That delayed-reaction laser explosion

Odradek

You know how sometimes in stuff, a laser will sleep across the ground, and then an explosion will appear a split second later? Why's that happen? Where's that from?

Obā-san

ive always assumed that the laser superheats the material, causing it to expand, which causes the explosion, and presumably that takes a second or two?

Klinotaxis

nausicaa

Tre

I'd imagine Naney's thoughts are probably the same reasoning most folks writing with lasers use.

Unless, of course, the laser cuts through the material (relatively) instantaneously, as long as one covers the entire object (and if not, the yammering Radio on your back will remind you rather callously that you have to do so).

(totally not finding excuses to talk about that one game I love again for the umpteenth time, nope!)

glennmagusharvey

As a gameplay mechanic, it allows something to instantaneously target the player but also allow a little room for response time.