Blasters Overview

A Concise Overview of Blasters

You are an Imperial soldier.

Long ago, battles were fought primitively, with stones and clubs. More recently, projectile weapons were utilized by the legions of old to destroy their adversaries. Then came our standard for the last few thousand years: the blaster. Now, we live in a seeming golden age, for we fight for the Emperor, and his Empire, not with sticks and stones, not with silly metal bullets; we use only the latest, the cutting-edge, and the most modern weaponry. We use the best blasters in the galaxy in the Imperial Army.

These weapons have one primary purpose: to destroy the enemy. Indeed, that is your primary purpose as an Imperial soldier. As such, your weaponry, whatever it may be, should be cherished, loved, respected, and cared for. It can rescue you, and save your life so that you may live to destroy the enemy another day. Your weapons may cause the deaths of the Emperor’s enemies, and if even one were cut down it would be worth it.

You are an Imperial soldier, and your weaponry should be an extension of yourself. You should employ it with discernment, looking at a situation as a whole picture, rather than just a small part. Your weaponry should always be chosen with sound strategy in mind.

There are many different blasters in use by the Imperial Army. Not all of them are used extensively, and not all are widely available to all officers and troops. However, it is best that you know of the variety of weapons that you may come across in your service to your Emperor. Below are a few important definitions you should be familiar with, as well as a short summary of each of aforesaid blasters you may encounter.

Ranged Energy Weapons

It is important to first understand the concept of ranged energy weapons (blasters). They are the most common types of ranged weapons in the galaxy, and have been dominant for centuries. They fire bolts of concentrated, coherent light that strike with a concussive impact. In addition, most blasters can be tailored to stun an opponent.

The most common energy weapons are blaster pistols and blaster rifles, which are commonly referred to as blasters. Within a blaster, a gas with high energy potential (i.e. Tibanna gas) is fed into a conversion enabler and excited by energy from a power source (usually a portable, built-in energy cell). The excited gas passes into the actuating blaster module, where it is compressed into a bundle of tightly packed energy particles. This bundle in turn passes through a prismatic crystal to focus it into a beam, which is further concentrated and shaped in the barrel by the galven circuitry. The final beam escapes from the emitter nozzle at the muzzle as a coherent blast of brilliant energy.

Blasters provide a great deal of punch for the investment. They vary from easily concealed hold-out pistols to huge repeating weapons (most of which are not covered in this course).

Imperial Weapons: Definitions to Know

Blaster Pistol
Blaster pistols are small energy weapons wielded with one hand. They are the most common energy weapons in the galaxy. The blaster pistol is carried by law enforcement agents, galactic merchants, and anyone with a need for basic firepower.

Hold-out Blaster
Hold-out blasters, some types of which are also called palm blasters, disposable blasters, or throw-aways, are small, easily concealed energy weapons that can fit into a pocket, a satchel, or the folds of a robe with little difficulty. Because of their ease of concealment, hold-out blasters are restricted no many civilized worlds. However, laws against hold-out blasters are typically brought into play only after the possessor has gotten in trouble for greater crimes. Because of their small size, hold-out blasters do not use power packs as normal blasters, heavy blasters, and blaster rifles do. Rather, they normally rely on energy cells, which provide sufficient firepower for only a few shots before they burn out.

Heavy Blaster Pistol
The heavy blaster pistol is a class of energy weapon that seeks to combine the utility of the handgun-sized blaster pistol with the punch of a blaster rifle. The resulting weapon is heavier than a standard blaster pistol, and has a shorter range, but it can deal out more damage on average than the lighter pistols.

Blaster Rifle/Carbine
The standard-issue weapon of armed forces throughout the galaxy, the blaster rifle is a long-barreled energy weapon with a heavy stock. It is usually fired with two hands. It is primarily used by military forces, however a few inevitably fall into the Black Market.
A blaster carbine is a kind of blaster rifle that saves weight with a shorter barrel and a smaller stock. These changes result in a lighter and less cumbersome weapon, at the expense of range and stunning ability. Both blaster rifles and carbines normally have an automatic (multifire) mode.

Imperial Weapons Described

Hold-out Blasters

Czerka 411
The Czerka 411 was developed for the Empire as a hold-out blaster with a relatively long range. A tighter emitter muzzle gives it that quality, thought it makes the weapon less effective at dealing damage.

