Orion's largest star also shines brightly as a powerful, accurate LMG capable of sustained suppressing fire. Plagued by multiple redesigns during its troubled development, the third and final iteration proved itself as a favorite amongst the VS.
The Betelgeuse 54-A is an 'auraxium' variant of the Orion VS54, sharing most of the same base stats and decorated with a special 'auraxium' camo.
Compared to its base variant, the Betelgeuse 54-A features a heat-based ammunition pool rather than the standard magazine-based ammo system of the Orion VS54, and the weapon no longer has a long reload penalty. In exchange, the theoretical magazine size of the weapon is reduced by 4 rounds.
Designed as a replacement for standard iron sights in close-quarters combat, the Holo-Projected Reticle sight creates and accurate dot-and-circle reticle above the top rail. More reticles for this sight available, see full article.
The revolutionary Vanu Holo-Optic reflex utilizes nanotechnology to project a circle and dot reticle. Additionally, it features a 2X magnitude zoom for better performance in urban combat scenarios. More reticles for this sight available, see full article.
Created to better suit carbines and assault rifles for support roles, the OG-4's simple crosshair allows the user to make accurate shots at a distance. It uses 4x magnification perfect for mid-range fights.
The rail mounted Darklight Flashlight can illuminate hostile cloaked infiltrators and dark areas but the light can give away your position. The light can be turned on and off with Toggle Attachment hotkey.
High Velocity Ammunition increases the weapon's projectile velocity by 10% and minimum damage range by 20 meters, but reduces the weapon's maximum damage range by 2 meters.
The Betelgeuse 54-A uses a heat-based ammo pool, in contrast to the standard magazine-based ammo system most infantry weaponry uses. Heat provides a meter that fills upon firing, and dissipates when not firing.
The Betelgeuse has a heat threshold of 999 and generates 22 heat per shot, leading to a theoretical magazine size of 46 rounds. It has a recovery delay of 0.572 seconds before dissipating 232 heat per second, and must be reloaded when overheated.
Manually reloading the Betelgeuse 54-A is possible at any heat level, with a 3 second reload time, although the weapon will not dissipate heat until reloaded if the meter is filled to its capacity.
It is possible to earn both Ribbons and Medals while using the Betelgeuse 54-A. Each ribbon is a standard reward for achieving a set amount of kills with the machine gun. Medals are awarded upon reaching kill milestones with the weapon.
The Betelgeuse 54-A is named after 'Betelgeuse', a star within the Orion constellation (after which the Orion VS54 draws its name). Betelgeuse is notable for being Orion's second brightest star, and a distinctly reddish-orange one whose brightness has varied wildly throughout the years and which is theorized to have already reached the end of its life.
Heat ammo recovery from 10 rounds per second to 9.28 rounds per second.
Dev Note: This weapon mostly receives usability nerfs, but has been indirectly brought in line with cross-faction alternatives through attachment selection.
Updates to usability here bridge the gap between what felt off about the first pass, and how we'd like these weapons to perform overall. Heat weapons don't use traditional short/long reloads, and only use their overheat value for a reload (this is an unresolved issue with all heat weapons with a manual reload,) and we've brought the directive weapon overheat values in line with those weapons' short reloads.
Reload/Overheat penalty from 3.44 to 3sec.
Shots before overheat from 40 to 45.
Dev Note: Realistically, the Betelgeuse didn't need any buffs, and this change is only to bring back a portion of its "LMG high-mag" feel, that was remarked on as missing by players. It may receive drawbacks in other areas in the future.
49 OR 
Infantry
Infiltrator
MAX
Flash
Harasser
Sunderer
ANT
Lightning
Prowler/
Magrider
Chimera
Vanguard
ESF
Valkyrie
Dervish
Liberator
Galaxy
Bastion Weak Point
