I really like the idea of PPC capacitors, and have been trying to think of a way to apply some sort of extra kick to Lasers as well, but it took some time to think of a way to try to balance benefit, drawback, and functional explanation. This is what I've come up with.
Boosted Laser
Following research into duplicating the Clan Chemical Laser, IS scientist have created a interesting Hybrid of conventional Lasers and chemical that has been dubbed the Boosted Laser.
The Boosted Laser can function as both an conventional laser, or with the usage of a chemical "round", be "boosted" to function as a X-Pulse laser.
Physically, the boosted laser is essentially an X-Pulse Laser that has had it's power modulator removed. The power modulator, responsible for regulating the pulses, has been relocated to a centralized power conversion unit installed on a chemical canister. IS scientist discarded the individual chemical shells used in the clan chemical laser system, instead opting to house the chemicals in a centralized canister to which the power modulator is connected, but this removes some of the safety element of the shell system, making canister rupture of the volatile chemicals more dangerous. The chemicals are converted to power and fed to the modulator directly at the canister, and then fed to the weapon. Removal of the power modulator reduces the mass of the weapon, and as an unexpected bonus, slightly reduces the heat of the weapon, as a small amount is transferred to the vaporization of the chemicals.
Although the power consumed from a boost is less than the power consumed from a clan Chemical Laser, reduction of IS quality chemicals, as well as conversion equipment, keeps the ammunition quantity per ton, on par with the clan system. Although applicable to all laser sizes, the benefits to the small laser for both mass and heat were found to be so negligible, as to not be worth the effort.
During the weapons phase, a player may chose to fire the weapon with, or with out a boost. If used without, the weapon functions as a conventional laser for range, heat, damage and to-hit modifier. The weapon may be fired this way even if no ammunition is available. If boosted, a "round" is used from the canister, the weapon functions as a X-Pulse Laser of it's type with the range, damage, to-hit modifier and infantry damage bonus, but the heat is reduced by 1 point. If the canister is hit, it will explode as per normal ammunition rules, but adds 5 points on top due to the high corrosive effects of the chemicals. Although power transfer is done at the canister, the power modulator must still be located quite close to the weapon. Multiple Boosted Lasers may draw from the same canister, but all weapons that wish to draw from it, must be located in the same location. Chemical canisters can only be applied in full ton increments. A Boosted Laser is not compatible with targeting computers.
Medium Boosted Laser (with Boost)
Range S 3 M 6 L 9 E 12
Heat 5
Ton 1.5
Ammunition 30 per ton
Large Boosted Laser (with Boost)
Range S 5 M 10 L 15 E 20
Heat 13
Ton 6
Ammunition 10 per ton
