The Culture explores 40K II: Now With 100% more Fanfiction

[The Glyphstone]

Actually... looking at the stats?

Tau Plasma weaponry is about equal to Eldar... sometimes better, sometimes worse. Eldar are capable of bigger plasma guns though (those can go on their ships).

And Pulse Weapons are a hybrid Plasma/Solid Penetrator (ie, magnetically accelerated coilgun, but not particularly fast out of the barrel. The hitting power comes from how it hybridizes the projectile into an energy pulse) type of weapon.

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__...ulse_rifle.jpg

That's fanon, I think though. But hasn't been contradicted.

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Puls...e#.ULgu1Ib5XB0

It says the gun "fires a plasma pulse, which is generated when an induction field accelerates a particle which breaks down as it leaves the barrel." No mention of solid-shot ammunition, but I don't know enough science to be certain if these contradict or not.