Weapons of The Stellar Imperium

This article contains a large, but not exhaustive, list of the various types of weaponry used by the Stellar Imperium in the From Gods unto Men universe. The various weapons, grouped according to their category, are discussed in detail, including their standard specifications. With the evolution of the From Gods unto Men still being in its infancy, many different kinds of weapons and equipment will be described and some will potentially no longer be in use by the armed forces of the Stellar Imperium. Whenever appropriate, the history of the weapon is described, including some of the more notable units or individuals that are known to use that weapon.
The Stellar Imperium is a vast, galaxy-spanning interstellar human empire. There are many branches of the Imperium's armed forces and law enforcement agencies, and much of their equipment is common across multiple branches of the same service. The armed forces of the Stellar Imperium include, but are not limited to, the Era Angelus and Luminous Imperial Marines, the Emperors Guard Regiments, the Jovian Mechanicus, and the Five Orders of the I.S.S.
== Close-Combat Weapons ==
A close-combat weapon is any weapon that can be used to make a melee assault. This includes various common melee weapons such as swords, knives, bayonets, maces, axes, clubs and even pistols. It also includes some unorthodox natural weapons such as claws, tails, beaks and teeth. Specific intelligent races of the galaxy maintain certain preferences for different close-combat weapon types. The Imperial Marines make common use of Chainswords, and occasionally of Power Weapons. The Emperors Guard prefer Power Swords and possibly Chainswords for officers and non-commissioned officers and bayonets for non-commissioned officers and enlisted soldiers. Certain Emperors Guard regiments also make extensive use of their Combat Knives such as the Jungle Fighters of Alavis.
=== Two-Handed Weapons ===
Some Imperial troops have the option of wielding weapons that require two hands to use effectively, such as the Xth Imperial Marine Legions standard pattern Eviscerator Blades. These weapons have the advantage of increasing the effective damage the wielder can bring to bear on a foe, but come with their own disadvantages, such as rapid overheating, and normally slowing the user in melee combat.
=== Force Weaponry ===
Force Weapons, by comparison to normal weapons, utilize focused energy fields to increase the deadliness of the weapon. The weapon uses a generator, either in its hilt or an external backpack, to sheathe its striking surfaces in a disruptive energy field allowing it to cut through most known forms of matter. Such a weapon can carve through armor and stone with as much resistance as empty air; typically only other energy fields can safely counter the effects of a force weapon. Force weapon technology is limited and all examples are crafted individually by skilled artisans; commonly in the form of a sword, ax, or hammer, but sometimes in a more exotic form such as a whip, or Scythe. Even without the power field active the weapon will be of the highest quality and will retain its killing potency in the hands of a skilled fighter. The rarest of Force Weapons consist only of the weapon hilt, and when activated an energy blade is projected, but it is unknown whether or not it can reflect energy weapons like lasers. An example of such a weapon was a sword wielded by the Luminarch Sandalphon Alaric.
==== Lightning Talon ====
A Lightning Talon is a specialized type of force weapon, based on the design of the Powerfist. A Lightning Talon consists of a powered gauntlet, fitted with three or four blades. A matter-disrupting energy field is projected around the blades, allowing them to cut through armor and flesh with minimal effort. Lightning Talons are almost invariably worn as a pair, and are mainly used by Imperial Assault Marines or Imperial Marine Veterans.
===== Shredder Gauntlet =====
A Shredder Gauntlet is a specialized type of force weapon, based on the design of the Lightning Talon. A Shredder Gauntlet consists of the powered gauntlet, fitted with four or five blades along the fingers. A matter-disrupting energy field is projected around each of the blades, allowing them to cut through armor and flesh with minimal effort. Shredder Gauntlets are almost invariably worn as a pair, and are mainly used by Imperial Assault Marines or Imperial Marine Veterans.
==== Powerfist ====
Essentially an oversized, armored gauntlet, the Powerfist not only generates an energy field around it that disrupts any matter it touches, but also enhances the user's strength. The Powerfist provides its bearer with the capability to completely pulverize enemy infantry and even threaten enemy armored vehicles and monstrously-sized creatures. It is thus a popular weapon choice within the Stellar Imperium when it is made available. However, the weapon is cumbersome to use and slows the user down, so that the opponent will usually have the chance to strike out at the user before the Powerfist can land its lethal first blow.
==== Force Maul ====
A Force Maul is a club surrounded in a gravitic energy field often used by ranking members of the Imperial Judicars. They may include additional features such as power setting controls to vary the force of the impact. Unlike a Shock Maul, which only releases a charge on impact, a Force Maul has a constant energy field like any other Force Weapon.
==== Force Sword ====
Force Swords are the most ubiquitous form of Imperial Force Weapon and are in use by all of the armed forces of the Stellar Imperium. They are routinely wielded by ranking Imperial Marines, officers in the Emperors Guard, and members of the Inquisition. Some Imperial armories hold ancient swords of such high quality they strike as potently as a Force Sword though they possess no energy field emitters. Another version of the Force Sword is a two-handed type called a "Relic Blade." It increases the damage wrought by its wielder, but no additional weapons can be used alongside it.
==== Crozius Arcana ====
The Crozius Arcanum is a mace or staff that is used as both a melee weapon and the primary badge of office of Imperial Marine Chaplains. This duality of purpose presents no philosophical conundrum for the Chaplains, as for them battle itself represents the most valuable form of worship of the God Emperor of Mankind. It is normally shaped in the form of either a staff or a mace topped by the double-headed Aquila of the Imperium or a winged skull that represents the Emperor's will.
==== Thunder Hammer ====
A Thunder Hammer is a large warhammer that incorporates a power field generator, which instead of being active constantly (as is the case with other Power Weapons), builds up an immense charge which is then released in an instant upon impact with the target. The name comes from the thunderclap-like noise the weapon makes when striking. The force released is enough to knock over the wielder himself unless he is heavily armored. It is commonly used by Assault Dreadnoughts in conjunction with a Storm Shield in the other hand. A Thunder Hammer is every bit as lethal as a Powerfist, but also has the ability to stun and disorient monstrous creatures and the crews of vehicles that are not destroyed outright. Originally Thunder Hammers were only able to be mounted onto Imperial Marine Dreadnought armor.
=== Chain Weaponry ===
A Chain Weapon is a weapon that has motorized biting teeth that saw and slash through a prospective victim, in a similar fashion to a chainsaw. The teeth themselves are fashioned to be incredibly sharp, in most cases carrying a monomolecular edge. Some chain weapons are capable of slicing through bulkheads and thick armor. Many variations of the Chain Weapon are used all over the galaxy. Chain weapons require regular maintenance, and can become jammed if foreign matter is drawn into their complex working mechanisms. These weapons often include a clutch that can reverse the weapons teeth rotation to expel the offending matter in such an instance.
