Plasma weaponry

Plasma weaponry is a type of directed energy weapon that employs plasma to inflict damage on the target. The Hivivian military has incorporated this advanced technology in its arsenal to great effect. Essentially, plasma is a charged gas made up of positively charged ions and negatively charged electrons.
The Hivivian military has made significant strides in the development of plasma weaponry. They have been able to integrate this technology into various types of weapons, including handheld guns, rifles, heavy artillery (including vehicles and starship guns), and even melee weaponry. In the heat of combat, this cutting-edge technology has been a game-changer for the Hivivian military, allowing them to strike targets with pinpoint accuracy and unprecedented speed.

Operation

The core of plasma weaponry involves a miniaturized fusion reactor-- a marvel of Hivivian engineering that uses magnetic fields to control and manipulate superheated plasma. A significant portion of the weapon's mass is devoted to heat management systems, ensuring that the intense heat generated by the weapon does not damage its internal components or the wielder.
The process begins as the fusion reactor starts up, ionizing the gas to create plasma. This gas can be any hydrogen-based compound, although the military often prefers deuterium or tritium for maximum energy output. The plasma is then confined and directed using powerful electromagnets, which prevent it from directly contacting the internal components of the weapon. They work in a sequence, forming a magnetic tunnel that guides the plasma down the barrel of the weapon and out towards the target. Once the trigger is pulled, the containment field weakens at one end, allowing the plasma to surge forward. In the blink of an eye, a concentrated bolt of superheated plasma is ejected from the weapon with incredible force and speed - a flash of searing energy that leaves destruction in its wake.

Defense against plasma weaponry

The most common form of defense against plasma weapons is energy shielding. These shields generate a field of highly charged particles that can absorb and disperse incoming plasma blasts, reducing their effectiveness. Shielding technology varies widely from one civilization to another, with some deploying personal energy shields for infantry while others use larger, more potent versions to protect starships and installations. Although not completely impervious to plasma attacks, these shields can withstand several direct hits before being depleted, buying precious time for soldiers on the battlefield.
Another form of defense is the use of ablative armor - a material designed to vaporize upon impact, absorbing a portion of the incoming energy and deflecting the rest away from the target. Ablative armor has proven effective in tank-versus-tank engagements, where the first hit often determines the outcome.

List of plasma weapons

STARSHIP WEAPONS

Plasma torpedo: The most commonly used plasma weapon on starships is the plasma torpedo. These are long-range projectiles that carry a highly energized bolt of plasma towards their target at incredible speeds. The plasma is contained within a magnetic field until it reaches its maximum range, at which point the containment field weakens and releases the superheated energy towards its target. The destructive power of a single plasma torpedo is immense, often able to cripple or destroy smaller ships in one hit.

Plasma cannon: Similar to their terrestrial counterparts, plasma cannons on starships are massive guns capable of firing highly concentrated beams of energized plasma. These cannons require tremendous amounts of power to operate and can only be mounted on larger ships due to their size and weight. However, once fired, they can unleash a devastating blast of superheated energy that can easily pierce through shields and heavily damage enemy vessels.

Plasma charge: Plasma charges are smaller versions of plasma torpedoes that are commonly used in defensive systems on starships. They act as short-range missiles that can be launched in clusters towards incoming threats such as enemy drones or missiles. The charges are designed to explode upon impact, showering an area with intense heat and causing significant damage.

Energy projector: Among the most powerful and feared weapons in space warfare are energy projectors - massive superweapons capable of unleashing colossal beams or waves of highly energized particles across vast distances. These weapons come in various forms but all share the common ability to cause widespread destruction on a massive scale. They require immense amounts of power to operate and are often reserved for battles of critical importance, where the stakes are no less than the survival of the Hivivian Empire itself.

MOUNTED WEAPONS

Plasma cannon: The most common type of weapon found on land-based vehicles is the plasma cannon. Similar to its starship counterpart, it fires highly concentrated beams of energized plasma at its targets. These cannons are usually mounted on tanks or other armored vehicles, providing them with a high degree of offensive capability.

Class-1 directed energy cannon: Another popular weapon found on ground-based vehicles is the class-1 directed energy cannon. This weapon uses a powerful laser beam to create a focused stream of superheated plasma that can easily penetrate through armor and other defenses. It is often used as an anti-vehicle or anti-aircraft weapon, capable of taking down even the largest and most heavily armored enemies.

Heavy plasma cannon: For larger, more heavily armored vehicles such as battle tanks or hovercrafts, heavy plasma cannons are often used. These weapons fire larger projectiles that contain a much higher concentration of energized plasma, making them extremely destructive and able to cause significant damage to enemy vehicles and structures.

HANDHELD WEAPONS

Class-2 Energy Sword: The class-2 energy sword is the primary melee weapon used by the Shilizel. It is a highly advanced weapon that utilizes an energized blade made of superheated plasma. The energy sword is capable of cutting through most materials with ease, making it a formidable weapon in close combat.

Plasma Pistol: The standard sidearm for Hivivian soldiers, commonly the Gnimgian, is the plasma pistol. This compact and lightweight weapon that fires small bolts of energized plasma at high velocities, making it effective against unarmored targets. It has a high rate of fire but requires frequent reloads due to its limited ammunition capacity.

Plasma rifle: For medium-range engagements, Shilizel, Becceorian, and Nin’aes are commonly armed with a plasma rifle. This weapon fires larger bolts of superheated plasma at greater distances, making it more powerful than the plasma pistol. It also has a higher ammunition capacity and can be set to either semi-automatic or automatic mode.

Plasma Repeater: To provide suppressive fire or engage multiple targets at once, commonly used by Shilizel. This weapon functions similarly to the plasma rifle but has a much higher rate of fire and can fire in bursts instead of single shots. It is often used as a support weapon by commanders on the frontlines, providing cover for their comrades while they advance or take position.

EXPLOSIVES

Plasma grenade: The plasma grenade is the standard explosive utilized by Hivivian military across all classifications. Contained within a small sphere, the grenade houses a miniature energy core that, once activated, begins a countdown to detonation. Upon explosion, the grenade releases a burst of superheated plasma that can incinerate anything within its blast radius. It is effective for clearing out enemy bunkers or groups of infantry.