent to cool your ship if you plan to use them.
FD presumably knows about this problem, and Sandro promised to look at it in future patches.

 

[Gun Star]

I use twin focused G5 huge PA's with Thermal Conduit. I use the heat to my advantage with it increasing damage output based on my heat. I cook my Vette all the time and it doesn't effect anything really. It will slowly damage you modules, but it is minimal. I like the armor piercing aspect of focused

 

[Ice04]

Thanks guys, helps me a lot!

 

[biohazard15]

I use twin focused G5 huge PA's with Thermal Conduit. I use the heat to my advantage with it increasing damage output based on my heat. I cook my Vette all the time and it doesn't effect anything really. It will slowly damage you modules, but it is minimal. I like the armor piercing aspect of focused

PAs has 100 AP, so Focused don't really add anything to it.

Occasional overheat is fine, but regular overheat can and will damage your internals so much they will start malfunctioning. This will happen even faster if you have mods that decrease integrity (basically every mod except armored, sturdy and such)