==== Chain Sword ====
The most common form of chain weapon is the Chainsword, frequently carried by assault troops and low-ranking officers of the Emperors Guard and Imperial Marines. Another common variant is the Chainaxe, which are usually carried by melee specialist Imperial Marines. The Orrukai employ various Chain Weapons as well, usually axes or wide-bladed swords.
==== Other Chain Weapons ====
Chain Weapons are not just limited to sword and ax forms. Existing in the galaxy are such weapons as Chain Glaives, Scythes, and a multitude of other melee weapons that have had their original blades removed and replaced by a powered chain blade.
=== Veneratum Weaponry ===
Venerus Force Weapons are sanctified Force Weapons, usually taking the form of a sword, halberd or spear. Sometimes a rare Veneratum Hammer or Venerus Mace will appear, though Venerus Weapons can take the form of any close combat melee weapon. Each Venerus Weapon is consecrated and anointed with sacred oils, psychically-charged, and inscribed with religious scripts that are anathema to Daemons. 
Like all Force Weapons available to the psychic warriors of the Stellar Imperium, the power of the weapon itself directly corresponds to the psychic talent of the wielder. As the Hierophants of Fire are some of the greatest Psiots in the galaxy, Venerus Force Weapons prove to be truly devastating in their hands. Because of this quality, the entire Legion is able to wield these weapons, and every member is a hero in his own right. However, due to the inexperience of younger recruits, the Venerus Force Weapons delegated to lower ranks will be weaker in terms of strength than their higher-ranked counterparts.
This makes a weapon effectively "evolve" as the bearer progresses through the ranks, his or her psychic powers intensify and they slowly master the weapon. In the hands of a Grand Master, these Force Weapons are some of the strongest in the galaxy.
== Ranged Weapons ==
=== Flame Weaponry ===
Flamers are flamethrower-type weapons that project an ignited stream of liquid promethium fuel over a wide area, igniting many enemies in a single gout of flame.
==== Flamer ====
Flamers are short-ranged special weapons carried by various soldiers. Many units, both Imperial or otherwise, are capable of carrying flamers. While Imperial Marines and Emperors Guardsmen can be armed with them. Unlike other weapons which have analogs in other armies, Flamers generally have no specialized versions in the non-Imperial armies that they are found in; they are simply referred to as Flamers. Both the Álfarii and Nidiri have specific units that can be armed with Flamers.
==== Hand Flamer ====
Hand Flamers are smaller, one-handed versions of the normal Flamer. They are often used by assault troops, since the weapon's shorter range is less noticeable. The Legio Seraphim can be armed with twin Hand Flamers.
==== Heavy Flamer ====
Heavy Flamers are larger, more powerful versions of the standard Flamer, projecting hotter and denser flames. As a result, Heavy Flamers are stronger and having better armor-piercing capabilities than standard Flamers. Heavy Flamers are often used by specialists in dense conditions, such as jungle warfare, urban warfare and close-quarter combat. As an infantry weapon, they are not as common as flamers and fewer units are capable of using them. 
Some of the earliest units to have the weapons were Imperial Marine Dreadnoughts, who made use of them in cramped ship-boarding actions in times of navel combat.
===== Incinerator =====
The Incinerator is a specialized Heavy Flamer variant seen primarily in use amongst the orders of the I.S.S. Incinerators are different from Heavy Flamers in that their Promethium fuel is consecrated for use against daemons and other similar Void entities.
==== Inferno Cannon ====
The Inferno Cannon is a flame weapon used primarily by the Emperors Guard. It is the primary armament of the Hellhound flame tank. The Inferno Cannon shoots a long, arcing gout of flame at range that forms a deadly pool of liquid flame affecting the area that it impacts, rather than spewing fire directly at the targets from the cannon. 
=== Laser Weapons ===
Laser weaponry or Las weapons and also known as Ray or Beam Weapons are laser-based ranged weapons used by many of the Imperiums military forces. These weapons are relatively easy to produce and maintain(By Imperial Standards). They require no solid ammunition, have few moving parts, and use power cells which can be recharged or quickly swapped with another fully-charged power cell. This makes them ideal for distribution among large numbers of men, such as the Emperors Guard. While the accuracy of a laser weapon is generally depicted as not being distorted by high winds like projectile weapons, it can be diffused by heavy particles in the air such as smoke and thus a laser can dissipate over long distances. 
==== Defensive Laser ====
The Defensive Laser is an immense laser weapon with incredible power and range, normally used only in fixed emplacements or on very large vehicles. The Imperator-class Emperor Titan mounts one on its upper carapace as an anti-aircraft cannon. 
==== Hells-Carbine ====
A Hells-Carbine is an upgraded Las-Carbine which fires a substantially more focused beam, using a series of high quality focusing lenses and a completely revamped power feed to give it a far greater armor-penetration factor compared to the typical Las-Carbine. However, the higher power consumption requires superior quality power cells or a backpack power supply to keep maintained, and the complex gun system requires both more time and resources to manufacture and repair -- as well as more training to get the most out of. This makes it more costly to field, so it is not generally issued to the average Emperors Guardsman. However, Hells Guardsmen(of which the weapon is named) and Grenadiers are often always equipped with a Hells-Carbine as standard to take full advantage of their superior training and weapons expertise. 
Hells-Carbines are often equipped with underslung grenade launchers. The Hells-Carbine is slowly being replaced in the Emperors Guard by the more advanced Hotshot Las-Carbine whose beams are capable of piercing even Power armor, which the Hells-Carbine is not. The standard pattern of Hells-Carbine currently used in the Emperors Guard is the Hells-Carbine Mark II pattern, which is gyro-stabilized and requires the backpack-mounted power source to be effective.
==== Hellpistol ====
The Hellpistol corresponds to the Las-Pistol in the same way the Hells-Carbine corresponds to the Las-Carbine -- yet the Hellpistol is far deadlier while being only slightly heavier than the Las-Pistol. However, the Hellpistol is correspondingly more expensive in terms of materials and manpower to manufacture and is usually only used by Emperors Guard Grenadier or Hells-Guard Sergeants, although higher-ranking Emperors Guard officers also have access to this weapon by virtue of their higher grade. Some Inquisitors will also use this weapon as a matter of preference.
==== Beam-Cannon ====
The Beam-Cannon is one of the anti-tank weapons available to Imperial forces. Its high strength and armor-piercing ability make it a formidable weapon. Beam-Cannons are basically a significantly scaled-up implementation of the "las" technology also used in Las-Carbines. Imperial Marines make use of Beam-Cannons as a shoulder-fired weapon, and are also fielded in Emperors Guard heavy weapon squads as a tripod-mounted crew-served weapon. Beam-Cannons are also mounted on Land Raiders, Predators, Juggernauts, and many other Imperial vehicles.
