Black Hand

The Black Hand is a Laser weapon of Small caliber. Unique among the "Laser" class, the Black Hand is a radiation weapon capable of firing through solid objects and inflicting damage over time.
== Acquisitions Entry ==
The Black Hand is a gamma emitter used almost exclusively by Spacers; fielding the weapon alone is sufficient for war crimes charges, but the few militaries with means to pursue action against the Spacers are also the ones who employ them. Against an unshielded target, single ignitions can inflict 3rd degree burns and a guarantee of cancer at 100 yards, and within 50 you begin to see 4th degree burns and spontaneous contracture. Exposure at 25 yards is a death sentence even when protected behind several inches of armor plating; liquefaction of the dermis and internal organs is common, and even if a target somehow survives exposure at that range they are permanently incapacitated.Given the efficacy of hardshields against gamma emitters, I'm convinced the widespread deployment of this weapon by Spacers serves a more psychological than directly combat related role. The sound of its hissing crackle is enough to panic even seasoned soldiers, and from what I've seen of Spacers in combat, particularly amongst their light mech spears, I suspect this weapon is also used as form of counting coup.Regardless, I have seen the aftermath of its use firsthand. It is a cruel and terrible weapon.-Efi
== Notes & Strategy ==
An outlandish, challenging weapon, for the patiently inventive Brigador.
* The Black Hand does corrosive damage when applied to vehicles. It shines when able to work on the naked hull of an unaware foe.
* A deadly choice of weapon against Corvids, since many of them are shieldless; Spacers present a challenge as they field more heavily-shielded assets, with Loyalists standing in the middle.
* If the target is alert, breaching the shield is necessary for the Black Hand to work. It does harm Shields, but the rate of damage is negligible.
** Opening an attack with an EMP grenade may prove fruitful; targets will be disabled through cover by the EMP if in the blast radius.
** The Pinch missile is another excellent choice, if your vehicle can field it.
** The Lockdown is another shield-tearing option, albeit lacking an area of effect.
* Upon hit, the (unshielded) target's hull will start deteriorating; fatal for light vehicles. In any case, damage is dealt over time, making the weapon more useful as a hit-and-run weapon as since consecutive sprayings won't stack damage.
* The shot - a long, dark spray - goes through cover. A well placed shot can irradiate half a dozen unaware targets on the other side of a concrete wall, allowing the Brigador to move to another sector while they decay, returning later. Note that units become alert upon hit.
* Needless to say, any personnel caught in the spray will be dead in one second or less.
== Achievements ==
Category:Weapons
Category:Small Weapons
Category:Laser Weapons