List of Star Wars weapons
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The fictional Star Wars universe features an intricate array of different weapons, whose uses and powers range from interpersonal combat to destroying entire space stations or even planets and solar systems in single sweeps. Some of them resemble stereotypical science fiction weapons, while others, perhaps most notably the lightsaber, are uniquely associated with the franchise.
Ship-mounted weapons
Blasters
Blaster is a term that can be used interchangeably with the term "laser" for everyday conversation. Regardless, blasters and lasers are particle beam weapons, which fire a "bolt" of energy. The designs of blasters are a fair bit older than that of lasers, becoming less common in newer ships. With their design, blasters have high fire cycle rates, enabling them to multi fire, a mode of fire in which the rate of discharge is increased at the cost of accuracy. Blasters, because they are weaker than laser of similar size, are limited to starfighters.
Among the oldest and most venerable of blaster technology is the triple blaster, which dates back to the ancient days of the Old Republic. It works by using three separate blasters connected to the same targeting system, often found in coordinated sets of two or four, to fire simultaneously on a target. No company still mass produces them, and by the Rise of the Empire, triple blasters become exceedingly rare.
An updated version of blaster technology is the auto blaster, a modern redesign. Designed for the B-wing fighter, it has an even higher rate of fire than other blasters, but is not available to other models until after the Battle of Endor.
Blasters are allowed on civilian vessels except for heavy blaster cannons during the Rise of the Empire, when they are restricted to corporations through the purchase of Imperial licenses.
The most common manufacturer of blasters during the films is BlasTech, which among other lines has a contract with both the Imperial Military and the Rebellion. It also manufactures the Protector civilian fighter-grade blaster line.
Lasers
In the Star Wars Universe, laser cannons are like blasters, but much more powerful. They are usually used on fighters, freighters, and other small ships, as big warships use turbolasers. Quad laser cannons have been mentioned on the Millennium Falcon and the Trade Federation battleships.
Turbolasers
Turbolasers are the immensely scaled up versions of the blaster and laser cannon that are shown on the films; even the smaller ones are able to eradicate fairly large asteroids in a single shot. They can also be planet-based weapons, with power to match their immense proportions. These can be seen on the Death Star as they are the turrets that the rebel fighters avoid with their speed and are shooting at them when they go down the trench. Turbolasers are the standard weapon on most cruiser-sized or bigger ships, including Victory, Venator, Imperial, Super, and Eclipse-class Star Destroyers. Massive ships, such as the Eclipse class Star Destroyers, carry gargantuan numbers of Turbolasers and are capable of bombarding the surface of a planet into a flaming ruin. This type of orbital bombardment is known as "Base Delta Zero".
Ion cannons
Ion Cannons are designed to knock out electrical systems. They are often used on capital starships to facilitate the capture of enemy vessels. They can also be planet-based weapons, as seen in the Battle of Hoth when the Rebels used one to disable a Star Destroyer, allowing a transport to escape through the Imperial barricade. Rebel Y-wing fighters carry a pair of light Ion cannons, useful for disabling freighters and convoy ships that would ordinarily be severely damaged by a laser bolt barrage or a proton torpedo.
Tractor beams
Tractor beams (which are commonly used in many science-fiction works) are used by ships to bring small ships into the docking bay of large vessels. Tractor beams require their own generators, making them somewhat inefficient. The tractor beams aboard the Death Star took energy from the main reactor, giving them a constant flow of power and making it impossible for a vessel caught in it to escape. However, if one of the tractor beam's seven links to the reactor was severed, the projectors would be inactive and vessels would be allowed to escape, as Obi-Wan Kenobi discovered.
Gravity well projectors
While not weapons in the classic sense, gravity well projectors are used to artificially project a strong gravity field in an area of space where no major masses usually exist, making it impossible to use Hyperspatial engines. The main function of any Interdictor Cruiser ship is to use this effect to foil hit-and-run tactics and keep outmaneuvered enemies from escaping. Interdictor Cruisers work just as well in reverse: Grand Admiral Thrawn used them to drag his own ships out of hyperspace in pinpoint combat formation, catching opposing New Republic forces off-balance.
Concussion missiles
These missiles came in different shapes and sizes, from capital ship-range to starfighters. The Millennium Falcon modified freighter, A-Wing Interceptors and Slave I patrol ship were armed with concussion missiles.
