As a proud Gallentean, I've recently been using the Ion Pistol as well as the submachine gun I was originally issued. Aside from the very limited range compared to other pistols, I've been enjoying it for the most part, but I've had some trouble with the charged shot, to the point that I've mostly given up on that aspect of the weapon. It does do a lot of damage, but the drawbacks make me question whether it's really worth it. I've heard that by the time a shot is fully charged you could have done more DPS by just shooting normally, and even if that's wrong I doubt it's wrong by much. Considering that firing normally also avoids the long seize time and has less chance (in my experience) of missing completely like a scrub, about the only things it seems really good for are ducking in and out of cover with a charged shot to try to shotgun whoever is standing on the other side of the wall (and waiting out the painful seize time, so only a foolish enemy would let you do it multiple times), and executing unsuspecting enemies standing still with headshots (e.g. people manning turrets).

Therefore, "surprise execution" seems like the main application, which is not only horribly limited but also seems like something the Scrambler Pistol might be able to do just as well with its huge headshot bonus. (Disclaimer: I haven't used the Scrambler Pistol enough to say that authoritatively.)

My first question to the forum is: Am I doing something wrong? What is the proper use for the charged shot?

The current benefit of leveling the Ion Pistol Operation skill to V is charging the charged shot a total of 25% faster, but this doesn't help the seize time at all so it seems like a very limited benefit, and it's a double edged sword as well since it becomes 25% easier to accidentally overheat the pistol (by partially charging shots) while trying to fire normally.

My second question is: Am I wrong about the Operation skill benefit being stupid, and would it be overpowered if the benefit was instead (or also) a reduction to seize duration?

Odd question but does the galenetes hip fire bonus count on the ion pistol?

Oh and on the skill bonus. Yes you are correct. **** THE OPERATION BONUS. It is USELESS. Its actually bad for the gun. When you skill into the operation you make it harder to use. It actually makes it overheat faster unless you are some sort of finger guru master. The tiny charge time reduction is not worth the increased heat build up per shot because it charges eat shot 25% more which leads to faster overheat.

Or literally anything else. It saddens me that it's been so long since the sidearm rebalancing and the IoP still isn't being looked at. Such a cool design, yet such wasted potential.