N18 Lasgun vs Autogun (with Math)

[HugeSamples]

Often when I'm making a list I have a hard time deciding how to equip gangers. I often come to the debate of Lasgun or Autogun and I never have a good answer.

So here is some math.

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BS4+ vs T3 Target

	Success	Fail (~)
P(short)	2/3	1/3
P(long)	1/2	1/2
P(S3)	1/2	1/2
P(S4)	2/3	1/3

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Lasgun:
P(long) * P(S3) = 1/4 = 25%
P(short) * P(S3) = 1/3 = 33.3%

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Hotshot-Lasgun:
P(long) * P(S4) = 1/3 = 33.3%
P(short) * P(S4) = 4/9 = 44.4%

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Autogun (at least one wound):
One Shot:
P(long) * P(S3) = 1/4 = 25%
P(short) * P(S3) = 1/3 = 33.3%

Two Shots:
P(long) * [1-P(~S3)^2] = 3/8 = 37.5%
P(short) * [1-P(~S3)^2] = 1/2 = 50.0%

Three Shots:
P(long) * [1-P(~S3)^3] = 7/16 = 43.8%
P(short) * [1-P(~S3)^3] = 7/12 = 58.3%

Average (taken from shots available on the firepower dice--1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3):
Long = 31/96 = 32.3%
Short = 31/72 = 43.1%

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Summary (chance to cause at least one wound vs T3):

	Long	Short
Lasgun	25%	33%
Hotshot Lasgun	33.3%	44.4%
Autogun	32.3%	43.1%

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BS4+ vs T4 or T5 Target

Same method as above using the following probabilities:

	Success	Fail (~)
P(short)	2/3	1/3
P(long)	1/2	1/2
P(S3)	1/3	2/3
P(S4)	1/2	1/2

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Summary (chance to cause at least one wound vs T4 or T5):

	Long	Short
Lasgun	16.7%	22.2%
Hotshot Lasgun	25.0%	33.3%
Autogun	23.5%	31.3%

 

[Heart of Storm]

Good maths crunch, holds with my general experience that the autogun is better than the base lasgun at killing.

What this doesn't take into account is that the lasguns short range is 10" longer than an autoguns, so the lasgun is better at hitting people from longer range.

So if what you're looking for is a back liner to pin people, get a lasgun, if you want someone to move up the board and kill something, get an autogun.

 

[Lord_Ikka]

There's also the issue of Ammo Checks/Reloading. A basic lasgun has a high likelihood of not failing an ammo check roll (2+, so 1/6 chance of failure) and is also Plentiful, so if there is a failed ammo check then there is no possibility of a wasted action the next turn to reload. An autogun has a 50% chance of failing an ammo check and then another 50% chance of failing the next turn trying to reload.

Lasguns are highly reliable, more accurate at longer ranges, and the exact same price as an autogun. The autogun has the potential get extra hits via Rapid Fire, but is also more likely to go out of ammo. Neither is much of a killing weapon, lacking both strength and armor penetration/high damage to consistently put wounds onto enemies, so they are both pinning weapons. Really, it comes down to availability (not all gangs have access to all basic weapons without visiting the TP), cost (some gangs get a discount one lasguns), and personal preference (some like the look of one over the other), but overall the lasgun is probably the best low-credit weapon to outfit a standard ganger.

 

[daveh]

where does a worn out autogun on a stick fit into this?

 

[HugeSamples]

What this doesn't take into account is that the lasguns short range is 10" longer than an autoguns, so the lasgun is better at hitting people from longer range.

I'd probably compare the Autogun long range probabilities to the Lasgun short range probabilities in that case. An Autogun is going to be at long range most of the time, while a Lasgun is going to be at short range most of the time.

 

[MusingWarboss]

where does a worn out autogun on a stick fit into this?

Same place as reclaimed ones… you’re gonna struggle to reload.

But at least on a stick you can poke your opponent from a distance.

So here is some math.

I appreciate the calculations but let’s not forget, the designers most likely did none of this and went on “feels right”.

Which it’s why it’s dangerous to go down this route, we all know some weapons will outshine all others, especially in the hands of certain fighters.

Problem is, at that point you just end up playing Horus Heresy, with everyone armoured and tooled up the same - which is not supposed to be the philosophy of Necromunda.

If this game was mathematically balanced then it would probably be made by another company.

 

[HugeSamples]

I appreciate the calculations but let’s not forget, the designers most likely did none of this and went on “feels right”.

That's a fair, and sad point.

In this case I think things are close enough that you won't "gimp yourself" choosing one over the other.

 

[Lunarcruiser]

where does a worn out autogun on a stick fit into this?

Nowhere. Any gun on a stick should be the MIGHTY BLUNDERPOLE!!!!
All praises to the emperor!!!!!

 

[Lunarcruiser]

You forget the lasgun let's you go "pew pew" whenever you fire it.

 

[Gdolkin]

Ah but Autoguns go dakkadakkadakka!

 

[Beebopalulla]

You also have to take into account who is buying what. A lasgun for an escher is only 5 cred. That has a big impact in the begining of a campaign.