While its intended design is for deep space construction, the concentrated laser beam of the Spectra is highly effective against organic and synthetic enemies.
The Spectra is a Corpus pistol unlockable through Energy Lab Research in the dojo. Released in Update 9, it appears to be a handheld cutting laser that (according to its description) is as effective at cutting flesh as it is at cutting metal. It is essentially a sidearm version of the Flux Rifle, with the focus on Puncture instead of Slash damage.
The Spectra's beam has a maximum length of 15 meters (compared to the Flux Rifle's 25 meters) and approximately sixteen seconds of firing time before the cell runs dry.
See the user build section for builds using this weapon.
Notes
Holding down the fire button while using Shade or a Huras Kubrow will cloak you if enemies are nearby, letting you potentially deal large amounts of damage without retaliation.
The Spectra is essentially an alternative to the Flux Rifle to due to being a beam-based weapon, although it loses versatility by its shorter range, non-instantaneous beam, making it effective only at mid-short ranges.
It specializes in puncture damage, which makes it better then the Flux Rifle against the Grineer.
Tips
The Spectra does not have hitscan capability and requires you to use 2 ammo to extend the beam to maximum length.
It posseses 360 max pistol ammo instead of 210, similar to the AkZani.
Very useful with Volt as his Electric Shield can give the spectra infinite range, with added electrical damage.
Similar building with the Flux Rifle, adding Magnum Force to the Spectra can actually be beneficial, as the shooter does not require precise aiming. This will further reduce its medium range effectiveness however.
Trivia
The Spectra is currently known to be one of the most improved weapons throughout the game's patches, as it was one of the weakest Clan DojoResearch weaponry ever released: It used to deal a total of 8 damage per second.
During the final phases of the Arid Fear event, the Corpus Scouts were equipped with Spectras, which they would use for short durations before attempting to run.
Ceasing fire from the Spectra actually retracts the beam.