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Hello, and thank you for your question!

Yes, plasma weapons and mass accelerated weapons are both extremely different. And comparing them as far as power is a little like comparing apples and oranges. However, I see your question, and it’s a great question!

I would venture to say that either kind of weapon can give the same amount of power, it only depends on how strong the weapon is compared to its own kind. A simple, low-impact mass accelerated weapon would quite obviously be less powerful than the opposite in a plasma weapon.

The two, along with Remnant weapons, rely heavily on preference, whether that be cultural or personal. The Pathfinder may prefer a different weapon than, say, an Angaran. The Kett use different weaponry that they feel more comfortable with. I would prefer a different sort of weapon than Drack. Preference is a strong deciding factor, especially where so many different cultures coming together is concerned.

You probably know, but the plasma weapons of Helelus primarily use heat-seeking technology and temperature. Friction at an atomic level is key in achieving this precise, burning result. Remnant weapons rely on particle beams to damage the structure of the target and force a break away, as it were. Atomic focus is entirely necessary for this, where as it would be less so with our own weapons from the Milky Way. Those weapons make use of mass accelerators, which use elecromagnets to remove nearly all traces of friction to spike kinetic energy/speed.

When comparing the three, in layman’s terms, you end up discussing and arguing heat versus structure versus force. I believe the person behind the weapon is more of a deciding factor in its power.

Thank you for your question!