Weapon Stygian Reaches Sparker Technology

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SPARKER TECHNOLOGY

AFFILIATION
Free use.

MANUFACTURER
Various.

TYPE
Weapon classification.POWER SUPPLY
External.

SENSORS
N/A.

SIZE
Varies.

COMPOSITION
Various metals and ceramics.

DESCRIPTION​

Sparkers are a classification of weapons technology which was developed in the Stygian Reaches. Distantly related to beamer weapons, sparkers are likewise an offshoot of beam tubes, however whereas modern beamers fire a solid continuous beam, sparkers are more diffuse, projecting an invisible magnetic confinement beam through which randomized packets of energized plasma are conducted. The effect is a stream of directed "sparks," distinctive in appearance and highly destructive.

Sparkers have a lower power draw than beamer weapons, and can thus be maintained for longer, with a typical beam endurance of several seconds, compared to a beamer's split-second pulses. This allows the beam to be swept over targets, or fixed on a single one over longer duration for greater damage. There are, of course, disadvantages; the weapon's lower average power output and more diffuse beam makes it less effective against armor and magnetic seals, limiting it primarily to anti-personnel work, or destroying light vehicles and other soft targets. The weapon most closely resembles a blaster cannon or equivalent autoblaster in role and power, and comes in light, medium and heavy varieties. They are primarily mounted on vehicles due to their weight and power requirements.

LEGALITY​

Restricted. Sparker weapons are considered artillery, and are generally only permitted for military use.

INTENT​

To create a specialized vehicle-mounted weapon to be used in the Stygian Reaches.

RESTRICTIONS​

Sparker weapons are only manufactured within the Stygian Reaches, and are not generally used or available in the old Galaxy unless specially imported.