Difference between revisions of "Lasgun"
m (Reverted edits by Ceks (Talk) to last version by CommissarHarris) |
m (Minor grammar fixes/capitalization) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[image:Lasgun.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Standard Cadian pattern Lasgun]] | [[image:Lasgun.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Standard Cadian pattern Lasgun]] | ||
| − | The '''Lasgun''' is an energy based weapon, and is the most common and widely used type of [[laser weapon]] in the [[Imperium]]. It is standard issue for the [[Skitarii]]<sup>1</sup>, all [[Imperial Guard]] infantry and most lower officers. Lasguns are reliable, easy to maintain and | + | The '''Lasgun''' is an energy based weapon, and is the most common and widely used type of [[laser weapon]] in the [[Imperium]]. It is standard issue for the [[Skitarii]]<sup>1</sup>, all [[Imperial Guard]] infantry and most lower-ranked officers. Lasguns are reliable, easy to maintain and produce, and are readily available on most Imperial worlds. They have longer range than a [[Laspistol]], but are nowhere near as powerful as a [[Lascannon]]. They also lack the rapid fire quality of the [[Multi-laser]] or the [[Hellgun]]. |
| − | The lasgun uses the same basic technology and operates along the same lines as other las weapons, emitting a beam of focused light. The high amount of energy | + | The lasgun uses the same basic technology and operates along the same lines as other las weapons, emitting a beam of focused light. The high amount of energy in the beam causes the immediate surface area of a target to be vaporized in a small explosion<sup>2</sup>. It is a relatively unimpressive weapon when compared to other weapons in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, but is still capable of cleanly severing limbs or piercing the power armour of a Space Marine (but only through a vulnerable spot in the armour). Most designs have iron sights mounted along the top of the weapon. It is powered by a small, rechargeable power pack located beneath the weapon, in front of the trigger guard. The pack can be recharged in many ways, including sunlight. It can also be "overcharged," a trick used by Guard veterans that causes the pack to explode, turning the weapon into a makeshift grenade. This tactic is only used in last ditch situations as it results in the destruction of the weapon. Lasguns have several lethality settings that adjust the damage of each shot in order to conserve power (weaker settings use less energy) or disable rather than kill a target. The weapon can also be fitted with a "Hotshot" pack, providing more powerful but less numerous shots.<sup>2</sup> |
| − | The lasgun | + | The lasgun features a bayonet lug, allowing the weapon to be fitted with bayonets or combat knives. The sniper variant of the lasgun, known as the long-las, is the preferred weapon of Imperial Guard sharpshooters. The barrel of the long-las is extended to bolster the weapon's accuracy. The barrel requires replacement every 20-50 shots depending on the power setting and cool down time. For this reason, the long-las is outfitted with a "slide-lock" barrel, which is easily locked and unlocked from the weapon's housing. [[Mad Larkin]] from the [[Gaunt's Ghosts]] novels by [[Dan Abnett]] carried a long-las. |
| − | The standard pattern is known as the | + | The standard pattern is known as the "M-Galaxy," although hundreds of thousands of variants exist; the [[Cadian Shock Troops|Cadian]] variant is differs greatly from that used by the [[Tallarn Desert Raiders]], [[Tanith First and Only]] or [[Elysian Drop Troops]]. The M-Galaxy was first put into use in 2546789.[[M35]]<sup>2</sup>. |
| − | The lasgun and laspistol are possibly the weakest weapons in pure killing power of | + | The lasgun and laspistol are possibly the weakest weapons, in terms of pure killing power, among the commonly used guns of the Imperium; they are known widely as "flashlights." However, the strength of the of lasgun is in its massed, concentrated use. It has also been demonstrated that even a laspistol beam is capable of killing an unarmoured target, slicing limbs off and, if fired into an eye, searing the target's brain and causing immediate death. |