Imperial Munitions Model 22T4
A tough little weapon with a powerful punch, the 22T4 was made by Imperial-controlled factories using designs provided by Merr-Sonn. Unlike many other such weapons, the 22T4 was subjected to rigorous testing and quality control. The resulting weapon was issued to each member of the Imperial Security Bureau as a person sidearm. Each 22T4 has a serial number concealed on the underside of the actuating blaster module.

Merr-Sonn Model B22 "Imperial"
The B22 was the result of the Imperial bureaucracy’s desire for an easily concealed weapon its political agents could use. The success of the B22 resulted in the eventual creation of the 22T4 (see above) in the Empire’s own factories. Its finger-slotted handgrip allows for a fast, accurate draw from a pocket or belt.

Blaster Pistols

BlasTech DH-17
A workhorse of a blaster pistol, the long-nosed DH-17 continues to be popular even after the introduction of more advanced models. While later models such as the DL-18 provide more energy in exchange for a shorter range, the DH-17 is still a weapon of choice on both sides of this Civil War, primarily because of its extended range.

BlasTech DL-18
The DL-18 has served as the galaxy’s basic blaster for decades. It was the foundation of many later BlasTech designs, as well as the company’s fortunes. Versatile enough to balance multiple requirements, the BlasTech DL-18 is often customized by its owner.

BlasTech DL-22
The BlasTech DL-22 uses a higher-grade focusing crystal in the barrel to increase the damage just a fraction, at the expense of its stunning ability. Though this extra damage is regarded as a minor benefit for the added cost, the weapon is a good choice for individuals who intend to invest additional time to produce a harder-hitting weapon through customization.

BlasTech DH-23 "Outback"
A modification of the DH-17, the DH-23 is built with one principle attribute in mind: durability. Its range and effectiveness as a stun weapon are inferior to the DH-17, but it has a more effective heat radiator shroud and tight body construction, making the Outback more difficult to break.

BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol
The archetypal heavy blaster, the DL-44 is designed with lethal close combat in mind. Its range is shorter than a blaster pistol’s, but the damage it can deliver at close range makes up for this shortcoming.

Merr-Sonn "Flash" 4 Heavy Blaster Pistol
The Merr Sonn “Flash” 4 is little more than a copycat design of the DL-44. Like the DL-44, its design utilizes a “cautionary pulser” grip that sends out a vibration to warn the user when the power pack is down to five shots or fewer. Unfortunately, the Imperial Munitions design lacks this feature. Often in the heat of battle, it is impossible to feel such a vibration, and neither weapons company wanted to accept that responsibility.

Imperial Munitions/SoroSuub SC4
A tracking device in the grip records when and where this weapon is fired. When in range of the global positioning network, it transmits this information to an Imperial tracking computer. A SoroSuub design provided for the Empire, the SC-4 is a solid, dependable blaster.

Merr-Sonn Model 44
The Merr-Sonn alternative to the BlasTech DH-17, the Model 44 is similar to the DH-18 in performance if not appearance. Like the DH-18, it is a highly customizable baseline blaster pistol that serves a variety of needs equally well.

Merr-Sonn IR5 "Intimidator"
A radical departure from traditionally Merr-Sonn pistol designs, the Intimidator is a bulky, angular weapon – practically a heavy blaster – but it sacrifices range, damage, and accuracy for the benefit of a full automatic setting.

Merr-Sonn “Power” 5 Heavy Blaster Pistol
The Power 5 was the first new design of Merr-Sonn in the heavy blaster category, after the Flash 4 showed that the company could compete against the DL-44. Because it is made of lighter-weight material than the Flash 4 or BlasTech DL-44, the Power 5 is a little more fragile than either of those typical heavy blaster models.

SoroSuub Model Kylan-3
Following the trend of “superheavy” blasters started by the DT-12, SoroSuub produced a stocky, hard-hitting weapon that was jokingly referred to as a Sullustan Blaster Rifle(though Sullustans can wield the weapon one-handed, as can all Medium-size creatures).

Blaster Rifles

BlasTech E-11 "Freedom One" Blaster Rifle
The most identifiable blaster rifle in existence, the compact E-11 looks almost like a carbine at first glance. Its lightweight stock folds up underneath the body of the weapon, and its cooling fins and heat vents reduce the need for a long barrel. A marvel of engineering, the easily produced E-11 is most commonly known as the stormtrooper blaster, though it is the Army’s primary weapon as well.

