I've been extensively using AR's in this beta and I have to say, it's not really worth upgrading my assault rifle skills so that I can hold these so called "advanced" assault rifles. I've used both, and I honestly don't feel any particular difference between them. The damage, firing rate, etc... appears to be almost identical to cheaper models. I don't see any point to spend 20000+ ISK per AR when I can spend 5k and get pretty much the same thing.

The weapons models themselves all pretty much look identical to. I would like to see some more varied designs.

What I have noticed is the starting ARs are far too accurate. That should have been the major difference between the higher tier ones and the lower ones.

So wait, they made Prototype weapons more expensive while simultaneously nerfing their effectiveness? Man, I'm loving this patch more and more.

Yes, yes they did. Creodron breach is no more...

It's not solely a comparison of the BASE stats... you have to factor in your Character's Skills as well..

These values are close, but not completely accurate for each value.

For example, say a basic AR does 30 damage per shot you have weaponry 5, AR operation 5 and AR proficieny 5... that's 30% increase from skills... so you're looking at 39 damage per shot from the standard.

The advanced does 33 damage per shot, 42.9 Damage per shot after skills.

Prototype does 36 damage per shot 46.8 Damage per shot.

This isn't inclusive of any Damage Modifiers you may be using also... which, though they suffer diminishing returns, stack on top of this 'Character-base Damage'

So, Basic, 39 per shot with 1 Complex Damage Modifier = 42.9 Damage per shot

Advanced 42.9 per shot with 1 Complex Damage Modifier =47.19 Damage per shot

Prototype 46.8 per shot with 1 Complex Damage modifier = 51.48 Damage per shot

So on and so forth... the Second Damag Modifier giving you 80% of the bonus, and the third 50%. (That's according to EVE Online reduction of benefits formula)

The difference does become quite noticeable... and when every shot counts...

It's not solely a comparison of the BASE stats... you have to factor in your Character's Skills as well..

These values are close, but not completely accurate for each value.

For example, say a basic AR does 30 damage per shot you have weaponry 5, AR operation 5 and AR proficieny 5... that's 30% increase from skills... so you're looking at 39 damage per shot from the standard.

The advanced does 33 damage per shot, 42.9 Damage per shot after skills.

Prototype does 36 damage per shot 46.8 Damage per shot.

This isn't inclusive of any Damage Modifiers you may be using also... which, though they suffer diminishing returns, stack on top of this 'Character-base Damage'

So, Basic, 39 per shot with 1 Complex Damage Modifier = 42.9 Damage per shot

Advanced 42.9 per shot with 1 Complex Damage Modifier =47.19 Damage per shot

Prototype 46.8 per shot with 1 Complex Damage modifier = 51.48 Damage per shot

So on and so forth... the Second Damag Modifier giving you 80% of the bonus, and the third 50%. (That's according to EVE Online reduction of benefits formula)

The difference does become quite noticeable... and when every shot counts...