Brutal ECHO Ray

"The [Brutal] ECHO Ray (Electrical CHarge Overflow) is a VSec Energy weapon with the unique ability to bounce between adjacent targets."

General
The Brutal ECHO Ray is a modified ECHO Ray with greatly increased damage but less range.

Advantages
Brutal ECHO Rays have higher potential damage output than the regular version, granting even better defense against blitz tactics: enemies often bunch their ships close enough for Chaining to take effect.

The weapon can also be used offensively on cutters since they have no problem getting enemies in range, though there are other options available such as the Burst Ray.

Disadvantages
The reduced range puts this weapon on par with the Disruptor Ray, removing its ability to kite effectively. Focused Optics and its variants are essentially a must if you do not wish to be kited to death.

Alternatively, pair the Brutal ECHO Ray with other longer-range weapons for maximum coverage.

Trivia

 * Each bounce reduces the damage output by 40%.
 * The Brutal ECHO Ray looks identical to ECHO Ray I-III.
 * The Brutal ECHO Ray was actually slated for a release along with the Piercing NET Torpedo as indicated here:, but its release was canceled, most likely because the latter would probably be too overpowered.