==== Las-Carbine ====
The Las-Carbine is the standard-issue weapon for all Emperors Guardsmen. It fires a focused laser beam, powerful enough to remove an unarmored human limb in a single blast, but not nearly as effective against heavy armor or the durable hides of some breeds of the more monstrous aliens. Most Imperials refer to the Las-Carbine as a "flash-pointer" due its low strength and lack of armor penetration. However, the Emperors Guardsmen, the primary users of the Las-Carbine, are numerous, and can be fielded in very large numbers. And because of this relative lack of power in small numbers, the Las-Carbine is most effective when delivering massed, focused fire from multiple units, and less effective against tougher enemies when used singly.
Las Weaponry are primarily powered by small rechargeable power packs. Power output can be adjusted to extend the already long life span of the charge. The power packs are extremely reliable and can be recharged by exposing them to direct sunlight or by heating them (putting them directly into flames works, but this reduces the lifetime of a power pack and increases the chance of misfires). The reliability and ease of resupply of the Las-Carbine make it an ideal weapon for the extended campaigns often undertaken by the endless armies of the Emperors Guard.
Certain types of Las-Carbines have specific uses, such as the "Las-Skimmer" which has a longer barrel and greatly improved power and range. These are generally used in a sniper role, and use overpowered liquid metal batteries known as "hotshots," which have only one power setting. The power and heat from the improved beam quickly wears out the barrels, which are replaceable and good for about twenty shots each. The Las-Rifle is a rifle form of the Las-Carbine, designed for special operations and units, usually employed by drop troopers or scout units of the Emperors Guard. It is light and compact, allowing it to be easily stowed so it does not interfere with the carrier's mobility. A rarely seen form of the Las-Carbine is the Assault Laser, wielded almost entirely by private concerns due to its high maintenance requirements -- the focusing rings must be replaced every thousand shots or so, and this delicate process can only be done by a trained Jovian Adepts. Assault Lasers are known for their immense rate of fire and higher armor-piercing ability compared to the standard Las-Carbine.
==== Las-Pistol ====
The Las-Pistol is the pistol form of the Las-Carbine, and operates in a similar way. It is suitable for quick use, but lacks firepower or range and is often used in conjunction with a close combat weapon. Many Las-Pistols have power packs mounted in front of the pistol's grip rather than within the grip itself, so that heat from the power cell can be quickly dissipated and the power cell quickly changed when depleted. This also allows the Las-Pistol to use the same power pack as the Las-Carbine, increasing the pistol's logistical flexibility. While it is more likely to be hit when exposed and cause a potentially debilitating explosion, the likeliness of this occurring is outweighed by the benefits.
Las-Pistols are carried primarily by Emperors Guard officers and advisers, including Commissars, Techpriest Engineers and Sanctioned Psiots. Some dedicated close combat units of the Emperors Guard, such as Rough Riders and special weapon squads can also be armed with Las-Pistols.
==== Multilaser ====
The Multilaser is a multiple-barreled laser weapon that fires a torrent of laser beams. It is described as a lower-powered, multiple-shot version of the vehicle-destroying Beam-Cannon. Multilasers have always been used primarily by the armies of the Emperors Guard. They are often mounted on light vehicles that serve either as transports or scouts, for infantry work. Emperors Guard Chimeras and Sentinels are among the few vehicles that are known to mount Multilasers.
==== Onslaught-Cannon ====
The Onslaught-Cannon is based on an ancient and therefore fragmentary Standard Design Template (SDT) record of an upgraded Beam-Cannon, with greater range and a much broader beam able to affect multiple targets. The distinctive long barrel and peculiar focusing optics of the Onslaught-Cannon make it sensitive to motion and quite prone to misfires, though the extra damage potential is considered to offset these disadvantages.
The ancient Rapier armored Carrier is only one of the Imperium's many such reclaimed technological relics; a bulky, armored track unit which mounts a powerful Atomic Reactor. It is armed with a potent quad Beam-Cannon commonly known as the Onslaught-Cannon. This weapon has become synonymous with the Rapier armored Carrier itself.
==== Turbolaser Destructor Cannon ====
The Turbolaser Destructor Cannon is a large and potent Laser weapon, equivalent to a very large Beam-Cannon. In a sense, the Turbolaser is to the Beam-Cannon what the Battle Cannon is to the Autocannon -- a larger, more devastating weapon based on the same concept. 
==== Promethian-Cannon ====
The Promethian-Cannon is the most powerful ground vehicle-mounted laser weapon, and is used exclusively by Titans and the Shadowsword super-heavy tanks. Its massive gun is a Titan-killer, capable of severing a Titan's arm or leg. It is primarily meant to target huge objects and obliterate them with a single shot. Such targets usually include other Titan-sized opponents and minor spire cities. For this reason, Shadowswords are only made on Forge Worlds which raise Titan Legions. They are deployed to support Emperors Guard regiments which are likely to be faced with enemy Titans. The Promethian-Cannon's huge laser is powered by capacitors which draw power directly from the tank's engine. The generator and capacitors are constantly monitored by an engineer or a member of the Jovian Mechanicus. Their job is to control the power flow from the engine through the generator as well as keeping the tank running.
=== Mollifier Weapons ===
The principle upon which Mollific Weapons work varies in their depictions. It is said to work by producing a small-scale fusion reaction using a P3(prometheum, pyrum, and petrol) fuel mix. This is projected as a blast of incredible heat. Mollifier weapons have a short range but are very powerful and are favored for use against armored targets; in the Emperors Guard they are typically fielded specifically for close range anti-tank combat, particularly in urban environments. As their name suggests, Mollific Weapons are capable of rapidly softening a target by utterly incinerating armor which would normally be immune to most squad-based weapons (obstacles, tank armor, powered armor, etc.) into a molten paste of burning slag. Mollific Weapons are useful squad support weapons in situations where "excessive firepower" is an oxymoron.
==== Mollite-Rifle ====
The Mollite-Rifle is a commonly found special weapon in the forces of the Imperium. Common Imperial slang for Mollite-Rifles includes cookers, macrowaves or vape guns. Mollite-Rifles are a common sight in Imperial Marine and Emperors Guard forces. Mollite-Rifles are employed in a support role in Emperors Guardsmen squads. The weapon is, however, bulky and cumbersome over broken ground or swamp terrain. The extreme heat flare produced by the muzzle blast also limits the Mollite-Rifle's use indoors or in close quarters. While the technology may not be identical, analogues of this weapon in other factions include the Álfarii Fusion Rifle and the Nidiri Forge Blaster.
==== Multi-Mollifier ====
The Multi-Mollifier (also known as a Thermal Cannon, or krak-cookers) is a larger, longer-ranged version of the Mollite-Rifle. Unlike their smaller cousins, Multi-Mollifiers are not commonly carried by infantry. The only foot infantry known to carry them include Imperial Marine Devastators, and Servitors. It is more often found mounted on vehicles, such as Imperial Marine Land Speeders and Jovian Mechanicus Immolators.
