Equipment/Proposed/Microwave laser

Official Description

A hybrid of human and alien technology, this weapon uses particle beam focusing methods coupled with developments in human laser technology to fire a controlled, directed burst of microwaves towards a target.

The microwaves fall between the Super High Frequency and Extreme High Frequency rages of wave-form enegry. This allows them to literally cook an opponent, normal armour leaving little in the way of protection; making this a decent counter the natural toughness of the Ortnocks and other extra terrestrial lifeforms. Artificial opponents are affected even more, since the waves disrupt circuitry.

Battle Implications

Similar in form and function to a laser rifle, the Microwave Laser (MwL) is far more potent; though technically not a laser per se. Shielding has been developed to protect the operator from the weapon's discharge. However in order to render an emitter and power pack small enough to carry, the waves produced dissipate quickly. A microwave laser weapon therefore becomes a medium-range assault weapon.

MwLs have a much higher damage than a standard laser, though not as strong as a particle beam weapon - their cost is also extremely high, but their versitility can often far outweigh these considerations, so long as their abilities are well complimented with the equipment of fellow squad members. It also has an advantage over standard laser weapons in that the 'beam' is not so easily dissipated by smoke or haze, and is not subject to refraction like the wavelengths used by a laser ray.

An MwL weapon's fire can be distinguished by the blue-violet colour of the 'ray'; though invisible to the naked eye, the microwaves fired have a tendancy to interact with particles in the atmosphere and also expreience a form of 'red-shift' as the electromagnetic waves leave the emitter.

Primary fire: Single shot.

Secondary fire: 'Flame' style burst. Uses 3x as much ammo to fire.

Decent accuracy up to medium-long range, abruptly stops any further than that. Secondary fire has a very short range, about that of a flame thrower and with the same firing effect.

Damage Type

• Damage/laser (possibly plasma, since extreme heat is the actual effect created; might be easier than creating a new damage type of 'microwave')

Skill

• Skills/sniper (Primary)
• Skills/heavy (Secondary)

--MNONE 16:46, 29 December 2006 (CET)MNONE