The difference between AEs and sturmpios is their effective range. Sturmpios deal far more damage at mid range. AEs deal next to no damage until you are nearly point blank.
Yeah I've been playing a lot with AE's since this thread started and so far they seem a bit random. If one can close the gap then they perform well, but many times they get cut down closing the distance. Maybe they could use a slight durability buff such as modified accuracy received modifier or something.