==== Hells-Maw Pistol ====
The Hells-Maw Pistol is a pistol version of a Mollific Weapon but is very rare. They are only available to the Ordo Hereticus and the militant arms of the Emperors Ecclesiarchy.
==== Other Mollific Weapons ====
For the Mollific-Bomb see Grenades section.
=== Plasmor Weapons ===
Plasmor Weapons are a class of high-strength, armor piercing energy weapons. They employ a magnetic field to accelerate a stream or pulse of superheated ionized gas towards a target. In smaller weapons, this gas would be generated when substances from two canisters mix together. The Jovian Mechanicus revere Plasmor weapons as having highly temperamental V.I Minds, though the technology to manufacture them became rather obscure for the modern Imperium due to the Dark Ages of Humanity of the Long Dark. In more recent times, these weapons have become better understood. Due to this, Plasmor Weapons find regular use throughout the armies of the Imperium. Imperial Plasmor Weapons are comparatively stronger than other races' analogues, but this advantage is offset by poor cooling and venting mechanisms: Plasmor Weapons using Imperial technology can build up dangerous levels of heat, which must be vented out regularly, or the weapon can seriously wound or kill the operator upon firing. But as the technology has become better understood, personal Imperial Plasmor Weapons(known as Mark II) have had the added safety of cooling mechanisms and do not suffer from these old drawbacks. Instead, the user simply has to wait for the weapon to recharge, cool down and stabilize between shots. Older Plasmor Weapons(known as Mark I) still had the potential to overheat dangerously. The Plasmor is described as being a "miniature sun" when fired, but often appears as a cyan, crimson or light green within its shelled casing.
==== Plasmor Annihilator ====
The Plasmor Annihilator is the largest Plasmor weapon that the Stellar Imperium fields on planetary surfaces, as it is essentially a dismounted Battleship weapon. It is often mounted on the Imperator-class Emperor Titan and delivers sufficient firepower to destroy multiple enemy targets in a single shot. It can achieve this legendary destructive potential because it is fed directly from the massive Plasmor Reactor that powers the entire Titan, enabling the Princeps to divert power from other systems (usually motive power) in order to "overcharge" the weapon, though this decreases the life cycle of the components involved considerably.
==== Plasmor Destructor (Titan) ====
The Titan-sized Plasmor Destructor is the second most powerful Plasmor weapon available to the Titan Legions. It is only mountable on the Warlord Titan due to its size and massive power requirements. When this weapon is fired the titan is completely drained of all its energy, meaning that it cannot move or fire at all, and even when its generators are back on-line, the legs are still immobilized. This is usually only used when the fighting is fierce, or when the titan has a large backup of ground troops, armor, or other Titans to defend it during its down time.
==== Plasmor Cannon (Titan) ====
The Titan Plasmor Cannon is an upgraded version of the Plasmor Blastgun, only mountable on the Warlord-class of Battle Titan as only its immense Plasmor Reactors are large enough to power it. The power requirements for this weapon are such that the Titan cannot fire any other weapons, but its movement is not restricted, giving the Princeps a chance to fire then seek cover.
==== Plasmor Cannon ====
The Plasmor Cannon is a heavy weapon that relies on Plasmor technology to deliver lethal energy blasts, but also has another setting to allow direct shots against tanks and other large targets. It is much longer-ranged than the Plaz-Rifle, and has a wider blast radius. This weapon employs a shell that energises into boiling Plasmor as it is fired. As with other Plasmor weapons, a massive energy drain is involved. Power reserves are enormous, but even so a Plasmor cannon cannot be fired in rapid succession.
==== Plaz-Rifle ====
The Plaz-Rifle is a rifle-sized Plasmor Weapon common to many of the armed forces of the Imperium. The Plaz-Rifle fire an energy shell of bright glowing Plasmor which releases tremendous heat and energy when it strikes its intended target, destroying it in an almighty explosion. This results in the dual effects of searing heat and explosive shock as its substance is instantly energised into boiling Plasmor. Though highly effective, the Plaz-Rifle loses effectiveness over long range, and requires a massive amount of energy to power it.
==== Plaz-Pistol ====
The Plaz-Pistol is a shorter-ranged, single-handed pistol version of the Plaz-Rifle. This weapon makes use of a micro-fusion nuclear reaction to superheat a cartridge of gas into the state of matter known as Plasmor and then release it in a concentrated blast of weapons fire using an electromagnetic bubble. The Plaz-Pistol is most commonly carried by the officers of both the Imperial Marines and the Emperors Guard. Aside from individual Imperial officers, some specialised assault troops such as Assault Marines are also sometimes armed with Plaz-Pistols. 
=== Graviton Weapons ===
==== Grav-pistol ====
The Grav-pistol is the hand-held pistol version of a Grav-weapon employed by the Imperial Marines. Its effect is not quite as powerful as that of its larger counterparts, but it can still do enormous damage to targets possessed of a large mass.
==== Grav-gun ====
The Grav-gun is the two-handed rifle variant of the Grav-weapon employed by the Imperial Marines. The Grav-gun fires a stream of graviton particles which affects the local gravitational field of a target area, making the targeted object either far heavier or lighter depending on the weapon's setting. The Grav-gun also creates a bass rumble as the waves affect the local air pressure, causing the air to vibrate. The effect is generally non-lethal and can be used to incapacitate foes who need to be captured alive, but the power of the Grav-gun's highest settings is sufficient to rupture organs and crack bones even inside armor. Some living targets will be affected more variably; a very large creature may be killed under excessive weight, but most targets will either be slowed or completely immobilized. A Grav-gun is very useful when fighting in a voidship or a null-gravity environment, as well as during demolition and siege work. This is because it is particularly effective against massive objects such as bunkers or fortifications, where the building's great mass can be used against it, causing it to collapse.
==== Grav-cannon ====
The Grav-cannon is a large, vehicle-mounted type of Grav-weapon employed by the Imperial Marines. The power of the Graviton Cannon is sufficient to rupture organs and crack bones even inside armor, but its primary use is to counter enemy machinery without the risk of secondary explosions.
=== Ballistic Weapons ===
==== Assault Cannon ====
The Assault Cannon is a six-barrelled, self-loading automatic ballistic weapon used by a few select vehicles and heavy infantry in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Effective against massed infantry and light vehicles, the weapon's large bulk more-or-less requires it to be mounted on stable platforms such as vehicles.
Compared to other Imperial heavy weapons, there are very few units that are capable of carrying assault cannons due to the structural requirements of their mass, bulk, ammunition consumption, and, more than a self-propelled bolt weapon, its heavy recoil relative to its power.
Two common Imperial Marine units that regularly carry Assault Cannons are Imperial Marine Dreadnoughts and Land Speeder Tornados. The Land Raider Crusader's main armaments include twin-linked Assault Cannons mounted on top of its hull. The Blood Angels' Baal Predator carries a twin-linked Assault Cannon in its turret. Certain Emperors Guard Sentinel variants were also armed with Assault Cannons. This was subsequently changed to reflect the reality that Assault Cannons are deployed almost exclusively by Imperial Marine forces.
