Guide to Weapons

By: Attilio

Below are a number of tables which list the type of weapons you'll find in STO as well as the various damage types. It's important to understand that each of these is unique and provides different benefits depending on how you use them. When it comes to space weapons, a common suggestion is to stick with one damage type. You can get tactical consoles which boosts that specific damage. Mixing damage types will make you much weaker.

IMPORTANT The damage types listed below are the basic ones. Some weapons come with multiple types such as Phased Disruptors which have a Disruptor damage type with the Phaser bonus. Make sure you read the description of the weapons you are using to get a better understanding of it.

ENERGY WEAPON	DESCRIPTION
Beam Array	Beam of energy within a 250' arc.
Dual Beams	Beam of energy within a 90' arc.
Turret	Rapid beam shots fired in a 360' arc.
Cannons	Rapid beam shots fired in a 180' arc.
Dual Cannons	Rapid beam shots fired in a 45' arc.
Dual Heavy Cannons	Rapid beam shots fired in a 45' arc.
Quad Heavy Cannons	Rapid beam shots fired in a 45' arc.
PROJECTILE WEAPON	DESCRIPTION
Torpedo	Projectile that fires in the direction of an enemy.
Mine	Sits in one location but will target/move to a nearby enemy.

ENERGY DAMAGE	DESCRIPTION
Antiproton	Does more critical damage than other types.
Disruptor	Chance to weaken an enemy ship's resistance to damage.
Phaser	Chance to disable one enemy subsytem.
Plasma	Chance cause plasma damage over a period of time.
Polaron	Chance drop enemy power levels.
Tetryon	Chance weaken enemy shields.
PROJECTILE DAMAGE	DESCRIPTION
Chroniton	Can reduce enemy flight speed and turn rate.
Photon	Basic torpedo that causes more damage than others (except Quantum and Tricobolt) and has faster firing rate.
Plasma	Can cause plasma damage over a period of time.
Transphasic	Can cause some damage that passes through shields.
Tricobolt	Can cause large amounts of damage but are slow and destructable.
Quantum	Strongest basic torpedo (aside from Tricobolt) and has slower firing rate.

WEAPON TYPE	ATTACK TYPE	DESCRIPTION
Pistols
Stun Pistol	Expose	Holds enemy.
Wide Beam Pistol	Expose	Affects enemies within target area. Knocks enemy back.
Dual Pistols	Expose	Use two pistols. Affects enemies within target area. Increased critical severity.
Compression Pistol	Exploit	Chance to knock enemy back.
Rifles
High Density Beam Rifle	Exploit	Repel enemy
Pulse Rifle	Expose	Affects enemies within target area. Chance to knock enemy back.
Sniper Rifle	Exploit	Increased damage. Chance to knock enemy back.
Split Beam Rifle	Exploit	Attacks multiple enemies
Assault
Blast Assault	Expose	Affects enemies within target area. Chance to knock enemy back.
Auto-Targeting Assault	Exploit	Affects enemies within target area.
Full Auto Assault	Expose	Affects enemies within target area.
Arcwave Assault	Expose	Affects enemies within target area. Chance to knock enemy back.

DAMAGE TYPE	DESCRIPTION
Antiproton	Can cause more critical damage than other types.
Disruptor	Chance to weaken an enemy's resistance to damage.
Phaser	Chance to stun your enemy.
Plasma	Chance to cause plasma damage over a period of time.
Polaron	Chance to disable enemy weapon.
Tetryon	Chance to weaken enemy shields.