Approved Tech Retribution Plasma Cannon

[Ashin Varanin]

OOC/ I've been requested to tag [member="Raziel"] as my judge for this submission.

Intent: A highly advanced plasma cannon derived from exotic technology.
Development Thread:

• [link] - Jorus’ Rebel Alliance (progenitor of the Underground) obtains half a prison frigate armed with Qektoth-derived weapons (34 posts)
• [link] - The Underground raids a Fringe shipment of experimental technology (52 posts)
• [link] - The Underground explores the Kathol Outback and obtains large quantities of Qektoth weaponry (63 posts)
• Total: 149 posts

Manufacturer: Silk
Model: QQ-N31 Conqueror
Affiliation: The Underground and select customers, Galactic Alliance
Modularity: No
Production: Limited (usable on limited-production starships only).
Material: Exotic technology, standard starship weapon housings.
Classification: Exotic ion cannon.
Size: Comparable to a laser or turbolaser cannon.
Length: Comparable to a laser or turbolaser cannon.
Weight: Comparable to a laser or turbolaser cannon.
Ammunition Type: Comparable to a laser or turbolaser cannon.
Ammunition Capacity: Comparable to a laser or turbolaser cannon.
Effective Range: Roughly 40-50% of the range of a laser or turbolaser cannon. Long-range Retribution Plasma Cannons have a range comparable to a standard turbolaser cannon.
Special Features:

• Retribution Plasma Cannons completely bypass ray/particle/deflector/etc. shielding.
• Retribution Plasma Cannons have a very short range.
• Against hulls, Retribution Plasma Cannons deal high external damage (e.g. against turrets, arrays, launchers engines) relative to turbolasers but have lesser penetrative power. For example, a heavy, close-range, ongoing bombardment from Retributions may leave half your ship weaponless but won't have breached the reactor unless your ship is ridiculously skinny.

Description: Retribution Plasma Cannons are derived from Qektoth Confederation technology, found several months' journey past Kal'Shebbol into the least charted areas of the Kathol Outback. Qektoth technology was, at one point, obtained by the Fringe Confederation, but proved unwieldy and was only ever employed on a single class of vessel. When the Rebel Alliance obtained one of those vessels, the guns were cannibalized for emergency use and research purposes. Eventually, the Alliance's successor, the Underground, identified the source of the technology and sent an eighteen-month expedition into the Kathol Outback. The expedition succeeded in, among other things, procuring and adapting large amounts of Qektoth weapons technology, then returning to the known galaxy. The adapted and captured weapons were sold to Silk Holdings in return for access to derivative technologies. Silk generally keeps the Retribution off publicly known product lists and sells only to select customers.

The primary obstacle to duplication of Qektoth plasma weapons principles was the partially biological nature of Qektoth technology. Between the efforts of the Underground expedition and the Silk R&D teams, the precise energy/particle effects of Qektoth plasma weaponry were duplicated through wholly technological means, and weaponized into limited production.

The resulting weapons, in a holdover from the Qektoth weapons, cause immense power drain relative to range. Retribution Plasma Cannons have a significantly shorter range than standard laser or turbolaser cannons, as their shots dissipate more quickly.
Primary Source: Information on Qektoth technology found in the DarkStryder Campaign, primarily The Kathol Outback.

 

[Raziel]

RESEARCH REVIEW<br /> <br />Star Wars Canon:<br />Pending initial review<br /> <br />Starwars Chaos: <br />Pending initial review<br /> <br />WITHOUT DEV THREADS<br />Pending initial review<br /><br />WITH DEV THREADS<br />Pending Initial review<br /><br />SUGGESTIONS<br />Pending Inital review

 

[Raziel]

[member="Alec Rekali"]

Other than short range, does this have any debilitating effects on the host ship?

This looks a little unbalanced as is.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Raziel"]

It's got a 50% increased cost and a greatly reduced range compared to the only comparable approved weapon, with 3x the dev. The upside is that these can be capital-scale. Your call.

 

[Raziel]

[member="Alec Rekali"]

I think the piercing of shields is less of an issue at starfighter scale. The films show fighter shields to take pretty low damage from starfighter-grade weaponry anyway.

Starships on the other hand are shown giving each other serious broadsides at close to point blank range for a period of time before going down. (noted this is unclear whether armour or shields)

What would make me happier, is some kind of statement, that perhaps these have less penetrative power than equivalent turbolasers? This way the opposing side had wiggle room to take a serious pelting to external systems and armour (ie being stripped of weaponry and sensors, and even shield generators), rather than immediately suffering catastrophic damage.

I think this works from a fluff perspective, as with the sister sub, you'd have two weapons with drawbacks, which need precision application.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Raziel"]

That right there -- that's what I was looking for. Perfect. I'll toss it in.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Raziel"] - Edits made. How's that look?

 

[Raziel]

[member="Alec Rekali"]

Excellent.

Pending Approval

[member="Alric Kuhn"] I'm content this is good for balance, but please take a look.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

As with the other sub do not abuse this or it will be pulled.

Approved.