Why not magnetic weaponry? Wouldn't assault-rifle sized rail guns be far more devastating and effective in combat? The projectiles of magnetic weaponry are pretty close to being as fast as lasers, and are better at piercing armor; not to mention most magnetic rounds have a farther effective range than laser weaponry. Overall, magnetic weapons are better than laser weapons unless you have a highly advanced laser weapon that fires ridiculously powerful blasts; and without a compact power source capable of containing ludicrous amounts of energy, that ain't happening.
TL;DR: Magnetic weapons > Laser weapons
Thoughts? Opinions?
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So far the difference I know of between rail guns and lasers is the size. Lasers with a compacted energy source don't need to be to big to put out a lot of energy and also stand still whereas a rail gun shoots at varying speeds going up to breaking the speed of sound (I think the American military did a rail gun test that came close) where holding an object shooting at that speed would destroy your body. Which is why usually in science fiction rail guns are relegated to being on ships since the ships can take the recoil.