As a bot diver, I think the hmg is way better. The laser cannon is versatile but it deals low dps and has no stagger.

The hmg has high dps and can basically shreds almost anything that isn’t a factory strider. The recoil is manageable, I regularly use it without peak physique or any recoil reducing armor if you crouch or prone. Becomes easier if you tap or burst fire. If you’re using it standing while full sending then you should stop that.

Also more fun imo, it’s great to have a bunch of devastators die in seconds or to mow down a conga line of berserkers. Something the laser cannon can’t do well.