Now that the force update is done I wanted to suggest this for the next rework, because honestly blasters are not in a happy place.
My suggestion is
Rename Current Pistols to Heavy Pistols
Make Light Pistols work off sling base (This allows using shields)
Blaster rifles become Longbow base (this gives them access to rapid shot)
Light Crossbows become Heavy Blasters
Heavy crossbows become Blaster canons
Light pistols should have the smallest damage numbers (Because they are able to be used with a shield)
Heavy Pistols and Rifles should be roughly the same, one could have more accuracy base and the other more damage, I would be inclined to make Rifles more accurate, and heavy pistols more damaging
Heavy Blasters should be things like sniper rifles and other long range high damage, but with the lower apr.
And Canons should be single shot (No rapid reload) But high damage.
Perks also need some rethinking
From what we currently have.
We have general firearms
PBS, Zen, And Plasma Cell.
These seem fine.
I would then divide this into
Blaster Pistols
Blaster Rifles
Blaster Cannons
For Pistols I would want to see
Keep
Rapid Shot, Improved Critical, Weapon Focus
Add in Recovery Blast, Tranquilizer, Mass Tranquilizer
For Rifles (which includes heavy blasters)
Keep
Rapid Shot, Improved Critical, Weapon Focus
Add in Leg Shot
for Canons I would say they need
Improved Critial, Weapon Focus.
That covers the old perks.
As for new perks I am having trouble thinking of some but thematic wise I would like to see
Pistols
More support focused, some damage abilities.
Rifles
More damage focused, some precise shooting things.
Canons
Damage and AOE focus.
Going to try to work out some actual good new perks and put them here when I am happy with them.