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The Light Plasma Rifle is a weapon in XCOM: Enemy Unknown.

In-Game Description[]

This lightweight rifle functions on the same principle as our other plasma weapon concepts - a jet of ionized gas discharged through a focused magnetic field. The lightweight frame greatly improves the overall accuracy of the weapon.

Availability[]

The Light Plasma Rifle becomes available for production in Engineering after completing the Light Plasma Rifle research. Additionally, after the research, the soldiers can use Light Plasma Rifles acquired by capturing live aliens, in particular Thin Men, Floaters, and Outsiders. Mutons will use these weapons during the first month they are encountered, then switch to full-sized Plasma Rifles.

Production Cost:

XCOM: Enemy Unknown, all difficulties: XCOM: Enemy Within, Classic & Impossible difficulties:

Tactical Info[]

▪  A lower damage variant of the Plasma Rifle
▪  Carries a +10 Aim bonus
– Tactical Info, XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Notes[]

  • The Light Plasma Rifle's Critical Damage is incorrectly listed as 8-10 in XCOM: Enemy Within.
  • Does the same amount of damage as a Laser Rifle.
  • When combined with a S.C.O.P.E., this weapon can be fantastic for a build focused on concentrated fire.
  • By mid-game, this is probably the best weapon to arm your Rookies with, as the Aim bonus is very helpful to offset their low base Aim. Even in the hands of your veteran troopers, the Aim bonus essentially gives them a free S.C.O.P.E. without equipping it, and an even greater bonus if they have one.
  • The lower damage isn't as important against weaker enemies, and having a majority of troops equipped with it gives a higher chance of eradicating more trivial enemies. This is especially valuable on Council and anti-EXALT missions, especially the former as a Light Plasma Rifle shot that connects with a Thin Man is a guaranteed kill on any difficulty below Impossible.
  • When used by XCOM Soldiers or Outsiders, the Light Plasma Rifle's shots have no impact sound. This also happens with the Heavy Plasma.
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