Maser EW

Masers are a weapon that is considered an EW even though it does not belong to the baseline laser weapons. Masers work by focusing and amplifying microwaves... which doesn't really help them be any more useful against shields. In fact, it tends to be particularly bad even against average armors, with modern thermoset ceramics being more than capable to easily block even the strongest masers.   In fact, there is only a singular thing the masers are good at. At piracy. Masers can easily fire 'through' average trading ship hull... and practically grill its crew alive, alowing the the pirates to easily claim a ship that nobody can defend anymore. Which, admitedly, isn't a very humanitarian way and isn't something every pirate wishes to do.   Especially because masers are forbidden by an international convention signed by Res Publica Christiana, New North Atlantic Treaty, Ancien Régime and Islamic League. All ships that are found to carry one are automatically considered pirate units, their crew subjected to swift justice (in most cases - to simply being thrown out the airlock without suits).