Long Plasma Blaster

The Long Plasma Blaster is a high-energy directed-plasma weapon often—though incorrectly—called a Plasma Rifle. The term Rifle technically refers to a projectile-based firearm that uses Rifling to stabilize a physical bullet. Long Plasma Blasters fire **no physical projectile**, instead projecting a tightly condensed, magnetically shaped bolt of superheated plasma. Because the weapon involves no rifling or ballistic stabilization, "rifle" is considered a misnomer.

A mainstay of mid-range infantry combat throughout the Continuum, the Long Plasma Blaster is prized for its accuracy, raw destructive power, and devastating thermal impact.

Classification and Variants

Plasma weaponry spans several distinct categories:

• Plasma Pistols – compact sidearms firing small plasma bolts.
• Long Plasma Blasters – rifle-length weapons used by infantry; optimized accuracy and range.
• Plasma Vortex Guns – emit spiraling “vortices” of compressed plasma with unstable, shredding effects.
• Plasma Cannons – large, often starship-mounted weapons firing **solid projectiles** into magnetic fields so intense that the projectile is instantly converted into roiling, condensed plasma.

Long Plasma Blasters sit between pistols and vortex weapons, offering stability, precision, and manageable energy requirements.

Function and Operation

A Long Plasma Blaster generates a small mass of ionized gas within a plasma chamber, then compresses it into a semi-stable bolt using electromagnetic shaping coils. Upon firing:

1. A magnetic accelerator sheath launches the bolt. 2. The plasma maintains cohesion for roughly 50–100 feet. 3. Upon impact, the plasma disperses explosively, transferring extreme heat into the target.

The temperature of the plasma bolt is commonly compared to the **surface of a star**, making it capable of:

• vaporizing organic tissue
• melting steel and composites
• burning through multiple layers of standard armor

Because the projectile is energy-based, recoil is nearly nonexistent.

Combat Performance

Long Plasma Blasters are favored for their balance of:

• high accuracy
• predictable spread
• lethal close-to-mid-range stopping power

They excel in boarding actions, tight urban combat, and anti-armor engagements where traditional kinetic weapons are less effective.

The main drawback is their relatively short effective range compared to ballistic rifles; beyond 100 feet the plasma loses cohesion and dissipates.

Countermeasures and Armor

The advent of Polarized Armor changed plasma warfare dramatically. When properly charged:

• polarized fields disrupt plasma cohesion
• impacts dissipate as harmless heat blooms
• lethality is greatly reduced

However, a direct hit to an unpolarized segment—or a momentary loss of charge—can still result in instant destruction.

Varkest Armor is renowned for being nearly invulnerable to plasma. Its heat-scattering crystalline lattice absorbs and diffuses energy bolts with exceptional efficiency. That said, even Varkest plates **can eventually deform or weaken** under repeated plasma strikes, especially at close range.

Cultural and Military Adoption

Long Plasma Blasters are standard equipment for:

• Valorîin Royal Marines
• Coalition planetary forces
• high-security starship detachments
• elite mercenary companies

Due to their lack of recoil and simplicity of operation, they are also popular among species unfamiliar with traditional firearms.

See Also

• Rifle
• Rifling
• Plasma Cannon
• Plasma Vortex Gun
• Plasma Pistol
• Plasma
• Polarized Armor
• Varkest Armor
• Varkest