Energy Weapons

1. All laser weapons, from pistols to cannons, have no "kick," unlike projectile weapons which always have some amount of recoil and sound. Likewise, heavy energy weapons (ion blasters, particle beams and plasma ejectors) also have some amount of recoil and/or reverberate with energy, and make some sound. 2. Lasers are completely silent! The beams don't make any noise except for the click of the trigger, the soft hum of the energy clip and the sizzling "ssswhack" sound it makes when it hits (and sears through or into) its target. This is one reason lasers are preferred by assassins and snipers. The sounds we, as players, imagine are the result of a lifetime of hearing movie and cartoon special effects. From Star Wars and Star Trek to Lost in Space and Robotech, energy and laser-type weapons have always made cool sounds. Of course, explosions in space also have sound, but in real life, there would be no sound in space. The reason sound is added to these fictional works is because the audience expects it! And let's admit it, we all love these special sound effects. That having been said, I must admit that when I play Rifts, The Mechanoids, Robotech or any game where energy weapons are used, I make sounds for them (I also do voices for characters, but that's me). Consequently, the manufacturers of laser weapons may take into consideration the expectations of humans (and similar D-bees) and actually build in cool sound generators for enhanced (psychological) effect and bigger sales. Marketing research by Wilk's and Northern Gun have shown that energy weapons that make sounds sell better by 15-33% (a substantial difference). In most cases, weapons with sound generators, particularly all sniper laser rifles, have an on and off switch for sound. 3. Most laser weapons fire a short light beam or blast, rather than one long, continuous beam; mainly to conserve on energy and to prevent the weapon from overheating. 4. Rapid-fire "pulse" lasers are the latest in laser technology and typically fire two or three super fast, high-powered laser beams in a matter of a half a second or less with each pull of the trigger. This quick, multi-blast often appears as one, and does greater damage than the more conventional single blast. Pulse lasers are limited to rifles and cannons. 5. Lasers (amplified light) have the longest range of all energy weapons, which is another reason warriors are attracted to them. Particle beams and ion blasts generally do more damage, but have significantly shorter range and often burn up more energy than the efficient and silent laser. 6. Rail guns kick like a mule, sound like a machinegun (along with a high-pitched whine the moment they are turned on), and weigh 5-10 times more than the average rifle. Some, like the Glitter Boy's big, cannon-like gun, make a booming or exploding sound each time they are fired. 7. Particle beam weapons, ion blasters and other types of energy weapons have a slight recoil and make sounds when they are fired, typically a high-pitched whistle or whine of energy through the air, or a low thrum, or a short crack of energy as' it erupts from the weapon. 8. Black Market Prices for E-Clips: Cost of standard E-Clip (20 shot): 5,000-7,000 credits for a new, fully charged clip; 1500 credits to recharge. Cost of a Long E-Clip (30 shots): 9,000-12,000 credits for a new, fully charged clip; 2000 credits to recharge. Cost of a CS Weapon Canister (or E-Canister): 10-30 shots depending on weapon type. Typically suitable only for old style CS weapons and knock-offs: 10,000 to 15,000 credits; 2000 credits to recharge. Cost of a Mini-Power Pack: A CS hip or backpack canister (new CS weapons): Approximately 60 shots, but is likely to require modification of the weapon in order to use it, at a cost of 5,000 cr. The canister costs 20,000-30,000 credits and 4,000 to recharge.