Energy Weapon

For a list of energy weapons, see: Energy Weapons.

Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) are a large and diverse family of weapons which utilize various forms of focused energy to harm opponents. Most nations and organizations in the galaxy use various types of DEWs both for lethal and nonlethal applications.

Overview
Though no two groups of energy weapons function the same way, they are all similar in that they require an electrical power source and utilize a non-solid projectile, setting them apart from projectile weapons. Some DEWs may also require ammunition of some description alongside the battery. All DEWs can produce one of three types of projectiles:


 * Bolt: Bolts are individual projectiles analogous to bullets. They are most effective at close and medium range.


 * Beam: Beams are streams of energy focused on a target. They are best suited for long-range engagements.


 * Wave: Waves are powerful bursts of energy expelled from the weapon. Though devastating at close range, waves rapidly lose effectiveness as distance increases.

Regardless of the projectile used, the strength of an energy weapon depends heavily on how much power and/or ammunition is committed to each shot. More power will increase the weapon's firepower and range, but will also rapidly deplete the weapon's reserves, generate heat more rapidly, and if applicable, reduce its rate of fire to avoid overheating, which can damage or even outright destroy the weapon. Waves in particular are notorious for their high energy consumption, some designs consuming more than half of their battery in a single shot, and for the intense heat that they produce. Some nations have designed their energy weapons to be able to alter their power output as well as their projectile, though this is far from universal.

Energy weapons can be remarkably powerful, especially against armor and flesh, but they have several drawbacks. They are both more expensive to produce and harder to maintain than projectile weapons due to their complex internal components. They also lack the versatility of projectile weapons; each type of energy weapon will excel in its own niche but will perform poorly outside of it. Energy weapons also have less range their their projectile counterparts due to the energy needed for both accurate and effective long-range fire, though this is not an issue for starships or superheavy land vehicles.

Plasma
Main Article: Plasma Weapon

The fourth state of matter, plasma is superheated ionized gas that violently vaporizes flesh and armor upon contact. Its unstable nature renders it best suited for close-to-medium range, though sufficiently powerful generators can produce long-range plasma beams.

Laser
Main Article: Laser Weapon

Laser weapons project a beam of focused light which imparts so much energy into target so quickly that it explodes. Its lightspeed projectile has made it an effective means of dispatching fast-moving targets and projectiles.

Particle
Main Article: Particle Weapon

Particle weapons use energized particles fired at high velocities. They are considered the general-purpose energy weapon: capable in most situations, but excelling in none.

Pyre
Main page: Pyre Weapon

Developed by the Empire of Diablos, Pyre weapons propel 'globs' of heated particles at their targets.

Lightning
 Main Article: Lightning Weapon

Lightning weapons utilize pure static electricity to engage one or more targets simultaneously. Depending on their charge, they can either momentarily stun or instantly kill a target, though they are best known for their effectiveness against shielding.

Electromagnetic Pulse
 Main Article: Electromagnetic Pulse Weapon

Often abbreviated to EMP, electromagnetic pulse weapons use electromagnetic energy to disrupt electronics, shielding, and wireless communication.

Sonic
Main Article: Sonic Weapon

Sonic weapons utilize sound waves to engage targets. They are of little practical use on the battlefield, but are frequently used to quell civil unrest.

Antimatter
 Main Article: Antimatter Weapon

Weaponized antimatter is predominantly used in explosives and is among one of the most destructive substances in the known galaxy.