[Fyron]

Both of those weapons are more powerful than low-mid level APBs. MB V has a 1.5 damage ratio out to range 6, and MB VI has a ratio of 1.75. APB doesn't get a 1.5 ratio til APB VIII, which goes down to 1.0 at range 6. With high hit rates at longer ranges, MBs really hold their own in the mid-game. Its not til APB XI that you get a 1.5 ratio at range 6 (which also has 2.0 at range 1, making it generally better than MB overall). APB X can be better than MB VI, if you can get most firing to occur at short ranges or when hit rates are generally low and you avoid max range type strategies (making the higher damage at range of the MB useless). It takes a hell of a lot of research to get to APB XI, leaving a big gap for the MB fleet to research more combat bonus and defense tech than the APB. In the late game when APBs can be maxed out and other techs researched, all that MB spending becomes moot. APBs are definitely a sleeper tech, best not put into field use for a number of levels. It all depends on how long the game is going to last, and when (major) war breaks out.