Space Opera Weapons

Advanced Melee Weapons

With advanced technology, hand-to-hand combat weapons became remarkably efficient, so that even high-grade battlearmour was anything except immune to them:

MonoFilament Blades: Any edged weapon type can be a MonoFilament Blade--typically a knife or sword, although spears might also be so tipped. A monofilament wire stiffened by a forcefield renders the edge capable of sheering through most substances with greater ease than steel. Weapons so fitted are used in the usual way, but have MonoFilament penetration. Cost = CR 750. Powercell = 200 charge minicell at 100gm mass and CR 50. The powercell runs continuously, so it must be replaced every 10 weeks. A hit exhausts 1/2d6 charges. The MonoFilament is a Tech/7 weapon.

VibroBlades: The VobroBlade is a knife or sword with ‘power steering.’ Hypersonic vibrations are set up in the duralloy blade which causes it to cut extremely well. Cost = CR 1250 to fit it to a standard blade. The Powercell has 200 charges, with 1/2d6 charges expended each time the blade sheers through something. The minicell is the standard 100gm unit at CR 50. Tech/8 weapon.

ForeceBlades: The ForceBlade consists of a 200mm hilt containing a 500gm Powercell with 200 charges. The total unit weighs 1000gm. The forcefield generator inside the hilt will propagate a beam of energy that can be varied from 500mm to 1500mm in length which will cut through almost any material substance in time, unless it is forcefield reinforced. (That is why penetration is not automatic). Cost = CR 3000. Each hit exhausts 1 charge. The Powercell costs CR 200 to replace or can be recharged for CR 75. Tech/8 weapon.

Coagulators: The Coagulator is a 1000mm long rod massing 500gm. It contains a 500gm Powercell with 100 charges. The tip of the rod for about 250mm from the end farthest from the hilt has a VMXT forcefield generator which will scramble living tissue whenever the tip touches flesh or the field penetrates armour. The weapon is traditionally used like a Foil. It causes horrible wounds (double healing time, With Quicktime also increased to x3 normal) and has a +4 wound factor. The weapon is totally banned for civilian use throughout the known galaxy, but though there have been attempts to have the weapon outlawed as too horrible for use in war, it remains one of the most effective hand-to-hand weapons against Bugs and Klackons. It is, however, quite useless against silicate life forms and cold planet life forms. Cost = CR 9000 (M, F). Each hit will exhaust 1d6 charges. The Powercell costs CR 200 to replace and can be recharged for CR 75. Tech/7 weapon, built with Forerunner technology.

Neuronic Whip: The Neuronic Whip is developed from a ForeRunner device discovered on AgoI VIII. Technically, it is a non-lethal weapon, but most beings would probably prefare to be hit by a blaster bolt. The Neuronic Whip causes extreme pain by directly stimualting the nervous system and can bring unconsciousness by overloading the nervous system with ravening pain impulses. The effect is exactly as described for PainBlast (4.15 Telepathy). The ‘Whip’ is not effective against Bugs and Klackons, however, and Silicates and Cold Planet species are also immune. This 750mm rod, massing 1000gm, is issued to trusted Azuriach Officers and Officials as a badge of Authority in the State, and it is used at a punishment for insubordinate conduct, etc. It is utterly banned in the Terrain Union and other civilized nations, with possession bringing very heavy punishment. Actual use of such a terrible device may be subject to perpetual banishment or even the death penalty. The device is powered by a 100gm mini-cell with 100 charges, at a cost of CR 50. Each application of the rod exhausts 1d6 charges. Tech/7 weapon, used like a Foil.

Paralysis Rod: The Paralysis Rod is a 1000mm baton massing 1500gm. It contains a 100gm Powercell with 100 charges. The rod will temporarily paralyze the area of the body it touches and is similar in effect to a Stunner. It is general issue to Police as a Riot Control weapon. Each hit exhausts 1d6 charges from the powercell. Cost = CR 500. Tech/7 weapon, used like a Sabre.

