Microwave Lasers (Blaster Skill)
Microwave weapons are essentially a different kind of laser, one with a lower frequency. The energy drain is offset by the extra damage you'll do to your opponent. You see, where a laser will just burn tissue, a microwave laser will excite the molecules and cook your enemy (there's nothing quite like the smell of blown-up bad guy). And you can use your laser to wipe out data on computer disks and trash unshielded electronic gear, if that's what you're into.
Of course, everything isn't all booze and Twi'lek dance girls when you're playing with microwaves. For one thing, with the exceptions of the stuff I mentioned above, it's pretty much useless against buildings, furniture, walls, and the like. In addition, metal makes a great shield against the waves, and how many guys do you know walking around in wooden armor these days?
[Subtract -1D from the damage if the weapon is fired at a non-organic target other than unshielded electronic equipment. Add +1D to the armor value of metal armor when attacked with microwaves.]
Also, keep in mind that if a microwave burst misses its target and bounces off a metal surface, it might do nasty things to you. These drawbacks have limited the popularity of microwave weapons outside of the Core Worlds, where few slags are walking around in full armor. Corp cops are particularly fond of the ability of the weapons to blow a vehicle's electrical systems. Microwave weapons are recoilless and can use either energy cells or power .packs.
Weapon Type | Type | Fire Rate | Fire Control | Damage | Range - S/M/L | Ammo | Price | Ammo Price |
Microwwave Lasers | ||||||||
Brodie M-20 | Hold Out | 1 | 0 | 3D+1 | 3-10/40/80 | 25* | 206 | 5 |
Brodie M-25 | Pistol | 1s | 0 | 3D+2 | 3-25/75/150 | 50* | 417 | 15 |
Brodie M-30 | Urban Env. | 1s | 0 | 4D+2 | 3-50/ 80/175 | 100* | 1050 | 30 |
Brodie MW-3 | Assault Rifle | - | 0 | 6D+1 | 5-40/150/300 | 150* | 1100 | 25 |
Brodie MW-2 | Civilian/Sniper | 1s | 0 | 5D+2 | 5-50/500/1500 | 100* | 880 | 40 |
* - Runs off of disposable cells |
Brodie M-20 Personal MicroDefender (Holdout): The M-20 Personal MicroDefender is
a very compact weapon system that's damn effective for a holdout. It looks like nothing
more than a round piece of plastic with a small barrel pointing out. It can fit in the
palm of the average Human hand and only the barrel will protrude from your fingers. This
is a hot market item among thieves - not because it's particularly lethal, but because
it's a great way to get past electronic security systems. The M-20 is a single shot
weapon.
Type: Microwave Holdout
Scale: Character
Skill: Blasters
Brodie M-25 Microwave Pistol (Pistol): A compact (15cm) and powerful weapon, the
M-25 is the standard sidearm of many megacorp security forces. It has gained a reputation
as a reliable weapon and is pretty much the standard against which micro weapons are
measured. Naturally, the security guys carry slugthrowers and other weapons in the event
their quarry takes refuge in a computer center.
Type: Microwave Pistol
Scale: Character
Skill: Blasters
Brodie M-30 Heavy Repeating Microwave Pistol (Urban Environment): At 25cm, the
M-30 is one of the bulkier pistols currently making use of microwave laser technology. It
was originally designed for megacorporate crisis response teams. Like the M-20, its
reliability and effectiveness make it a popular choice.
Type: Microwave Urban Environment
Scale: Character
Skill: Blasters
Brodie MW-3 Repeating Microwave Rifle (Assault Rifle): This item has an
interesting history. It was originally designed by Brodie for use by Corporate Sector
Police, and so has the proper connections for use with the Brodie Mark IV.
Unfortunately, the Espos opted for non-microwave weapons and Brodie was stuck with a
number of already-produced MW-3s. This weapon is capable of semi-automatic, and auto fire
and can be connected to a backpack-mounted power cell for three times the normal number of
shots available through a power pack.
Type: Microwave Military Issue
Scale: Character
Skill: Blasters
Brodie MW-2 Microwave Rifle (Civilian/Sniper): The MW-2 Microwave Rifle was
intended for use by law enforcement and security forces, but as a black market item, it
has found its way into the hands of pirates and sumugglers. Numerous incidents of sabotage
have been traced to use of the MW-2, and Brodie's said to have a whole unit of corp
marines whose job is to track down stolen rifles and slag the thieves.
Type: Microwave Civilian/Sniper
Scale: Character
Skill: Blasters