Heavy Laser

Overview
The Heavy Laser can be considered the big brother of the Phaser.

Compared to Phasers, Heavy Lasers have superior range and similar damage output at longer range, but deals less damage at closer ranges, and is larger, making it a bigger target.

Usage
Because of their longer range, Heavy Lasers can be equipped on bigger, slower ships.

They work rather well on Battleships because of their ability to take a beating and generally large sizes allowing for many lasers. Cruisers can also make good use of them due to similar reasons.

Heavy Lasers on Destroyers can deal good damage at the cost of survivability. Using the Tactical Jump Module, they can be used to deal surprise attacks on enemies Gauss Cannons. For this, having good speed and turning is recommended.

Similar to Phasers, speed-boosting modules like the Tactical Jump and Engine Overload are required to take full advantage. Overall, Heavy Beam's make good medium range weapons

Countering
Like all beam weapons, Heavy Beam's have shorter range than other tier 2 weapons, meaning targets need to get close to deal damage. Sniping them from afar using Uber Cannons or Gauss Cannons is a good strategy, since ships using them will usually be slow. However, care must be taken not to allow them get within range, especially from behind

Using tanky Battleships also act as a strong counter, since they can tank some of the damage output of Heavy Beam

Trivia

 * The Heavy Beam is the longest-range Hitscan weapon