For my humble 2.0 +/- .5 cents,
may I suggest that various weapon styles lead into combat doctrine: The age of sail with its ships of the line and massed broadsides to stealth multi role vessels for hit and run of priority targets.
Match sets of weapons with doctrine obsoleting of them and as new techs are discovered.
Obtaining weapons with a range advantage presumes a tactic which keeps opponents out of their effective range but in turn could stimulate the a doctrine of increased short range firepower and ninja hit and run breakthroughs from the enemy.
Cheers.