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.

Heat Capacity
Adding another emergency heat dump canister to the weapon increases how much heat can be absorbed before an emergency dump is triggered.

Heat Sink
Increased heat sink capacity is a popular upgrade that improves the cooling rate of the weapon. This also has the effect of increasing the time window for continuous fire.

(Increased) Laser Overcharge
Overcharging the laser causes it to output more damage at the cost of generating more heat. This is usually offset by adding more heat capacity and heatsinks.

Weapon Stats
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.

Gameplay Tips

 * The Tanto's high firepower and sustainability, plus its ability to be used as a second sidearm, make it versatile. However, its reliance on heat mechanics and its poor range mean 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.


 * Whilst most laser weapons sacrifice overall firepower for the sake of sustainability, range, and utility, the Tanto has a surprisingly high damage output. 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.


 * No mention of it is made in the Tanto's description but it is indeed a pistol, carried in one hand. It slightly boosts the Helldiver's mobility while aiming, although not by as much as SMGs or the sawed-off DBS-2 Double Freedom. It is, however, much faster at turning while shooting than its continuous-beam cousins, the LAS-5 Scythe and LAS-98 Laser Cannon. The Tanto can be used when carrying objectives such as the Black Box, Illuminate Power Core or Artillery shells.
 * Mortally wounded Helldivers can draw their one-handed weapon automatically by using the aiming controls (right analog stick or mouse). Keep in mind that it needs to be manually switched back to the previously selected weapon after dropping whatever the player was carrying or after recovering from mortal wounds.