In this RPG, utility guns are versatile tools that serve multiple purposes, from combat to exploration. They are designed to help players tackle a variety of challenges, not just by dealing damage but also through resource gathering, environmental manipulation, and technical utility. These guns can be customized and enhanced using technology slots, laser cutter bonuses, and various attack types. Here's how each element of a utility gun affects gameplay:


TECHNOLOGY SLOTS
The number of technology slots on a utility gun determines its potential for upgrades and customization. These slots allow players to install modules that enhance the gun's abilities, adding new features or improving existing ones. The more slots a utility gun has, the greater its adaptability and power.

Starting Number of Slots: Guns with more starting technology slots are inherently more versatile, allowing players to quickly boost different aspects of the gun. For example, adding tech to improve damage output, increase mining capability, or add new elemental damage types (fire, ice, shock).

Customization and Specialization: With additional slots, players can tailor their utility gun to their preferred playstyle. For example, a player might enhance the gun for:

Combat: Upgrades to improve basic attacks, fire rate, or critical hit chance.
Resource Gathering: Add-ons that increase the efficiency of mining or harvesting, such as better laser cutter yields / damage.
Puzzle Solving: Tools for hacking, manipulating environments, or interacting with alien technology.


LASER CUTTER BONUS
The laser cutter on a utility gun is a multifunctional tool used for resource extraction and environmental interaction. The laser cutter bonus determines how efficient and effective the gun is when used for cutting or mining tasks. A higher laser cutter bonus means better extraction of resources, or ability to open / destroy certain items such as doors etc.

Resource Gathering: A gun with a strong laser cutter bonus will allow the player to mine resources like minerals, metals, or energy cores and gain more materials from each of these interactions.

Environmental Interaction: The laser cutter may also be used to interact with the environment by cutting through barriers, hacking into systems, or unlocking doors. A higher bonus here makes the gun more useful for solving puzzles or navigating hazardous areas.


BASIC ATTACK
The basic attack of a utility gun refers to its standard offensive capabilities. Unlike a purely combat-oriented weapon, a utility gun’s basic attack is used in combat when there is no gun module installed or if your character has run out of ammunition.


PERMANENT ATTACK BONUS
The permanent attack bonus is added to all attacks you make with a weapon module installed. If there is no weapon module installed then your utility gun defaults to its basic attack. In this case refer to passive or lasting improvements to the gun’s attack power or special abilities. These bonuses can either come as inherent traits of the gun or as enhancements gained through upgrades.


Explorers may favour guns with more technology slots and laser cutter bonuses in the early stages of the game, allowing them to gather resources quickly and interact with their environment more efficiently.

Combat-focused players will look for utility guns with better basic attack power and permanent attack bonuses to ensure they can hold their own in a fight while still benefiting from the gun’s utility features.

Miners and crafters will need high laser cutter bonuses and possibly even tech slots that allow for resource-gathering enhancements.

By carefully managing these key attributes (technology slots, laser cutter bonuses, basic attack, and permanent attack bonuses), players can customize their utility guns to fit their character's needs, creating a versatile tool that can shift between combat, resource gathering, and environmental interaction seamlessly.