It deals very little damage to annelids and hybrids, and the other energy weapon, the EMP Rifle, is much better against machines.

Standard and heavy weapons are versatile, energy weapons are for robots, and annelid weapons are for annelids. OK. Except there's no reason to use the Laser Pistol with the EMP Rifle around.

I realize the rifle takes Energy 6 to use, but if you don't have that skill, you may as well use a Pistol with Standard 1 and armor-piercing ammo rather than the Laser Pistol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUttbZcv7WI

The laser pistol only requires energy 1, it does not use up scarce ammunition and is very good against all (semi) mechanical targets with modification level 2 and overload shots.

It's true that the Pistol crushes the Laser Pistol, but it's also true that the Assault Rifle crushes the EMP Rifle. Standard Weapons are just that good. And hey, at least you don't need Maintenance 6 in order to keep your Laser Pistol in working order.

The best way to get some mileage out of the Laser Pistol is to play a Marine and pick Energy Weapons, so that you start with one. There's also a broken Laser Pistol in the cargo bays; you only need Repair 1 to fix it. Maintenance 1 is also all you need in order to keep it working, and it is actually more efficient in terms of damage per maintenance tool than the Pistol, as long as you keep it on overcharge mode (six times normal damage, same rate of weapon breakage; less energy efficient, but not significantly so.) Then you get to Deck 3 and stop finding Protocol Droids around every corner. Oh, well.

the laspistol is easy to handle (no recoil), only requires energy1, ammo is free, good firepower vs mechanical foes, easy to fix and maintain, the overcharge blast will take down low level organic enemies in one shot. if the laspistol is something, then overpowered.

OMG I'm so glad someone upgraded a higher res version of that video.

For an ammo-hoarder like me, the laser pistol is a great option when there are charging stations around.

Felio probably isn't aware of the very effective tactic of carrying around 3-4 laser pistols, all set to overcharge. ZAP (switch) ZAP (switch) ZAP, etc...

This- I barely used any non-melee, non-energy weapon in my entire playthrough.

EDIT: Crap I just necro-posted without realizing it! Sorry!