LaserSword: The LaserSword consists of a 300mm hilt containing a JL57 continuous laser projector which will produce a focused laser beam of 500mm to 2000mm length. The 500gm KKK PowerCell contains 100 charges, one of which will be expended each time a hit is scored. The KKK can be recharged at a cost of CR 200 at any power main. The total weapon masses 1250gm and has the penetration power of a Laser HMG, and also its wounding factor. The weapon is used like a Katana., but has a speed factor of 10 and an effective length of 9. If it strikes a weapon other than a ForceBlade, LaserBlade, or LightSword, it has a 25% chance of sheering through it. When activated, the Laser’Blade’ is a brilliant blue-white or red in colour. Cost = CR 12 500 (M, R). Tech/8 weapon. When not in use, the laser beam is turned off.

LightSword: Of all the weapons developed for hand-to-hand combat, the LightSword is the most powerful. Only a Katana/10 Adept can use it to good effect. When so armed the Adept is the equivalent of 3 expertise levels higher than his opponent. The LightSword consist of a 300mm hilt massing 1250gm. It contains a PPK500 continuous TMTX forcefield (akin to a Blaster bolt) which has the penetration power of a Blast HMG, and also its wounding factor, The unit is developed from an artifact found on Formalhaut V by the Terran archaeologist Dr. T. M. Steiger in A.D. 2245, and it appears to have been one of the most prized melee weapons of the ForeRunners. The LightSword has a speed factor of 11 and an effective length of 9, for it can reach from 500mm to 2000mm. The powersource is a KTAM Klysestron 7c anti-matter powercell which will effectively activate the unit for its normal span of use. If it strikes a weapon other than a ForceBlade, LaserSword, or LightSword, it has a 50% chance of sheering through it. When activated, the LightSword is a deep violet •mauve colour. Cost = CR 35 000 (M, F). Tech/9 weapon. When not in use, the TMTX field is turned off.

Ranged Weapons

Given the vast diversity of cultures and technologies that span the galaxies of the Space Opera universe, the weapons that have been developed reflect this amazing breadth of military needs.

Recoiless (Gauss) Firearms

The ‘Recoiless’ rocket-firing weapons are Tech/7 descendants of such experimental guns as the Gyrojet rifles and pistols developed on Terra during the middle of the 20th century. The ammo consists of small, spin-stabilized rocket rounds which gather speed as they accelerate away from the muzzle of the weapon.

Recoiless weapons have the advantages of ‘no kick’ or recoil, while the slugs themselves will attain very high .velocities and deliver excellent hitting power against the target once the shells have reached full velocity. A Recoiless weapon can be fired under water (50% range divisions). Recoiless small arms have enjoyed popularity as rocket shells are unaffected by smoke and aerosols, which attenuate Laserfire. They do not drop off in velocity, unlike slugs fired by cartridge weapons, because the rockets fire throughout their flight. They continue in use in some regular forces, numerous militias, and training units. Civilian use is widespread in some areas. Long guns are sometimes referred to as ‘Cone Rifles’ because of the generally conical shape of the rocket rounds.

Weapon Type	Caliber	ROF	Ammo	Length	Mass	Cost (CR)
GyroJet Pistol	5mm	2/10	10c	250mm	850gm	500
GyroJet Rifle	5mm	2/10	30c	1000mm	3500gm	850
GyroJet Carbine	5mm	2/10	30c	750mm	2750gm	750
Cone Rifle	7mm	2/10	30c	l000mm	500gm	1000
Hv. Cone Rifle	10mm	2/10	20c	1000mm	3750gm	1200
Lt. InfR @	10mm	10	200c	1000mm	15kg	2500
Mdm. InfR @@	20mm	10	200c	1500mm	250kg	15000
Hv. LnfR @@	40mm	10	200c	2500mm	600kg	27500

@Tripod weapon.
@@Vehicle mounted in cupola or turret.
Cost and mass of ammo is:

Caliber of Ammo	Mass of 100 Rounds	Cost (CR)
5mm Gyro	1000gm	40
7mm Gyro	1350gm	50
10mm Cone	1750gm	60
10mm InfR*	10kg	200
20mm InfR*	50kg	1000
40mm InfR*	125 kg	3000

• Actual number of rounds is higher; Infinite Repeaters fire an

effective 500 rounds per minute.

