While plasma weapons can certainly kill light infantry units, their slower rate of fire means that bolt weapons are more effective at dispensing large hordes of enemy troops. These weapons often have a lower damage-per-second (DPS) rating than bolt weapons, but are far more effective at penetrating enemy armor. The plasma pistol, plasma gun, and plasma cannon are known as plasma weapons.They deal virtually no damage to large creatures like Tyranid monsters, vehicle units, or buildings. They can also deal with heavy infantry, though not as well as they lack the armor penetration. Bolt weapons are effective at range against light or medium infantry. The above-mentioned bolt pistol, bolter and heavy bolter, as well as the storm bolter, are known as bolt weapons.

A bolt pistol, bolter, and heavy bolter, for example, are all effective against the same target types, while a heavy bolter and missile launcher, despite both being used by Avitus, are vastly different. While there are many different weapons in Dawn of War 2, some of them are very similar in type.

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