Range

Overview

Much is made of the advantage of the Terran Enforcer being a "ranged warrior" but in reality ALL weapons in Earth & Beyond are ranged weapons, it is simply a matter of the degree, how that range functions, and what you can do with it.

Mechanics

Weapon Types

The three types of weapons available are:

1. Beams (~2K)
2. Missile Launchers (~6K)
3. Projectile Launchers (~4K)

The two types of launchers use ammo and you might think that would make them more similar with beams being the outlier but in many respects Beams and Projectile Launchers have more in common with one another.

Directionality

One thing that both Beams and Projectile Launchers have in common is the fact that you must be facing your target in order to shoot at it. Missile Launchers are an outlier in that you can fire no matter which direction you're facing which makes them well suited to firing on the run, i.e. kiting.

Source of Range

Another thing that Beams and Projectile Launchers have in common is that their range is derived from the weapon itself, unlike Missile Launchers where the range is defined by the ammo (i.e. the missiles). As a result there is no range listed on Missile Launchers and Projectile Ammo.

Comparative Ranges

Beams and Projectile Launchers also have comparatively shorter ranges; the hierarchy of ranges at the top end are roughly as follows:

1. Beams (~2K)
2. Projectile Launchers (~4K)
3. Missiles (~6K)

Given how fast ships move however the main relevance of this is simply whether the enemy is in range to shoot you while you're in range to shoot it with missile users being the only ones routinely able to exceed the range of most enemies. This is also compounded by the fact that Terrans primarily use missiles and they also have the best engines.