Shuriken
From Lexicanum
Shuriken weaponry is unique to the Eldar; its technology is extremely advanced and very difficult to replicate. Shuriken weapons fire a flesh-tearing hail of razor-sharp discs by means of a gravitic accelerator similar to the gravitic motors which power Imperial Land Speeders. The accelerator creates a peristaltic shift from the front to the rear of the firing chamber, hurling the shuriken missiles forward at a tremendous velocity. A burst of several missiles can be fired in a fraction of a second in this way.
The shuriken missiles themselves are razor-sharp monomolecular-edged discs of plasti-crystal, and are usually star-shaped, triangular or circular. A shuriken disc can slice straight through flesh and bone, and can penetrate a considerable thickness of metal or plasteel armour.
A single solid core of plasti-crystal material is used as ammunition. As the weapon is fired, high-energy impulses from the back of the weapon form the individual shuriken missiles by splitting the ammunition core.
This weapon-principle produces a very high rate of fire, allowing the weapon to fire up to a hundred rounds in one or two seconds and each core is good for around 10 of these bursts. The downside is the lack of rifling in the barrel reducing the accuracy drastically, thereby reducing its minimum range to one well under that of its solid slug counterparts.
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Types of shuriken weapons
Shuriken pistol
The shuriken pistol is the smaller version of the shuriken catapult and is fired one-handed. Certain heroes and warriors and the Striking Scorpion Aspect Warriors use shuriken pistols as a main weapon. Other Eldar units use them as secondary weapons. The Eldar name for this weapon is murehk.
Shuriken catapult
The shuriken catapult is the standard type of shuriken weapon, and is the basic weapon of the Guardians. The Eldar term for this weapon is tuelean.
Avenger shuriken catapult
The improved Avenger shuriken catapult is the standard weapon of the Dire Avenger Aspect Warriors. This version of the shuriken catapult has extended barrels, power feeds and inbuilt rangefinders. Their Phoenix Lord Asurmen wields a unique shuriken weapon connected to both of his vambraces.
Shuriken cannon
The much larger Shuriken Cannon works in a similar way to the Shuriken Catapult but has an ammunition coil to load the weapon more quickly and uses a triple accelerator field for improved rate of fire and power. While the versions above are all hand-held weapons the shuriken cannon is very large and needs stabilising gyroscopes to allow any accuracy. They are generally mounted on Guardian heavy weapon platforms and Eldar vehicles. The Eldar name for this weapon is buanna (reaper).
Shrieker cannon
Used by the Death Jester heavy weapon specialists of the Harlequins, the shuriken shot by the Shrieker cannon contain a virulent genetic toxin. The toxic is of terrible deadliness and works in a complex way, combining with a wounded victim's own genetic material, distorting tissue and causing organs to dysfunction. The toxin's replication begins to reach a fever pitch causing the victim's organs and tissues to react explosively.
Sources
- Codex: Eldar (4th Edition), pages 22 The Storm of Blades, 23 Shuriken Catapult, 30 Dire Avengers, 33 Striking Scorpions, 39 Guardian Heavy Weapon Plattform, 49 Shrieker Cannon, 55 Asurmen, the Hand of Asuryan
- Warhammer 40,000: Wargear (for 2nd edition), by Rick Priestley and Andy Chambers
