Overcharge

Weapons with the Overcharge ability receive an extension to its firing phase with increased DPS. The beam glows brighter while Overcharge is active.

Explanation
Overcharge occurs at the end of the beam's normal firing phase, allowing the beam to continue firing for the Overcharge Duration. While Overcharge is active, the DPS of the beam increases by the Overcharge Amount each time the Overcharge Delay elapses, up to a maximum amount that is determined by Overcharge Maximum.

While Overcharge Amount, Overcharge Delay and Overcharge Maximum are typically fixed, an increase in Overcharge Duration, which can be provided by various technologies such as the Cavalier Cutter and Beam Overcharge Capacitor, substantially improves the effectiveness of Overcharge.

Examples
A modded Surge Beam that has no Overcharge, on a Bastion Cruiser: - Charge Time = 3s - Firing Time = 2s - Cooldown Time = 0s

Suppose an enemy enters the weapon's targeting range at t = 0s. At t = 0~3s: The Surge Beam charges up. At t = 3~5s: The Surge Beam opens fire at 100% DPS. At t = 5s: The Surge Beam stops firing because its Firing Time has run out. Rinse and repeat until there is no valid enemy in range.

Surge Beam on a Bastion Cruiser: - Charge Time = 3s - Firing Time = 2s - Cooldown Time = 0s - Overcharge = +5% DPS per 1s - Overcharge Max = +10% DPS - Overcharge Duration = 2s

Suppose an enemy enters the weapon's targeting range at t = 0s. At t = 0~3s: The Surge Beam charges up. At t = 3~5s: The Surge Beam opens fire at 100% DPS. At t = 5s: The Surge Beam continues firing via Overcharge but is still at 100% DPS. At t = 6~7s: The Surge Beam is at 105% DPS. At t = 7s: The Surge Beam is at its maximum of 110% DPS but immediately stops firing because its Overcharge Duration has run out. Rinse and repeat until there is no valid enemy in range.

Surge Beam on a Cavalier Cutter: - Charge Time = 3s - Firing Time = 2s - Cooldown Time = 0s - Overcharge = +5% DPS per 1s - Overcharge Max = +10% DPS - Overcharge Duration = 2s (+2s from hull)

Suppose an enemy enters the weapon's targeting range at t = 0s. At t = 0~3s: The Surge Beam charges up. At t = 3~5s: The Surge Beam opens fire at 100% DPS. At t = 5s: The Surge Beam continues firing via Overcharge but is still at 100% DPS. At t = 6~7s: The Surge Beam is at 105% DPS. At t = 7~9s: The Surge Beam is at its maximum of 110% DPS. At t = 9s: The Surge Beam stops firing because its Overcharge Duration has run out. Rinse and repeat until there is no valid enemy in range.