Welcome to Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum! Log in and join the community.

Laser weapon

From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
Revision as of 18:32, 28 September 2010 by Acidface (talk | contribs)
Jump to: navigation, search
Ranged Close Combat

Laser weapons or las weapons is a name given to all Imperial and some alien laser based weapons. Imperial laser technology is relatively simple, most Imperial worlds possessing the technological base needed for their manufacture. Las weapons are cheap, easy to maintain and are some of the most reliable weapons of the Imperium. They are issued in vast numbers to the Imperial Guard in the form of the lasgun and these are readily available on most Imperial worlds.

Workings

Laser weapons emit a highly focused beam of light. The short duration high energy beam produces such a rapid temperature change on the target's surface that it vaporises in a small explosion.

Lasguns fire with a searing flash of light and the distinctive snap or crack of ionised air, each pull of the trigger firing a single shot.

Rechargeable power packs feed the discharge generator. Power packs usually possess a highly efficient liquid metal core and vary from small internal packs for lasguns and pistols, to crate sized for lascannons and larger las weapons. Most light power packs provide forty shots, compared to the lascannon packs which are good for only one shot. Las weapons can be overpowered with "Hotshot" power packs, providing more power but less shots. Hotshot packs cannot easily be recharged and the extra stress put on the barrel requires much more maintenance. Power packs can be easily recharged by exposing them to heat, or sunlight through solar converters. In an emergency a pack can be placed in a fire and quickly recharged, although this method shortens the life of the pack and can destroy it altogether.

Most worlds produce their own distinct designs made of locally available materials. Many las weapon designs include solar converters and various types of optic sights. Designs include derringer type pistols, highly ornate hand-crafted duelling pistols and the more robust versions issued to the Imperial Guard.

Types of laser weapons

Imperium

Weapons used on Imperial Warmachines:

Weapons used on Imperial Titans:

Eldar

Sources