Aside from vehicles, a few infantry types are capable of fielding Assault Cannons as well. A pattern of the Assault Cannon, longer and slimmer than its vehicle-mounted equivalents, is often fitted on one arm by Imperial Marine Dreadnoughts. The size and sheer strength of a Dreadnought-armored Imperial Marine allows him to freely move and advance even while firing the Assault Cannon without pause.
Although the Assault Cannon lacks the range of other rapid-fire guns such as the Heavy Bolter and the Autocannon, its enormous rate of fire enables it to literally shred its way through most targets, punishing them with thousands of rounds per minute. Assault Cannons are extremely potent at medium to close range, against armored infantry and moderately armored vehicles, while Heavy Bolters are less effective against heavily armored targets and Autocannons have a slower firing rate. The Assault Cannon epitomises the deadliness of elite Dreadnought Squads who teleport behind the enemy's front line and open up with fully-automatic fire, spreading carnage and terror. In earlier patterns of the Assault Cannon the weapon was notoriously fickle and prone to jamming, sometimes stopping with enough force to detonate the weapon and kill the user. Newer patterns of the weapon no longer suffer from this problem, which could be due to research by the Jovian Mechanicus that produced refinements in the weapon's design, similar to the transition from the Combi-bolter to the Storm Bolter. Assault Cannons are mounted on the Destroyer variant of Imperial Marauder bomber aircraft.
==== Autocannon ====
While Autopistols and Autoguns are similar to their laser-based variants, Autocannons are unlike their Beam-Cannon counterparts. Autocannons are rapid-fire heavy weapons designed to eliminate heavily armored infantry or light vehicles, and are often used by Emperors Guard heavy weapons teams in battle, due to their versatility and reliability. Autocannons have better penetration than Heavy Bolters and greater range than Assault Cannons, but have a slower rate of fire. These weapons used to fire an explosive penetrating bolt, much like the Bolter, but as the Imperium progressed, this technology was added to the list of that which was lost. They now fire solid-slug rounds ranging from 20 millimetres and up.
==== Autogun ====
Autoguns are automatic ballistic weapons which fire solid-slug ammunition propelled by one of various methods, including the combustion of propellant powder or the use of compressed gases. The ammunition used most commonly by these weapons are cased or caseless ammunition cartridges. An Autogun, refers to a wide range of Imperial weapons that project ballistic solid slug ammunition. A number of variants exist, encompassing mainly automatic rifles and assault weapons. Autoguns are still popular among certain regiments of the Emperors Guard for reasons such as, while having almost similar wounding capability, the bullets are capable of causing bleeding- useful against certain species of targets- whereas a Las-Carbine beam tends to cauterise wounds. Also the psychological effect of the loud muzzle blast noise and visual effects are more useful against Orks. However it lacks the same degree of power, and introduces the logistical complications of requiring the manufacture and delivery of specific ammunition to the frontline, unlike the Las-Carbine. The Autogun was the standard-issue weapon for the Emperors Guard until the 32nd Millennium, when laser technology had progressed enough to be produced on a large scale.
==== Autopistol ====
An Autopistol is a pistol weapon that operates on the same principles as the autogun. It shoots the same caseless projectiles used by autoguns in shorter bursts. The Inquisitor Thaddeus uses a heavily modified model, which he uses in conjunction with two unusual ammunition types:
* Excecutioner Rounds, which are guided, rare and lethal, and are normally used in a Shotgun
* An unnamed round which is guided and repeatedly hits the target until it runs out of propellant, at which point it explodes inside the target. It is described as the the pinnacle of current Jovian Mechanicus ballistic weapons technology.
=== Cannons ===
==== Heavy Arc-Cannon ====
==== Reaper Autocannon ====
The Reaper Autocannon is an archaic double-barrelled Autocannon with a shorter range. Reaper Autocannons were commonly used by Imperial Marine Dreadnoughts prior to the Horus Heresy. They were eventually replaced by the Assault Cannon in loyalist Angelus Chapters, and are now only exclusively used by Chaos Dreadnoughts, or mounted on Chaos Defilers. The heavy volume of fire this brutal weapon is able to lay down to great effect enables warbands to have the ability to take out heavy troops and light armor at range.
=== Pistols ===
Ark-Pistol
==== Bolt Pistol ====
A Bolt Pistol is a smaller version of the Bolter in standard use by the Imperial Marines. The current pattern in use is the Angelus Mark III. The weapons are also used by many other Imperial forces as well as the Chaos Imperial Marines. It is commonly used in conjunction with a close combat weapon by Imperial Marine officers, Veterans and Assault Squads to make them into melee combat specialists.
As a bolt weapon, the Bolt Pistol is favored over the Las-Pistol due to its improved killing ability, although it is less reliable and generally holds fewer shots in its magazine than a Las-Pistol. A Bolt Pistol magazine carries only 6 to 10 rounds of standard bolt rounds, each weighing about 0.08kg and with a diameter of .75 calibre (19.05mm). The pistol is able to fire either a single shot or a short three-round burst.
While standard Boltguns are rarely used by the Emperors Guard, Bolt Pistols are quite popular amongst the Commissariat, and are frequently used by junior officers and non-commissioned officers in place of their regular-issue Las-Pistol sidearms. It is likely that Bolt Pistols used by the Emperors Guard are smaller than the Angelus Mark III, based upon the observations of the Inquisitor Thaddeus.
==== Exitus Pistol ====
Used only by the Vindicare Assassins, the Exitus Pistol is the Assassin's back-up weapon when retreating after assassinating their target with their Exitus Rifle. It is a high strength, solid slug weapon.
==== Stub Pistol ====
Stub Pistols (also Stub Guns or Slug Guns) are primitive kinetic weapons, resembling 20th Century revolvers or automatic pistols. They are common on industrial worlds but rarely used by Imperial military forces. In the Calixis Sector, the Stub Revolver, Hand Cannon and the Stub Automatic are the Stub Pistol-type weapons most commonly on offer.
Plaz-Pistol
Volketic Light Pistol
Volketic Heavy Pistol
==== Hand Artillery ====
Mollific Pistol
=== Rifles ===
Arc-Rifle
==== Bolter ====
The Bolter, also called a Boltgun, and its variants are some of the most powerful hand-held weaponry in use by the military forces of the Imperium of Man. It is a powerful assault rifle that fires explosive .75 calibre kinetic rounds colloquially referred to as bolts. The Bolter is a weapon synonymous with the Imperial Marines, and rightly so. However, although the Imperial Marines are its primary user, the Bolter finds itself in use in military organisations throughout the Imperium. The weapon is fearsome, with explosive rounds capable of ripping through or blowing apart a foe. The Chaos Imperial Marines of the Traitor Legions were issued their Legions' Bolters before the Horus Heresy, and therefore, use generally older variants than the patterns available to present-day Loyalist Imperial Marines.
