LAS-12 Tanto

This is an attempt to pack a laser into a small enough housing to be used for the same applications as conventional submachineguns. The result is a laser with a fixed focus step, allowing for high power at a very limited range. It was never widely used as the range limitation was considered too much of a drawback. The LAS-12 is part of the Specialist equipment kit.

The Tanto is carried in one hand, increasing a Helldiver's mobility slightly while aiming (less than with other one-handed weapons like SMGs or the sawed-off Double Freedom). The Tanto cannot be used while prone. However, the player can draw it automatically when mortally wounded by using the aiming controls (right analog stick or mouse). It can also be used when carrying an important objective.

Unlike the LAS-5 Scythe or LAS-98 Laser Cannon, which are also continuous-beam weapons, the Tanto has a very high turning rate while aiming.

Helldivers start with 3 Tanto heat dump canisters, and can carry up to 6. Replacing a canister is only necessary if the weapon is overheated, and takes 3 seconds. As the Tanto is a laser weapon, it does not have the ability to perform a fast reload or retain a round in the chamber.

Unlock Requirement
The Tanto is a DLC weapon, available at any rank to those who purchase the Specialist equipment kit.

Tactical Overview
The Tanto is the smallest laser weapon in Helldivers, but it's also one of the most effective. Whilst most Laser Weapons sacrifice overall firepower for the sake of sustainability, range, and utility, the Tanto has surprisingly high damage - higher, in fact, than every other Laser-based primary weapon in terms of sustained damage. To offset this, the Tanto has poor range - barely better than the FLAM-40 Incinerator - and it heats up nearly as fast as the burst damage-focused LAS-16 Sickle.

The Tanto's high firepower and sustainability, plus its ability to be used when carrying objectives (such as the Power Core or Black Box) make it quite versatile, but its reliance on heat mechanics and poor range means that you will often have to move to close range whether you want to or not. Balance this weapon's quirks and it's actually a surprisingly powerful weapon, and one usable even relatively late-game with few problems.