Plasma gun
From Lexicanum
A plasma gun is a generic term for a two handed, rifle like, plasma based weapon used by the forces of the Imperium as well as Chaos in a support role. The weapon fires a highly energised ball of hydrogen based plasma.1 This plasma ball or 'bolt' is accelerated through a magnetic accelerator, which upon impact with the target detonates with the power of a small sun.1 Generally Imperial models are prone to overheating and can cause severe injury or death to the user should they experience such a meltdown. Imperial Guardsmen consider it a dubious honor to be chosen as a squads plasma gunner for this exact reason.2 Aesthetically they appear to be stubby and rather clunky, with a ribbed back and flared cooling vents along the front. Hydrogen flasks stick out of the butt, and bottom of the weapon.7 These flasks generally contains enough fuel for at least 10 shots before needing to be replaced.6 Replacing these flasks is time consuming and difficult in the best of situations.7 Handheld plasma guns can be found throughout the Imperial war machine, from the mighty Imperial Guard to the elite Space Marines.
Other races, such as the Tau are known to employ weapons similar in function to the plasma gun such as the plasma rifle. While not as destructive as Imperial plasma weapons, the Tau equivalent is not prone to the catastrophic failures of the Imperial version.4
Known Plasma Gun Patterns
- MK XII "Ragefire"3
- MK V Mars Pattern1
- MK 35 'Magnacore' - Cadian Issue6
- MK II Accatran Pattern 5
Sources
- Warhammer 40,000: Wargear
- 1Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks - Part One
- 2Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition) p69
- 3Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition)
- 4Codex: Tau Empire (4th Edition)
- 5Imperial Armour Volume Four - The Anphelion Project p136
- 6Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook p34
- 7Warhammer 40,000 3rd Edition Rulebook p60