The Bolter is a mid-range anti-personnel weapon that lies between the lighter Bolt Pistol and the more effective Heavy Bolter, which fires .998 calibre bolt rounds. The standard pattern Bolter can easily be wielded by a Imperial Marine, but smaller pattern Bolters must be used by the Battle-Sisters of the Adepta Sororitas and other mortals.
For both the Imperial Marines and the Sisters of Battle of the Orders Militant of the Adepta Sororitas, the Bolter is viewed as a weapon intended by the Emperor of Mankind to bring his wrath to the enemies of Mankind. Every Angelus carries a Bolter lovingly handcrafted by the Artificers of his Chapter's armory or of one of the Jovian Mechanicus Forge Worlds. At each point in its construction special rituals are observed by the Artificers or Tech-priests, and even an Angelus' daily maintenance of his weapon carries an air of religious devotion. The Bolters used by the Imperial Marines are known to be coded to Angelus genetic signatures so that they are only functional for members of the Imperial Marines.
Heavy Arc-Rifle
Spread-Shot Arc Rifle
==== Shotgun ====
Combat Shotguns are basic ballistic weapons that have been in widespread use for millennia compared to the higher technology laser weapons. Their standard ammunition is scatter shot, which disperses during flight into a hail of fragments. The shotgun is a durable, simple and reliable weapon, which has made it the mainstay of the Elysian Drop Troops, who prefer it over the Las-Carbine when entering hostile drop zones. The Arbitrators of the Adeptus Arbites also use the shotgun for crowd control in congested urban conditions and have developed special "Executioner" shells for them.
Shotguns are used throughout the Imperium and are popular with spire-world scum and local police. Among these groups a large variety of specialist ammunition is used, including manstopper slugs, modified bolt rounds and incendiary shells.
Imperial Navy starships carry shotguns for the crew to use during boarding actions or against uprisings by crewmen aboard the ship. The reduced penetration of spread shot reduces the probability of damaging critical equipment aboard a ship or even puncturing the vessel's hull.
Imperial Marine Scout Squads are also known to use shotguns during their missions. The Dark Angels and Blood Angels Imperial Marine Chapters equip their Scout Marines with special "Manstopper" rounds which have an extra propellant charge.
==== Heavy Stubber ====
A Heavy Stubber is a primitive weapon, similar in design and appearance to 20th century heavy machine guns, and is fairly common and reliable. Its high rate of fire makes up for its lack of strength and armor-piercing abilities. It is an ideal support weapon for low-tech worlds that cannot produce more technologically advanced weapons.
Heavy Stubbers are often pintle mounted and used as close Defense weapons on Imperial vehicles, when the rarer storm bolters are not available. The Heavy Stubber has relatively poor armor-penetration factor, as it simply fires solid slugs without a penetrating charge, but it has significantly better range than the Storm Bolter (which is originally designed as an assault armament), so it does continue to see some use even in well-equipped armies.
Chaos Cults often do not have great resources, and as such use easily manufactured and maintained weapons like Heavy Stubbers.
Mollific Rifle
Heavy-Mollific Rifle
Volketic Rifle
Tempest Rifle
=== Sniper Rifles ===
=== Sniper Weapons ===
==== Sniper Rifles ====
Usually a specially constructed or modified ballistic or laser weapon for use by sniper units, the term "Sniper Rifle" is used as a generic term that covers many variations on the theme of long-ranged precision infantry weapon, including various laser and other energy-based weapons. There are sniper rifles which use solid ballistic ammunition -- although, like other projectile-based weapons, they are restricted by the need to carry heavier ammunition. The advantage the slug-thrower has over its energy-based opponent is that fewer enemies will recognise the report of the rifle, as opposed to a Long-Las' ruby beam.
==== Exitus Rifle ====
Used only by the extremely skilled Assassins from the secretive Vindicare Temple of the Officio Assassinorum, the Exitus Rifle is an incredibly powerful sniper rifle, modified to fire special rounds designed specifically for the art of assassination from a distance. Among the different types of specialist rounds that can be fired from an Exitus Rifle are the following
* Shield-Breaker - The precise construction of this ammunition type is unknown, but has the ability to circumvent force fields.
* Turbo-Penetrator - A much heavier propellant charge combined with a difficult to construct shaped charge on the tip of the shell, the Turbo Penetrator round is much more effective against large and armored targets, including armored vehicles.
* Hellfire - Uses the highly toxic Hellfire compound found in other Imperial weapons to inflict horrific injuries on the target.
==== Needler ====
The Needlegun and Needle Pistol (or Needler as this class of weapons is known in general) are silent and deadly weapons that uses both laser power and poisoned needles. The weapon fires a laser bolt like the Las-Carbine, which, a millisecond later, is followed by a needle. The bolt melts and cuts through armor, leaving the flesh (or other vulnerable parts) vulnerable to the needle, which knocks out or kills the target. It is a valuable weapon which needs specialised ammunition and care -- even more so than the sniper Las-Carbine -- and is therefore usually reserved for more elite troops or Imperial Assassins. The Needle Pistol is a small elegant version of the basic Needler weapon. It is ideal for secretive work such as assassination, "doping" and kidnapping missions due to its being silent and flashless.
Thero-Rifle
Auger-Rifle
Missile Launchers
==== Cyclone Missile Launcher ====
The Cyclone Missile Launcher is a Missile Launcher fitted on the shoulders of select Imperial Marine Dreadnoughts. It is connected to targeting systems on the Dreadnought's gauntlet allowing the missiles and the Dreadnought's other weapons to be fired simultaneously and with great accuracy, even on the move. In-game, the missiles themselves have the same rules as standard Imperium missiles, with either frag and krak warheads.
==== Exorcist Launcher ====
The Sisters of Battle have a specific Missile Launcher known as the Exorcist Launcher, which is mounted exclusively on the Exorcist tank. Unlike the similar Whirlwind Launcher, the Exorcist launcher fires many small missiles.
==== Havoc Launcher ====
The Forces of Chaos also mount Missile Launchers, dubbed the Havoc Launcher, on the hulls of their vehicles. Unlike its imperial equivalent, the Hunter Killer Missile, the Havoc Launcher fires salvos of Frag missiles.
==== Hunter-Killer Missile ====
Most Imperial vehicles can also mount a Hunter Killer Missile. In essence this is a single missile mounted on an external launch rail for use against an enemy vehicle, with a significant fuel supply and an advanced enough seeker Machine Spirit that grant it enough range to essentially be considered unlimited range in the scale of the tabletop game. The missile invariably has an armor-piercing Krak warhead.
