Type-53 Plasma Bolt Launcher

The, known as the Plasma Caster is a Republic storm weapon, intended for assault roles against entrenched enemy positions. Closely related to the Type-50B Directed Energy Rifle/Heavy, the Plasma Caster has become a well rounded and highly respected assault weapon.

History
The earliest iteration of the Plasma Caster was built in response to the Unggoy Rebellion, designed to flush out dissidents hiding in fortified hold-fasts. It met with mixed success, and despite not receiving the blessing of the San 'Shyuum, it entered limited production. For nearly a century, it was constantly modified, prototyped, and adjusted, and all the while declined by the Ministry of Resolution.

This weapon would not see frontline conflict until the Blooding Years, where it was bought in massive amounts by many different factions, such as individual warlords, the Covenant, and the Swords. Eventually, the Swords became the only buyer. The weapon, so feared in the assault role, became known as the Sezh'Kasrak, Ruination of Keeps.

Description
The weapon is a well built product of the Merchants of Qikost, with their trademark standards in build quality, and their elegant designs that allow for easy to maintain weapons, and simple to use. Slightly longer than most, and fitted with a stock, its intended for siege work, clearing entrenched positions with fire and brimstone.

The weapon uses replaceable battery cells, each containing five stowed 20mm plasma charges. These can be fired quickly in succession, each packing some decent punch. The plasma charges are designed to last only a certain length of time, their magnetic sheath surviving impact with a surface for just a few seconds after impact. This allows it to be bounced around corners, or landed in trenches before detonating. However, it's real power comes from it's secondary fire mode. The plasma charge can be held, increasing in size and lethality. In order to coax the most destructive power out of it, two magnetic containment sheaths, one on each side, open up, causing the plasma charge to grow in size. Once charged, it fires, launching a large plasma munition that instead of bouncing on impact, adheres to it through electrostatic attraction. IT reaches critical mass within a few moments, and detonates, showering the area in plasma submuntions. This charged shot overheats the weapon temporarily.

The Plasma Caster has a few extra components to give it an edge. As well as the removable battery, it also has a built in ammunition counter, and projected sight.

Siege Dancer
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