Energy torpedoes
Proton torpedoes
Proton torpedoes are guided weapons fired from tubes on various spacecraft. Their tubes commonly mounted on Rebel starfighters, torpedoes are the staple warhead of the Rebel Alliance. It was one of these that was shot from Luke Skywalker's X-Wing into the exhaust port of the first Death Star that saved Yavin 4 and many other planets from sure destruction. In LucasArts' "X-Wing", it is shown that Proton torpedoes are more powerful, but Concussion missiles are faster and better at tracking. However, some sources show they have the same power and abilities.
Personal ranged weapons
The standard weapon of classic science fiction, the ray gun, is also the most common weapon in the Star Wars universe, although the lasers of Star Wars are actually high power plasma weapons. There are many variations of blasters; pistols, carbines, cannons, assault rifles and even machine guns. For example, Princess Leia Organa wielded a Sporting Blaster when her ship was boarded by Darth Vader's forces, while Han Solo prefers a Heavy Blaster Pistol (a BlasTech DL-44). The most common blaster is the E-11 blaster rifle, the standard weapon of Imperial Stormtroopers. Several of Star Wars' fictional weapons are modified from real-life blank firing prop guns; Han Solo's pistol is a customized Mauser C96, whilst the Stormtroopers carry Sterling submachine guns or MG42 WW2 German heavy machine guns (most easily seen in the detention center break-in in Episode IV).
The average output of a blaster (data from tech manuals) is about 8 megajoules. Starship scale blasters are called lasers, while capital scale blasters basing on a slightly expanded technology (supported by capacitors and turbines) are called turbolasers. According to official literature on blaster output, the heavy turbolasers mounted on the Old Republic-era Acclamator have an energy output of 200 gigatons per shot. Newer ships in the classic Star Destroyer line are equipped with much larger weapons.
The blasters supposedly operate off of a Tibanna gas cartridge and a power pack, with the weapon magnetically 'bottling' the Tibanna gas and then exciting it as it is fired. This is similar to the actual operation of real-world gas lasers.
DC-15 blaster rifle
see main article: DC-15 blaster rifle
The weapon of choice of the Republic clone troopers. The weapon fired blue plasma bolts, foregoing the need for projectile ammunition. Though hard to aim, the blasters were deadly in the hands of the specially trained clone troopers.
The DC-15 primarily came in two versions; a long-barreled, long-range blaster rifle and a smaller, lightweight pistol
DC-17 blaster rifle
see main article: DC-17 blaster rifle
The standard issue blaster for the Clone commandos and various other clones, including the Shocktroopers that lay waste to the Jedi Temple, Commander Cody's Squad 7 and Commander Gree. This weapon is a variant of the DC-15 blaster rifle, which is what standard clone troopers use. It is a Blaster Carbine which was in more common use at the end of the Clone wars than at the start. This was due to its ease of operation compared to the DC-15.It can, like the E-11 be holstered if the stock is folded forward. It lacks the power of the larger weapon though. It was the basis of E-Tech's design of the E-11 Blaster, which stormtroopers use. Do not confuse this weapon with the DC-17m commando blaster. (The one refered to in the main article)
E-11 blaster rifle
see main article: E-11 blaster rifle
The basic E-11 blaster rifle is 43.8 cm long (folded), and weighs 2.6 kilograms. The power cell housing opens on the left side of the action housing, above the trigger, giving the E-11 a very low profile (useful when shooting prone or from a barricade), with a standard power cell providing 100 shots. The blaster gas chamber contains sufficient supplies for thirty power cells.
All moving and/or metal parts are fitted with a corrosion-proof, vacuum-rated, dry lubricant. The top of the receiver has a universal, quick detach sight rail, which comes from the factory mounted with a light, ring reticule, 2x optical scope. The basic, three piece folding stock rides along the left side, under the power cell. When ordering from the factory, one may specify that they wish a fixed stock or a one-piece, right-folding stock at no extra cost.
DL-44 blaster pistol
The BlasTech DL-44 is a heavy blaster pistol. It packs far more power than most pistols, but this means that the power pack is exhausted after just 25 shots, as opposed to 100 or so shots from conventional pistols. However, the blaster is widely favored by mercenaries and bounty hunters, as it is easily modified. This is the favorite weapon of Han Solo, who carries a modified version with efficient galven circuitry, which allows the pistol to deal more damage without draining additional energy. Han's blaster is capable of blowing nearly half-metre wide holes in your average wall. Compare this to the fact that a Stormtrooper's glancing hit did nothing more than scorch Leia's arm in Return of the Jedi and you have evidence of how powerful the modified blaster really is.
T-21 Rifle
The T-21 Rifle is a standard-issue Imperial Stormtrooper weapon, capable of powerful and rapid fire.
CDEF Pistol/Rifle/Carbine
The CDEF weapons are usually seen as basic and low quality, dealing minimal damage and far from precise.