All recoiless weapons will have a reduced penetration capability at point-blank and short range because the rocket rounds have not attained maximum velocity and are still accelerating. The 20mm InfR and 40mm InfR rocket shells contain explosive charges, as these weapons are actually automatic cannons which were expressly designed for anti-tank and anti-aircraft fire. Infinite Repeaters actually put out a high volume of fire and only ‘area’ autofire is possible against infantry, while autofire is used to score hits on any vehicle Because of their good underwater performance, they are often mounted in submarines and submersibles as close range offensive armament.

Gauss Rifles

One of the lines of weapon development led to the application of the linear magnetic accelerator to accelerate non-metallic slugs encased in discarding steel sabots to hypervelocity's, often in excess of 5000m per second. The main thrust was toward the development of heavy anti-tank cannon, but the bipod heavy gauss anti-tank rifle was developed for use by infantry. The gauss ‘rifle’ is clip-loaded with 20 hypervelocity rounds. Each round contains a mini-cell which powers the accelerator field, so it is unnecessary to provide a powercell with the weapon itself.

Gauss weapons are exceedingly expensive and have a somewhat slow rate of fire. However, they are devastating against even well-armored infantry, and even a light tank is not immune to its fire. The 20mm rounds can be obtained in ‘solid-shot’ and ‘APDSV explosive’ form. (APDSV = armourpiercing- discarding-sabot, hypervelocity round): A Tech/10 pistol version has been developed for the Terran Space-Forces, but it is not available to civilians.

Weapon Type	Calibre	ROF	Ammo	Length	Mass	Cost(CR)
Gauss Rifle*	20mm	2	20c	1000mm	9000gm	22,500
Gauss Pistol	20mm	2	6c	300mm	1500gm	15,000

• firearm rifle range category

Breakdown No. = 3/3 rolled every 10th firing. Cost and mass of ammo are:

Round	Warhead	Mass of 100 Rounds	Cost (CR)
APDSV	nil	7500gm	150
APDSVG	‘G’	7500gm	1000
APDSVF	‘F’	8000gm	2000
APDSVE	‘E’	8000gm	3500

Gauss ‘warhead’ rounds explode upon penetration of vehicle and tank armour, and damage inflicted on a vehicle is that of an equivalent ‘HE’ warhead which has effected penetration. The actual penetration, however, is based upon the capabilities of the gauss weapon itself.

Stat Rifle

The Stat rifle is a logical development of the Recoiless rocket guns. The Stat ‘Penetrator’ is designed for maximum projectile penetration of armor using a low velocity rocket shell with a shaped Viradex V explosive charge. The +2500°C gasses produced by the Viradex V detonation can effect a ‘burn through’ of the armor. The Stat Rifle is, in effect, a re-chambered heavy Cone Rifle using 15mm rocket rounds. The cost and general specifications of the Stat Rifle are the same as for the heavy Cone rifle (see 6.11). Ammo masses 3500gm per 100 rounds and costs CR 450. Note: Stat weapons are strictly military arms and rarely find their way into civilian hands. They are available in Tech/8 cultures.

Laser Weapons

The Laser enjoyed a short period of dominance as the chief battlefield weapon of late Tech/6 and early Tech/7 cultures before it was replaced with the Blaster. However, it can still be found in the armaments of many planetary defence force militia units, especially on colony planets, and it remains a very common civilian small arm. Lasers suffered from a number of disadvantages. Smoke and light-dispersing gases can attenuate Iaserfire. The amount a laser beam is weakened depends on the type of smokes gas, fog, or anti-laser aerosol the beam travels through to reach the target.

