[Pax]

Eventually APBs will outstrip Meson BLastrs.

However, for a low-aggression race (say a Religious race which plans on relying on the Talisman to produce hits), the Meson BLaster makes much, much more sense.

Why?

Volume of fire. MEsons and APBs, at maximum range, get about the same damage per kT at early tech levels (possibly favoring the APB by a narrow margin). However, in 60kT of space, you canmount EITEHR two APB's ... or three Meson BLasters.

This is a key issue; if you have a low chance to hit, every extra time you can at least TRY, increases your overall odds of scoring SOME damage. SOME damage in small packets is better than NO damage in large packets, right?

And that 60kT comparison isn't made idly, either. That's about the weaponry space for a Frigate or perhaps armored Destroyer -- or a small sattelite. Those are the sorts of ships EARLY game fighting will center around, n'est-ce pas?