Conversion beam projector
A conversion beam projector, often called a "conversion beamer" or simply a "beamer", is a heavy energy weapon.
Contents
Overview
The conversion beamer fires a high intensity energy beam, which transforms matter into pure energy. A heavily armoured target or dense material will be rent apart as its matter explodes. The more dense the material of the target the more energy that is converted, making conversion beamers particularly good against heavily armoured troops, vehicles and buildings. The intensity of the beam increases as it extends further from the weapon, becoming increasingly dangerous, until it reaches the focal point where the beam is so intense that the energy has to be released in a violent explosion.[1][8]
Smaller versions were once known to be occasionally carried by Terminator Marines for cutting through bulkheads when exploring Space Hulks, but this practice is no longer prevalent[Needs Citation].
An unfortunate downside to conversion beamers is that they are incredibly large and heavy (as they require a number of massive capacitors that line the projection tube) and must remain absolutely motionless when operated, or the intensity of the beam will be negated, rendering the shot useless.[8] Because of this, conversion beamers are usually fitted to self-propelled, wheeled carriages or anti-gravity platforms (the operators will often remain at a safe distance using some form of remote control).[Needs Citation] Users of the smaller hand-held versions are forced to wear boots with special claws to provide more stable purchase. Another problem with the conversion beamer is the length of time they need build up the energy that is released in the beam. Although it is only a second or so, it is easily long enough for potential targets to have moved or escape the field of fire.[8]
Variants
Heavy Conversion Beamer
A more powerful version of the "regular" beamer - is an ancient relic-weapon of incredible and poorly-understood power[6]. It is sometimes found on Contemptor Pattern Dreadnoughts[3], Decimator Daemon Engines[4] and Deimos pattern Predators Executioner.[5]
Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought's Heavy Conversion Beamer[6]
Imperial Fists Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought with Heavy Conversion beam projector and Close Combat Arm (Claw)[7]
Conversion Beam Cannon
Among the largest known surviving examples of the rare and delicate conversion beam technology, Conversion Beam Cannons are mounted on Knight Asterius vehicles. They are rightly feared as siege weapons and fortress breakers. These gigantic weapons, when tied to the complex systems concealed within the Acastus Knight Asterius’ carapace, are focused on a target point while the beams are calibrated and aligned, causing a sub-atomic implosion that literally tears all matter in the target zone apart.[9]
Sources
- 1: Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition), pg. 70
- 2: Codex: Grey Knights (5th Edition), pg. 59
- 3: Forge World — Contempator Pattern Dreadnought (PDF) (accessed 2011.07.01)
- 4: Decimator
- 5: Deimos Pattern Predator
- 6: http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Space_Marines/Space-Marine-Dreadnoughts/CONTEMPTOR_HEAVY_CONVERSION_BEAMER.html (last accessed 10 April 2015)
- 7: White Dwarf 2 (2014), Reader's Model of the Week
- 8: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, pg. 82
- 9: Warhammer Community
Uncited