==== Missile Launcher ====
Missile Launchers are used by Emperors Guard heavy weapon teams as a crew-fired weapon, typically with one Guardsman carrying the launcher, while the other carries the tripod stand and additional missiles, and assists with loading from the rear of the launch tube. Imperial Marines, meanwhile, can fire similarly-sized launchers from the shoulder and carry their own supply of missiles on a backpack-mounted rack. These launchers fire missiles that commonly have either one of two types of warhead: Frag and Krak. Frag projectiles (short for fragmentation) typically have a smaller explosive payload, encased in a perforated metal casing; they are designed to spray an area with shrapnel upon detonation, making them useful against entire groups of lightly armored infantry but with poor armor penetration against heavier targets. Krak projectiles are shaped charges, effectively lacking a blast radius, but they have high penetrating capabilities which make them useful for targeting either heavily armored infantry or moderately armored vehicles. Missile launchers can also fire less common missile versions of the various Imperial grenade types.
==== Typhoon Missile Launcher ====
The Typhoon Multiple Missile Launcher or Typhoon Missile Launcher is a weapon found on Imperial Marine Land Speeders. It fires a barrage of anti-personnel missiles appropriate for assaulting lightly-armored infantry.
=== Mortar ===
The Mortar has the ability to bombard enemy positions from behind cover thereby reducing the vulnerability of the Emperors Guardsmen operating it and increasing their survivability. Despite it's indirect fire abilities the mortar is not exceptionally strong against more heavily armored troops -- and certainly not against tanks. The rarer Griffon Siege Mortar has a much larger explosive force than its man-portable variants, and is an excellent bunker-buster when equipped with specialist siege shells. It is usually mounted on Chimera armored personnel carrier hulls to provide mobile support.
== Grenades ==
=== Grenade Launcher ===
The Grenade Launcher is a light, tubular launcher that is capable of firing any type of grenade. Generally, the most common types of grenades fired from these weapons are Frag and Krak Grenades. Grenades, naturally, are less powerful than missiles, but are easier to fire on the move. Grenade Launchers can also fire more exotic types of grenades, as listed below, though these are not Imperial standard issue, and need to be loaded for firing individually. Though there are numerous patterns, the principal shape of an Imperial Grenade Launcher is universal. Many of these launchers are designed to fire from a modified automatically-fed backpack. Grenade Launchers perform a similar role to mortars in Terra's twentieth century warfare in that they can fire indirectly ('fire-and-forget'), and do not need a visible target to fire at.
=== Grenade Types ===
Ark-Light Grenades
Napalm/ Thermite/ Flash/ Sonic/ Smoke Grenades
Anti-Mat Charges
=== Frag Grenade ===
A Frag Grenade is a small hand-held explosive device meant to hurl shrapnel in all directions. The Imperial Marines make use of two types of Frag Grenades, either disc shaped with a button in the center that can be pressed repeatedly in order to determine how long until it explodes, or a small egg shape. Both kinds of Imperial marine grenade designs are described as "micro-grenades" and are apparently smaller.
=== Krak Grenade ===
Krak Grenades are meant to be used against hardened targets such as armored vehicles or buildings, etc. They are designed to implode and produce a powerful pressure wave that can damage armored/hardened targets, rather than explode, as is usually the case with grenades.
=== Plasmor Grenades ===
Rare in the Stellar Imperium, but often seen by the forces of the Jovian Mechanicum and their forge worlds, the Plasmor Grenade explodes to produce a ball of Plasmor that covers an area. This area of effect will shrink as it uses the available energy in the surrounding area. The Alfar use a different kind of Plasmor Grenade, and the Dark Alfar also have a version of the Plasmor Grenade.
Demolition Charges
Seraphs Tear Grenades
=== Anti-Plant Grenade ===
An Anti-Plant Grenade is a small hand-held explosive containing a potent herbicide which kills all plant life within its blast radius, thereby removing an enemy's cover.
=== Blind Grenade ===
A more sophisticated type of smoke grenade, the Blind Grenade emits infra-red bafflers and broad-band spectrum electro-magnetic radiation in addition to smoke, to blind not only normal eyesight but also artificial sight aids. In-game, blind grenades were not initially present in the third edition of Warhammer 40,000.
=== Choke Grenade ===
The Choke Grenade explodes to fill its blast radius with a non-lethal gas which prevents anyone in the area from breathing properly, temporarily incapacitating them.
=== Hallucinogen Grenade ===
A Hallucinogen Grenade fills its area of effect with an invisible hallucinogenic gas, causing anyone breathing it in to experience visions which may have various effects on them, from nothing to running from the field screaming to believing an alien worm is crawling up their leg.
=== Haywire Grenade ===
Haywire Grenades (or Scramblers) are grenades that explode with a powerful electromagnetic pulse, destroying electronic systems and incapacitating vehicles. They are most commonly employed amongst the Álfarii and their Dark Álfarii counterparts. They are described as having crystal batteries.
=== Holy Orb of Antioch ===
First created by the Imperial Marine Artificer Antioch, a Holy Orb of Antioch is an individually-crafted, custom grenade empowered with the holy wrath of the Emperor and filled in equal measure with high explosives and sacred unguents that burn the faithless with their purity. Holy Orbs of Antioch are lethal weapons against the impure and wicked servants of the Ruinous Powers of Chaos and the daemons of the Void. These grenades are most commonly used by the Imperial Marines of the Black Templars Chapter.
=== Sanctifier Grenade ===
Sanctifier Grenades are used by Inquisitors of the Ordo Malleus to destroy daemons. These grenades have gothic runes of psychic potence inscribed on them. This grenade is essentially a powerful psychic explosive within a realspace container. When in proximity to a daemon or upon impact, it releases a conflagaration of psychic force, usually leaving nothing behind.
=== Mollific-Bomb ===
The Mollific-Bomb is a grenade incorporating Mollific technology, analogous in power and effect to a shaped anti-tank satchel charge.
=== Photon Flash Flare ===
The Photon Flash Flare explodes with a tremendously powerful flash of light, which will temporarily blind anyone without protection in its area, and may even affect those with protection, such as power-armored Imperial Marines.
=== Psyk-Out Grenade ===
The rarest grenade in the Imperium, the Psyk-Out Grenade is rumoured to be produced from a psychic by-product collected from the Emperor's Golden Throne. Used mostly by the Culexus Assassin temple, it is only useful against beings with psychic powers, but can kill such a being instantly.
=== Scare Grenade ===
TheScare Grenade produces a non-persistent gas, absorbed through the skin, with affects the nervous system of those affected, producing feelings of apprehension and deep anxiety.
=== Rad Grenade ===
The Rad Grenade is a small hand-held explosive device which irradiates the area encompassed in the blast area. The radiation level dissipates over time.
=== Smoke Grenade ===
The Smoke Grenade is a simple grenade that fills the area with thick smoke. Effective against normal eyesight, Smoke is useless against more sophisticated visual devices. The release of Warhammer 40,000 3rd edition removed the rules for most grenades in-game. They are also used in Missile and Grenade Launchers equipped on many Imperial vehicles.
