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[[Image:Plasma-blastgun-mars.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A Plasma Blastgun mounted on a Mars Pattern Warhound Titan.{{Fn|7}}]]
The '''Plasma Blastgun''' is a [[Plasma Weapon]] employed by the [[Imperium]]. Generally used against [[Titan]]s, the Plasma Blastgun can devastate swaths of the battlefield with its superheated blasts of energy. Able to be mounted on almost all imperial [[Titans]]{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|3}}, this weapon is also the main armament on the [[Stormblade]]{{Fn|4}} super-heavy battle tank, first developed on [[Ryza]], a forgeworld famous for its mastery of plasma weapons.
==Background==
The Plasma Blastgun uses the same technology as its smaller cousins, the [[Plasma Pistol]], [[Plasma gun|Gun]], and [[Plasma Cannon|Cannon]], but on a massive scale. Like all plasma-based weaponry, the Plasma Blastgun is considered a lost relic of technology, even though it is part of the most common load-out on the [[Warhound Scout Titan]]. Unlike its temperamental little brother, the [[Plasma destroyer]]{{Fn|5}}, the Plasma Blastgun does not suffer from catastrophic overheating, possibly due to the large coolant systems required to maintain its massive mount vehicle's engines. It also has more tactical flexibility than most weapons used against Titans, due to its ability to either release an almighty blast of star-hot plasma, or several smaller bolt-shots to devastate infantry{{Fn|1}}. The Plasma Blastgun is too large a weapon for an independent source of plasma or gas for its supply of ammunition, so it almost always draws directly from its mount chassis's plasma reactor to fire{{Fn|6}}.
==Known Patterns==
===Mars Pattern Plasma Blastgun===
Found on [[Mars]] Pattern [[Warhound Scout Titan]]s,{{Fn|7}}, this weapon draws its power from the Titan's main reactor.{{Fn|1b}}{{Fn|6}}
===Ryza Pattern Plasma Blastgun===
The main armament of the [[Stormblade]],{{Fn|8}} Ryza-pattern blastguns are powered by massive photonic fuel cells and kept under control by a massive cooling system, making it a highly stable system.{{Fn|4}}
===Omega Pattern Plasma Blastgun===
A variant of the more common Ryza pattern, the Omega pattern blastgun was recovered in [[M39]] by [[Explorator]] [[Vaslistle Hum'nal]], though doctrinal argument within the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] would prevent its field testing and development for centuries. The weapon uses a more compact generator design and force crucible which is easier to manufacture and repair and can be mounted in smaller war machines such as the [[Macharius (Heavy Tank)|Macharius]], but also generates more heat and is less stable than the Ryza pattern. Regardless the weapon's benefits outweigh its drawbacks and is constructed on [[Lucius (Forge World)|Lucius]], [[Hellgrace]] and [[Dynax Primus]].{{Fn|8}}
== Sources ==
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Apocalypse]], *{{Cite ThisEndn|1a}}: Pg. 124 *{{Endn|1b}}: Pg. 125
*{{Endn|2}}: http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/pdf (reaver)
*{{Endn|3}}: http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?categoryId=cat60005a&aId=3400020 (Imperial Datasheet - Emperor Battle Titan)
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy]], Pg. 99
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition)]], {{Cite This}}
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Titanicus (Novel)]], {{Cite This}}
*{{Endn|7}}: [http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Titans/MARS-PATTERN-PLASMA-BLASTGUN-RIGHT-ARM.html Mars Pattern Plasma Blastgun]
*{{Endn|8}}: [[Imperial Armour - Apocalypse Second Edition]], Pg. 20
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