===Known Lasgun Patterns=== | ===Known Lasgun Patterns=== | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
*Mars Pattern Lasrifle - [[Jouran Dragoons]] | *Mars Pattern Lasrifle - [[Jouran Dragoons]] | ||
*M35 M-Galaxy<sup>3</sup> | *M35 M-Galaxy<sup>3</sup> | ||
| − | *MkIV Accatran pattern used mainly by Elysian | + | *MkIV Accatran pattern used mainly by Elysian Drop Troops<sup>3</sup> |
*Necromunda-pattern lasguns - manufactured on [[Necromunda (planet)|Necromunda]] | *Necromunda-pattern lasguns - manufactured on [[Necromunda (planet)|Necromunda]] | ||
*Number 98 [[Lucius_(Forgeworld)|Lucius]] Pattern Lasrifle<sup>4</sup> | *Number 98 [[Lucius_(Forgeworld)|Lucius]] Pattern Lasrifle<sup>4</sup> | ||
Revision as of 22:32, 17 August 2010
The Lasgun is an energy based weapon, and is the most common and widely used type of laser weapon in the Imperium. It is standard issue for the Skitarii1, all Imperial Guard infantry and most lower-ranked officers. Lasguns are reliable, easy to maintain and produce, and are readily available on most Imperial worlds. They have longer range than a Laspistol, but are nowhere near as powerful as a Lascannon. They also lack the rapid fire quality of the Multi-laser or the Hellgun.
The lasgun uses the same basic technology and operates along the same lines as other las weapons, emitting a beam of focused light. The high amount of energy in the beam causes the immediate surface area of a target to be vaporized in a small explosion2. It is a relatively unimpressive weapon when compared to other weapons in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, but is still capable of cleanly severing limbs or piercing the power armour of a Space Marine (but only through a vulnerable spot in the armour). Most designs have iron sights mounted along the top of the weapon. It is powered by a small, rechargeable power pack located beneath the weapon, in front of the trigger guard. The pack can be recharged in many ways, including sunlight. It can also be "overcharged," a trick used by Guard veterans that causes the pack to explode, turning the weapon into a makeshift grenade. This tactic is only used in last ditch situations as it results in the destruction of the weapon. Lasguns have several lethality settings that adjust the damage of each shot in order to conserve power (weaker settings use less energy) or disable rather than kill a target. The weapon can also be fitted with a "Hotshot" pack, providing more powerful but less numerous shots.2
The lasgun features a bayonet lug, allowing the weapon to be fitted with bayonets or combat knives. The sniper variant of the lasgun, known as the long-las, is the preferred weapon of Imperial Guard sharpshooters. The barrel of the long-las is extended to bolster the weapon's accuracy. The barrel requires replacement every 20-50 shots depending on the power setting and cool down time. For this reason, the long-las is outfitted with a "slide-lock" barrel, which is easily locked and unlocked from the weapon's housing. Mad Larkin from the Gaunt's Ghosts novels by Dan Abnett carried a long-las.
The standard pattern is known as the "M-Galaxy," although hundreds of thousands of variants exist; the Cadian variant is differs greatly from that used by the Tallarn Desert Raiders, Tanith First and Only or Elysian Drop Troops. The M-Galaxy was first put into use in 2546789.M352.
The lasgun and laspistol are possibly the weakest weapons, in terms of pure killing power, among the commonly used guns of the Imperium; they are known widely as "flashlights." However, the strength of the of lasgun is in its massed, concentrated use. It has also been demonstrated that even a laspistol beam is capable of killing an unarmoured target, slicing limbs off and, if fired into an eye, searing the target's brain and causing immediate death.
Known Lasgun Patterns
- M36 Kantrael - Standard lasrifle used mainly by Cadians and Shock Troops3
- Mk4 Catachan Lascarbine3
- Mars Pattern Lasrifle - Jouran Dragoons
- M35 M-Galaxy3
- MkIV Accatran pattern used mainly by Elysian Drop Troops3
- Necromunda-pattern lasguns - manufactured on Necromunda
- Number 98 Lucius Pattern Lasrifle4
