Plasma rifle (Doom Eternal)



The plasma rifle returns as a weapon in Doom Eternal, with a new design that draws heavily from the original plasma gun. The overall function of the weapon appears to be unchanged, firing small bright blue compact orbs of plasma at a rapid rate. It is confirmed to have mods, including the Microwave Beam mod that stuns a monster before it explodes, and the Heat Blast mod (now using red plasma) from its previous iteration.

Tactical analysis
The plasma rifle now features a new effect where enemies that are hit by several plasma orbs within a short time will explode in a burst of energy, like the needler of the Halo series. Additionally, energy shields like the ones used by the shield soldier and carcass will overload and explode if hit by plasma rifle fire, killing the shield's user and damaging other enemies nearby. It can also disable the Doomhunter's body shield, exposing it to damage.

Modifications

 * Heat Blast
 * The same as Heat Wave from Doom (2016), but appears to have a power marker around the reticule.


 * Microwave Beam
 * Fires a concentrated beam of plasma energy that immobilizes an enemy as long as the beam is maintained; sufficient exposure to the beam will kill the enemy, causing it to explode and deal damage to others nearby.

Heat Blast

 * Quick Fire
 * Super Heated Rounds
 * Mastery - Power Surge
 * Mastery - Power Surge
 * Mastery - Power Surge

Microwave Beam

 * Faster Beam Charge
 * Cost: 3 weapon points


 * Increased Range
 * Cost: 6 weapon points


 * Mastery - Concussive Blast
 * Unlocked by purchasing all upgrades.