Wookiee Bowcaster
The Bowcaster is the traditional weapon of the Wookiees. It is a common misconception that it launches energy bolts, like a blaster. However, it actually launchers quarrels, similar to a hyper-advanced crossbow. The quarrels are surrounded by an energy cocoon while in flight, which gives them the appearance of extra-long blaster bolts; hence the misconception. The cocoon gives them an extremely high stopping power. Wookiees can load their bowcasters with both standard and explosive tipped quarrels, and the bandolier across Chewbacca's chest likely holds both. The spring that powers the bowcaster is extremely hard to pull back, and humans are generally incapable of cocking a bowcaster. However, modern bowcasters seem to have an automatic cocking system, allowing any species to use them. These bowcasters are also capable of loading more than one quarrel into their chamber, giving them a shotgun-like effect.
Tenloss Disruptor Rifle
The Tenloss Disruptor Rifle is outlawed by the New Republic but is still produced on the black market and used by some outlaws and criminal elements. Disruptor weapons can disintegrate matter at the molecular level and rips apart living material with ease and speed. With the zoom scope, users of the rifle can assassinate someone from a great distance.
Imperial Repeater
Also known as the "autogun", is fast and highly accurate. It fires blue energy bolts. It can also fire a trio of bolts simultaneously in a triangular configuration.
Imperial Heavy Repeater
A devastating weapon used by Imperial troops, which sprays a torrent of metallic bolts at an extremely high rate of fire. A secondary indirect fire mode allows the gun to fire an orb of concussive energy. The heavy repeater is valued by the Imperials for its rate of fire and effective suppression fire capabilities.
Golan Arms FC-1 Flechette Launcher
Based upon the shotgun design, the FC-1 fires a spray of metal flechettes. This is very effective at close range, and especially as an antipersonnel weapon against soft targets. However, the flechettes have little effect on most combat armor. The flechette launcher also has a secondary firing mode in which it fires two proximity grenades.
Stouker Concussion Rifle
The Stouker fires a concussive blast creating an explosion that spreads about 4 meters in diameter. The secondary mode's fire is less devastating in radius but has more impact on the target.
Electroscope Rifle
A rifle with a zoom electroscope and powerful shots.
Modified Bryar Pistol
The Bryar pistol is a Bryar rifle with stock and muzzle sawed. A fairly standard, relatively accurate blaster pistol with one exception: It has the ability to "charge up" and one fire large blast as opposed to faster, weaker ones. This has no detrimental effects on the gun or it's accuracy, but it does consume ammunition at a much higher rate than normal. The Bryar Pistol was the preferred weapon of Kyle Katarn until he adopted a lightsaber as part of his Jedi training. Although it is no longer his primary weapon, Katarn continues to carry it as a backup.
The name is an invention of Justin Chin, inspired by the composer Gavin Bryars.
Jeron Fusion Cutter
It is used in mining situations to cut rock. It fires green bolts from each of the 4 chambers, or from all 4 simultaneously at will.
Destructive EMP 2 Gun
Droid disabling weapon. Primary fire hits in a wide angle (hitting thus a large number of targets), while secondary fire causes major damage in a smaller range.
Training Remote
Whilst not a firearm in the traditional sense, training remotes have been known to be used in offense. Most commonly used for training, The Jedi use remotes as target practice by deflecting the remote's low energy lasers with their lightsabers. One of the few remotes to gain note was one created by a Zabrak named Bao-Dur. After he created the remote, it followed him through his life and even through the Mandalorian Wars that the Zabrak helped end at Malachor V. Later Bao-Dur and the remote met the Exile that he had earlier met in the Mandalorian Wars. After the remote and Bao-Dur followed the Exile back to Malachor V Bao-Dur asked the remote to activate the destructive Mass Shadow Generator that he created to end the earlier war. The remote performed his masters request and stayed behind to ensure the activation of the generator.
Carbonite freeze gun
This weapon throws streams of liquid carbonite that freeze targets, leaving them in suspended animation or killing them. The frozen mass then can be broken in pieces by anyone near by, finishing off the victim. Recovery from such a shot is unlikely, as this freezing is uncontrolled.
Heavy launchers
Merr-Sonn PLX-2M Portable Missile System
Cwrocketlauncher.jpg
The PLX-2M is an extremely powerful weapon that fires Arakyd 3T3 missiles. The sheer explosive power of the PLX-2M makes it dangerous to fire blindly in close quarters, but is extremely effective when used as a 'smart' tracking weapon. The PLX-2M has two 'smart' firing modes - the first causes the missile to home in on the magnetic emissions from the repulsorlifts of speeders, and the second causes the missile to home in on infrared heat sources, allowing the user to attack landspeeders, airspeeders, and even low-flying spacecraft. Of course, the launcher also has an unguided 'dumb' firing mode for manual aim.
