So far, only two types of blasters have been introduced:
Single-wield Blaster Pistol (similar to a sling)
Two-Handed Blaster Rifle (similar to a crossbow)
The former can benefit from Rapid Shot, the latter requires Rapid Reload in order to keep up with the APR. Here are the suggestions regarding more blaster weapon types and how they can interact in order to achieve a similar feel to that we often see in the movies and by logic.
Current Blasters:
1H Blaster Pistol (capable of Rapid Shot, the current go-to for DPS)
2H Blaster Rifle (support role while inferior damage compared to all other weapons)
Suggested direction and additions once everything’s settled:
1H Blaster Pistol (Rapid Shot, support role, least amount of DPS)
DW Blaster Pistol (Rapid Shot + DW APR, highest ranged DPS vs low AC opponents)
2H Repeater Blaster Rifle (Rapid Shot, good ranged DPS vs medium AC opponents)
2H Blaster Sniper Rifle (Rapid Reload, low DPS output compared to other weapons due to low APR, but improved AB for better DPS vs High AC opponents)
2H Heavy Weapons (1APR no matter what, AoE damage on top of High single target dmg, touch-attack, will always deal damage even if AB didn’t exceed AC)
Change the current Recovery Blast perk under Blaster Rifles to become something similar to Kolto Bomb for either Throwing or Medicine skills. Allow 1H Blaster Pistol a perk to shoot a Heal-over-Time and single target heal with cooldown when 1H Blaster Pistols have the lowest DPS output. Disallow anyone who dual-wield blaster pistols to use said healing skills.
I understand it’s still some ways before we get that far, but it’d be nice to see if two-handed blaster rifles can have competitive DPS compared to dual-wielding blaster pistols. I’ve always wanted to play one of those clone troopers or cannon fodders, it’d be weird if the best options for any trooper type playthrough is pistol. (Save for Captain Rex, I guess, but he’s a different type of badass)