The advantages of laser weapons almost outweigh the disadvantages. Lasers are silent. The beams cannot be readily detected unless it is dim or dark, or if there is dust or smoke in the air to reflect a portion of the beam and so render them visible to observers. Certain laser wavelengths are effective under water (all range increments at 50%), which makes them an effective submarine weapon. Their lack of recoil also makes them a preferred weapon for combat in low pressure atmospheres and airless conditions in low/null gravity fields. Because it is inadvisable to fill spacecraft with smoke from anti-laser aerosol grenades, lasers remain a standard boarding weapon.

Lasers come in pistol, carbine (actually little more than an SMG), rifle, machine gun, and light and heavy cannon versions. Underwater lasers cost about 150% of standard models:

Weapon Type	Caliber	ROF	Ammo	Length	Mass	Cost(CR)
Laser Pistol	3mm	2/10	20c	200mm	750gm	1000
Laser Carbine	5mm	2/10	30c	500mm	2000gm	1750
Laser Rifle	5mm	2/10	30c	900mm	3250gm	2250
Laser LMG@	5mm	2/10	50c	1000mm	7500gm	3500
Laser MMG@@	7mm	10	100c	1250mm	15 kg	5000
Laser HMG@@	10mm	10	100c	1500mm	30 kg	7500
Hv. Laser @@@	20mm	10	200c	1800mm	200 kg	22,500

@Bipod mounted.
@@Tripod or TE/Mech mounted, often in a vehicle as a cupola or coaxial gun.
@@@Turret mounted vehicle weapon or aircraft/spaceship weapon: 25m Blast zone.
The powercells may be recharged at any power main in a time period (in seconds) equal to the calibre x no. charges. A 3m/20c powercell for a pistol, for instance, recharges in 60 sec.; a 20mm/200c heavy duty powercell recharges in 4000 sec. or 66.7 mm. or 1.11 hr. Of course, high voltage mains are available and cut the recharge time to 10%. Cost of a recharge = CR 0.50 per sec. The 20rnm/200c would therefore cost CR 2000 to recharge, while the 3mm/20c would cost only CR 30. Spare powercells can be carried. These cost an equivalent to one full recharge plus 125% and will mass 10gm per charge/ second. A 3mm/20c therefore costs CR 67.5 and masses 600gm, while the 20mm/100c costs CR 4500 and masses 40 000gm or 40 kg. Note: mass of powercell is in addition to weapon mass.

Blast Weapons

The moment Blasters appeared, they began to replace the Laser. Blasters fire a series of pulses of Nova-related energy (see Nova Guns in the Space Combat section).

Blasters are unaffected by smoke, haze, fog, aerosols, etc., except insofar as such conditions affect the firer’s ability to see his target. Blasters also create ‘fog’ when their beams hit significant amounts of standing water (but not when firing through mere fog or rain). When fired at flammable targets, Blasters have a 5 to 20 chance of igniting flammable materials and will create plenty of smoke.

Blasters have a limited range under water (10% range increments) and comparable liquids. They have a slight but significant recoil, so only EVA/5-10 personnel may employ them in freefall without the possibility of ‘tumbling’ and other unwanted effects. The beams are plainly visible in all conditions as bolts of brilliant bluish-white or violet light. The position of a firer can be determined quite readily, making mobility a necessity. The Blaster emits a sound reminiscent of sharply torn cloth blended with the whining scream of a ricocheting bullet. Heavy weapons have the undulating howl of a banshee as the pulse-bursts of. energy tear across the intervening distance to the target.

Blasters are universally regarded as military weapons, but in a universe in which most spacefarers will serve as some form of naval auxiliary or reserve force, the Blaster is fairly easy to acquire. At the same time, many starcultures frown upon possession of such destructive weaponry by persons clearly not in the military or else ‘approved’ as responsible citizens. In autocratic nations like the Azuriach lmperium or the Galactic Peoples Republic, possession of Blast weapons is a serious offense unless licensed by the governing authority (a rarity). Blast weapons come in pistol, carbine, rifle, and machine gun versions.