=== Stasis Grenade ===
The Stasis Grenade is a very rare type of grenade used only by the forces of the Jovian Mechanicus and a few other select Imperial special forces. The stasis grenade "traps" any units in its area of effect, rendering them incapable of doing anything. This is because the grenade possesses a Stasis Field generator that essentially generates a time-loop, causing time to repeat itself within the grenade's area of effect.
=== Tanglefoot ===
Another rare grenade device, the Tanglefoot is produced in small numbers by the Jovian Mechanicus, and issued to elite Imperial forces. It contains a small but powerful magno-gravitic generator, which produces a field at, and just above, ground level, making it difficult to move through. It is said to be like "walking over a mass of tripwires", hence its name.
=== Toxin Grenade ===
The Toxin Grenade spews an amount of toxic chemicals and biological extracts over an area.
=== Virus Grenade ===
A Virus Grenade is a grenade designed for biological warfare. Though relatively safe, there is an inherent risk of mutation within the toxins, meaning it is rarely used except in cases of strategic destruction. Because of its random nature, this device can be as dangerous to its user as their opponent.
=== Vortex Grenade ===
The Vortex Grenade is an extremely advanced type of specialised grenade used by a few, select individuals in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The grenade opens a "hole" to the Void in realspace, destroying any troops in its area of effect. The Vortex Grenade is an unpredictable weapon that destroys anything that it comes into contact with, and the Void vortex it creates drifts randomly after activation slaying friend and foe alike. This grenade, as it might be imagined, is available only to the most high-ranking of Imperial servants, such as the senior officers of Imperial Marine Chapters and Inquisitors.
== Imperial Armada Weapon Systems: ==
=== Offensive Systems: ===
==== Weapon Batteries ====
Weapons batteries usually are the primary armament for most Imperial warships. Since each battery consists of numerous ranks of individual weapons, whole sections of the starship's hull can be covered by gun ports, launcher systems, turrets and weapon housings.
==== Macro Weaponry ====
Macro weaponry serves as the baseline starship weapons for Imperial warships. Ranks of large cannons or other weapons destroy their targets through powerful broadsides and volumes of fire.
==== Macrocannon ====
This Macrocannon variant fires a "shell" of highly-charged, ionized deuterium atoms. These particles cause minimal physical damage to their targets. Instead, they are intended to overload and shut down power transfer systems throughout the target vessels. These weapons are particularly useful for vessels that need to capture their prey intact.
==== Plasmor Battery ====
The Plasmor Battery is an ancient variant of Plasmor macro weaponry that refocuses the power of the Plasmor "blast," concentrating it into a compressed photonic packet that can be fired over extremely long distances.
==== Bombardment Cannon ====
These devastating weapons are designed to reduce planetary defenses to rubble and support military landings. Most often they use linear accelerators to launch massed salvoes of heavy magma bomb warheads, and though relatively short-ranged, these can also be used in naval combat. Often the rumor that orbiting vessels carry them is enough to force a quick surrender.
==== Lancers ====
Lancers are Imperial designed energy weapons of extreme power. A Lance battery is, in essence, a titanic Las-Carbine, usually mounted in a large and heavily armored turret. Thanks to the available energy from the ship's Arc-Reactor, a Lance can fire prolonged bursts instead of the short "shots" of man-portable las-weapons. Often, a bright shaft of coherent light connects the weapon to its target, hence the name "Lance". Lances use triple or even quad-arranged energy projectors to focus their energy into a concentrated beam, capable of burning through even the most heavily armored hulls and cutting smaller vessels in half. Lance batteries can be used to either apply sustained firepower to one precise location of a target, or, by slightly moving the projector, "rake" across its target. Multiple batteries often combine these two firing modes, in the hope of overwhelming their target's Void Shields and inflicting massive damage.
==== Torpedos ====
Torpedoes are massive self-propelled ship-to-ship missiles. While expensive to maintain, these weapons possess considerable destructive potential, and many captains use an enemy's tendency to avoid torpedoes to dominate a battle, forcing enemies to move in particular directions.
The most common forms of torpedo are over 60 meters long(on Cruisers), 200 meters long(on Grand Cruisers) and 300 meters long(on Battleships) and contain both a powerful warhead and a short-lived arc-reactor similar to, but less stable than those used by starships and Titans. Each torpedo is built to accelerate quickly from its launching tube into the void, hurtling in a straight line towards the enemy.
==== Plasmor Warheads ====
These explosives are the standard armament for Imperial torpedoes. They are designed to blast through a starship's armored hull, using their high speed to punch deep into the target vessel. The Plasmor-Reactor that powers a torpedo's drive forces it deep into the bowels of the ship and then overloads, contributing to the fury of the warhead's detonation. This reduces complexity, making their manufacture simple. Thus, these torpedoes are often a staple of Imperial Navy warships.
==== Mollific Warheads ====
These weapons are even more feared by starship captains than standard torpedoes. Mercifully rare and extremely brutal, Mollific Warheads detonate a precisely-organized series of Mollific charges upon impact with a target, burning through hull plating and consuming sections of the vessel's interior in a roiling conflagration.
==== Virus Warheads ====
In cases when a vessel must be captured intact, but the target's crew are considered expendable, Virus Warheads are seen as an ideal solution. Pirates more interested in inert cargo, salvage, and the possibility of expanding their fleet lust after these rare and unstable armaments.
==== Vortex Warheads ====
Only a few Forge Worlds still maintain the technological craftsmanship to manufacture these rare weapons. The Vortex Warhead is not a crude explosive charge, but an arcane device that tears open a rent in the very fabric of reality, consigning vast chunks of its target to the Void. The swirling energy within this tear in the fabric of reality immediately draws all matter in its blast radius through it, leaving gaping wounds in the target vessel. When attacked by these torpedoes, word of these horrifying weapons spreads like wildfire through target crews.
==== Boarding Warheads ====
More manned spacecraft than torpedo, these torpedoes fulfill a comparable role to that of assault boats. However, boarding torpedoes are less maneuverable and less armored than assault sleds. To offset these flaws, they are also much smaller targets. The crews of a boarding torpedo are able to make minor adjustments to the torpedo's flight path.
==== Nova Cannon ====
Nova Cannons are a classification of exceptionally powerful weaponry that can only be mounted upon capital ships. These extremely powerful weapons can easily wreak vast destruction upon enemy vessels at great range, but are inaccurate and require a stable vessel to fire effectively.
Mounted upon the heavily armored prows of Imperial Navy Cruisers and Battleships, Nova Cannons have few equals in terms of their range or destructive power. While variations exist, a typical Nova Cannon consists of an array of potent gravimetric impellers designed to accelerate a projectile to a fraction of the speed of light. Due to the lethal nature of their warheads, Nova Cannon shells are not armed for a fraction of a second after firing, allowing them to travel many tens of thousands of kilometers through the void before they become truly deadly.