Rail charges launcher
Rail charge launchers fire bullets or pellets at an exceptionally high velocity via magnetic acceleration from alternating polarity superconducting rails. This particular launcher can also fire guided "mini-missiles," which seek targets after being launcher. Because of their speed, this tracking is only accurate at long range.
Packered Mortar Gun
This is effectively a weak grenade launcher with a long range and a fast rate of fire.
Assault Cannon
Melee weapons
Lightsaber
see main article: Lightsaber
The lightsaber is the traditional weapon of the Jedi Order. It usually consists of a cylindric hilt, about 30 centimeters long, which upon activation emits a colored blade of pure energy. This blade can cut through anything except for another lightsaber blade and a mineral known as Cortosis ore.
Energy sword
The energy sword is an ancient development in weaponry, consisting of a plasma charged blade powered by a power cell in the hilt, with a pair of Velmorite crystals used for focusing. While similar to the lightsaber of the Jedi Knights, the energy sword is not comparable in strength to the Jedi weapon, although it is deadly precise. Energy swords have mainly ceremonial uses: Velmorian duel traditions settled disputes with energy swords, and very elderly Jedi and Sith use these for ceremonies.
Vibro-weapons
Many variations of the Vibro-blade exist. Swords, pikes, knives, and axes all consist of a basic design. The hilt or handle usually contains a mechanism that causes the blade to vibrate at an incredible speed, causing even the slightest glancing blow to become a gaping wound.
Stun Baton
Stun Batons are the future of billy clubs. They are in the form of a one or two-foot long metal cylinder with a thin handle on one end of it. The cylinder has a high-voltage electrical current running through it, which can be set to do anything from sting to kill. These common weapons are used by planetary police forces for crowd control and to stop un-armed criminals, but they're little use against a blaster.
Demolition weapons
Thermal detonator
Thermal detonators are highly unstable grenade-like weapons used primarily by bounty hunters and mercenaries. They cause enormous damage by initiating a fusion reaction upon detonation, with a blast radius of 20 metres or more. Some detonators have an even greater radius, although Stormtroopers carry miniature 5-metre ones. . Thermal detonators have the unique ability of creating a blast that only goes as far as its blast radius. After that, the blast field collapses, and anything even slightly beyond the blast radius is left unharmed.
During the Battle of Hoth in the Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Luke Skywalker destroyed an AT-AT by cutting a hole in it with his lightsaber and tossing in a thermal detonator. In Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, a detonator was used by a disguised Princess Leia to help free Han Solo from his carbonite prison inside Jabba the Hutt's palace. The weapon has also been used in various Star Wars computer games.
Flash Detonators
Much like real-life flashbang concussion grenades, flash detonators emit a blinding flash of light and ear piercing noise (verify?) in a contained radius, temporarily stunning and disorienting targets.
Sonic Detonators
Sonic detonators emit violent sonic waves upon explosion, damaging nearby organic beings and potentially rupturing internal organs.
Cryoban Grenades
Upon exploding, cryoban grenades rapidly cause everything in a radius around them to freeze.
I.M. Mines
I.M. stands for "Imperial Machines", an outside contractor of Imperial weapons. It is a simple kind of mines that can be set in two functions: explode by time set or by proximity.
Trip Mines
Trip mines consist of a beam projector affixed to a shaped explosive casing. The laser activates once the trip mine is placed, extending a beam from the charge to the nearest surface that intersects its path. If this beam is broken or the charge is fired upon, the mine will detonate and damage anything caught within its radius.
Sequencer charges
These come in two types: automatic and manual. Automatic work like mines, while manual work like detonation packs.
Detonation Packs
A detonation pack is a small explosive with a remote activator that can be triggered by the user. The pack is set in place or thrown and is then detonated whenever the user desires. Typically this is used to ambush enemies or blow open doors that are otherwise sealed to the user.
Concussion Grenades
There are two varieties of concussion grenades. One of the two is a fairly standard grenade. It explodes with a small blast radius and expels a sonic shockwave that stuns anybody just outside its blast radius. The other kind does not detonate in a traditional sense. It causes only the shockwave, stunning anybody hit by it rather than killing or wounding them.
References
See also
External link
- Turbolaser Commentaries (http://www.stardestroyer.net/tlc/) - a study and quantitative assessment of Star Wars turbolasers