i just recently started playing black crusade and i wonder;

if i have plasma weapon of good quality (gains reliable) how does the reliable trait affect the overheats trait of the plasma weapon?

does the reliable trigger every time the weapon is supposed to overheat, or does it have no effect since the weapon technically cannot jam?

Reliable does nothing to prevent overheating, sadly. You have to get yourself best quality plasma weapons to be safe.

really, thats kinda strange. i would at least expect it to halve the probability of overheating or something. i mean reliable weapons jam 90% less than their ordinary counterparts. also a good quality plasma gun is about the same difficulty in acquiring as a meltagun which is considerably better in all aspects apart from range, and clip size. but the meltagun has no chance of overheating, and thus doesnt hit yourself every tenth shot.

oh well i guess its just tough luck.

EDIT: i just checked a meltagun is easier to acquire than a good quality plasmagun

Plasma guns have better rates of fire, and the option to go Maximal. Not to mention, Inferno Pistols are even harder to find and don't come in Legion size (unless you count Deathwatch). They're not as powerful as meltas, but they're more versatile.

Why worry about overheating when you can slap in a nice pack of purified plasma. Of course the ammo is very rare, but so is your face should it get blown off.