Weapon Type	Calibre	ROF	Ammo	Length	Mass	Cost (CR)
Blast Pistol	5mm	2/10	20c	250mm	1250gm	1500
Blast Carbine	5mm	2/10	30c	600mm	2250gm	2500
Blast Rifle	7mm	2/10	30c	1000mm	3500gm	3500
Blast LMG@	7mm	2/10	50c	1200mm	7500gm	6000
Blast MMG@@	10mm	10	100c	1200mm	15kg	9000
Blast HMG@@	15mm	10	100c	1500mm	30kg	15000
Hv. Blaster@@@	20mm	10	200c	1800mm	200kg	32500

@Bipod mounted.
@@Tripod mounted or TE/Mech mounted, often in a vehicle as a cupola or coaxial gun.
@@@Turret vehicle weapon or aircraft/spaceship weapon: 25m Blast Zone.
All Blast weapons utilise a powercell to energise their firing systems. The capacity of the powercell is given in the ammo column. All other specifications are as given for Laser powercells in the preceding section.

Needlers

‘Needlers’ were developed as lightweight, ‘tamper-proof’ Tech/7 military weapons. Operated by a mechanical spring device wound by hand or with a small but powerful torque wrench supplied with the gun, the weapons are totally silent at distances over 10m. Thus the position of the firer cannot usually be determined by sound. All needle guns fire 3m flechettes at high velocity which do surprising damage. The flechettes are sharp-edged and spin furiously upon penetrating the target, slashing through muscle, sinew, and even bone with awesome violence. It is a popular hunting weapon in the colonies, however, because it has fully automatic capabilities and is relatively inexpensive to operate. Thus colonial militias will evidence a good number of such weapons. It is also an excellent personal defense weapon.

Drugged and poisoned needles are available, but these will not penetrate armor over class H (chain-mail equivalent). Thus their use is restricted to ‘soft’ targets in limited or no armor. See 6.20 Poisons & Drugs for details. Needle weapons come in a pistol, carbine (SMG) and rifle version:

Weapon Type	Caliber	ROF	Ammo	Length	Mass	Cost (CR)
Mini Needler@	3mm	2/10	10c	100mm	250gm	200
Needle Pistol	3mm	2/10	20c	200mm	750gm	250
RazorGun	Carbine	3mm	2/10	50c	600mm	2500gm	450
Needle Rifle	3mm	2/10	50c	900mm	3250gm	550

@Hold-out weapon designed for concealment.
@@Use FireArm P.1 range.
Needle ammunition comes in 100-rounds lots (10c, 20c, or 50c clips) at CR 25 and at mass 500gm. Poisoned or drugged rounds are purchased at the costs indicated per ‘dose’ of chemicals, as given in 6.20 Poisons & Drugs.

Dart Guns

This Tech/6 weapon was originally developed to inject animals with a drug to pacify them without injury. It later became a popular hunting weapon in the colonies. The weapon fires a dart pneumatically, and it is therefore as hard to spot the firer from sound alone as it is to detect a needle rifleman.

Some darts are drugged or poisoned. Others are ‘shock darts’ (see below) which produce a deadly trauma through a combination of hydrostatic and electric shock to the victim’s body systems.

Weapon Type	Caliber	ROF	Ammo	Length	Mass	Cost (CR)
Dart Rifle	10mm	1	10	1000mm	3500gm	250

The weapons are loaded round by round, with 3 rounds loaded in a combat turn or 1 round and 1 shot in a combat turn. The compressed gas capsule is good for 100 shots. Ammunition costs CR 2.5 per dart, plus appropriate drugs or poisons, or CR 7.5 per shock dart. One round of the 10mm dart ammunition weighs 15gm, complete with drug or poison. It should be noted that Crossbow quarrels can be modified to take a dart or shock-dart tip.