I've been using tractor/repulser beams quite a bit lately on WP Defense starbases. At massive mount, they work quite nicely as a tractor/ionic disperser/tachyon thingummy/repulser combo.
Anyway, IME, tractor/repulser beams do damage if 1) they hit shields, or 2) they affect the target ship. Now, 4 damage isn't likely to take out much; but hey, every little bit helps.
This was under 1.49, btw; don't know if that changed in Gold.
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The Unpronounceable Krsqk
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Freefall