Fire-explosive would probably be able to solo ships a bit too well, because with the fire you could take out armor pretty well.
Banshee OP. Nerf please.
Joking aside, if this does turn into a dual purpose weapon like the ones we already have, the secondary purpose will probably be marginal.
Because what's the point of a Carronade when Magma does only a slightly worse job at close range, but with the added chaos factor of fire?
Chances are, it would just go the route of the Banshee: technically useful, but overshadowed by single-purpose weapons.
THAT is why I want to see this new weapon also give us a new application method of the fire. A lobbed ball of inferno? A liquid stream of combustion?
Damage changing at ranges would be an excellent addition to this, and could definitely spice up gameplay.
Know what I REALLY want to see this become?
A high-skill/high-reward fire weapon.