Imperial Munitions StarAnvil Heavy Blaster Rifle
This has been called the ultimate blaster rifle. It is a longblaster in the tradition of the BlasTech A280 (see below). Its designers combined the scope technology of a sporting blaster rifle with the power of a more traditional longblaster to create a nasty, accurate, powerful weapon.

DLT-20A Blaster Rifle & A280 Blaster Rifle
These are two similar models of powerful, oversized blaster rifles often utilized by mounted troops. These blaster rifles are ideally suited to reconnaissance missions where the ability to hit a foe at a great distance is highly valued. The A280 is based on the initial design of the DLT-20A. An expert can tell that the galven circuits are more bunched near the focusing crystal of the A280, creating a slight bulge at the midsection of the weapon. This change increases the weapon’s accuracy and stopping power.

Xerrol Nightstinger Sniper Rifle
Produced by Xerrol Corporation for discerning clients (such as the Empire), the Nightstinger has the signature ability to fire an invisible bolt of energy. This ability to strike invisibly is balanced by some extreme drawbacks. The weapon uses customized canisters of specially formulated gas to help create the bolt. These canisters give the Nightstinger a unique look, and the canisters cannot be modified to fit other blasters. The Nightstinger can also fire only five shots befor its special gas canister must be replaced.

BlasTech T-21 Light Repeating Blaster
The archetypical light repeating blaster, this weapon is identifiable by its two sets of focusing coils, one next to the targeting sensor and one at the muzzle itself. The T-21 uses a standard power pack, which has enough energy for thirty shots. It may also be plugged into a separate power source, giving it effectively unlimited ammunition (at the expense of mobility). The weapon is susceptible to the extreme heat of autofire. Internal cooling units keep the downtime to a minimum, but the weapon is not made for long-term firefights.

SoroSuub X-45 Sniper Rifle
The SoroSuub corporation attempted to have its cake and eat it too by producing the X-45, a highly accurate rifle with an overfocused beam. The focusing produces a blaster bolt thinner than normal, but much more lethal. The X-45 is extremely fragile, and as such it is usually carried in a case until needed.

Please note that the above list of Imperial ranged weaponry is by no means a definitive list. These are simply some of the most common weapons that you may encounter as an Imperial officer. As you travel and gain experience, you may find many other weapons, and may even choose one to be your weapon-of-choice in a surface engagement. However, no matter what weapon you choose, remember that their primary purpose is to destroy the enemy.

Imperial Weapons Safety

With the great power that comes from wielding a ranged energy weapon, also comes great responsibility. Friendly fire is not acceptable in the Imperial Army. Therefore, the irresponsible handling of weapons will not be tolerated. An Imperial soldier must be certain that his weapons are used only for the mission he has been assigned and must also be cautious so that non-combatants are not injured or killed unnecessarily. Below are some safety rules that you should always follow when you handle your weapons.

1. ALWAYS keep the weapon pointed in a safe direction. This is the primary rule of weapon safety. A safe direction means that the blaster is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.
2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot at the enemy. When holding a blaster, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the blaster. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.
3. ALWAYS keep the blaster set to a medium power setting, rather than lethal or stun, unless the situation dictates otherwise (Read: combat situations). Whenever you pick up a blaster, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and check to be sure it is set to its medium power setting.
4. ALWAYS know your target and what is beyond. Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are friendly forces, non-combatants, or dangerous materials (i.e. flammable containers), unless the ignition of said dangerous materials will affect your tactical situation favorably. Think first. Shoot second.
5. ALWAYS know how to use the blaster safely. Before handling a blaster you are unfamiliar with, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely remove and replace the power packs. Remember, a blaster's safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe blaster handling.
6. ALWAYS be sure the blaster is safe to operate. Just like other tools, they need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the blaster's general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a blaster's ability to function, a knowledgeable quartermaster should look at it.
7. NEVER use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting. Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting blasters.
8. ALWAYS store blasters so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons. Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store blasters. A person's particular situation will be a major part of the consideration.
   

Cleaning

Regular cleaning is also important in order for your blaster to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your blaster should be cleaned after every time that it is used.

A blaster brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the blaster from operating properly.

Before cleaning your blaster, make absolutely sure that the power packs have been taken out. The blaster should be set to stun, with the safety on, even though the power packs have been removed. Also, be sure that no flammable material is present in the cleaning area.

-Originally compiled by General Kyros Terrian, from various sources, including the Star Wars Arms & Equipment Sourcebook

 

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