lolwrothy topic. The standard/advanced lasers are basically identical. The only difference is that the Elm-7 overheats at around 16 rounds left in the clip while standard does it on 20. Thats not really a point for using the Elm-7 (advanced) that requires more CPU/PG/ISK for such a tiny advantage. And dont forget both weapons have the same identical damage (15HP). The base damage with the viziam is 20 but it goes very fast up the more heat that thing is building up. And lasers have beeing changed on this build cause the advanced and proto overheat much quicker then they did before. However the skillbook itself does nothing even though its supposed to lower the heat up rate. The main reason why you think the laser is overpowred is because you cant fight it on medium-long range with a AR. And for people saying they drop fast here is the answer:
scouts= minimal health and very easy to kill (like they do against any weapon)
assaults= 90% of the time they focus on shields and with that they are extreme weak against lasers
heavys= slow and big targets, very easy to keep the beam on them
Logis= die a bit slower then scouts cause they have as usual less health then assaults

oh and if you see a laser guy dont try to play peek a boo over range. The laser usually will win. And now about something different.
Who on earth came up with the Heavy+Laser combo? That is one of the worst fits ive ever saw on this game apart from heavy shock and heavy with a shotgun.

Alright well how about they make some different variations of the same weapon like other weapons for example a breach laser rifle, it rapidly looses beam strength at long range but melts at close range and is average at medium?

or Assault Laser Rifle, fires its beam in pulses inefficient at long and short range but excels at medium?