Heavy Weapons Database

Aerospace Defense Laser: An extremely large laser weapon built to engage targets in space, the aerospace defense laser is typically a feature of fixed installations, though superheavy vehicles such as oceangoing ships may also install this weapon. Though its comparative lack of hitting power usually limits the ADL to engaging missiles and smallcraft, it can still readily engage starsships, or be turned to the surface to engage vehicles.
Autocannon: Autocannons are chemically powered guns that fire automatically. They can deliver a hail of artillery scale in short order. There are three types of autocannon. The smallest, light autocannon typically use a similar round to those found in anti-materiel rifles and light assault guns, but with greater bulk that, while theoretically capable of being carried by infantry, is better suited to vehicles. The medium autocannon is exclusively a vehicular weapon, firing decently sized shots, typically finding use as a fire support weapon on armored fighting vehicles or used en masse as anti-aircraft weapons, typically on mid-tech ships. The heaviest autocannons are devastating fire support weapons that are typically mounted on upper-mid tech ships as main battery guns, or on heavy, specialized vehicles. Though typically replaced by gauss weaponry, advanced versions of autocannons remain potent weapons until the upper levels of technology yet achieved by humanity.
Black Powder Canon: A bulky primitive cannon, the black powder cannon provides a reasonably powerful field piece. Generally speaking, it is found aboard early ships or land yachts of the appropriate tech-levels, or on carriages as standalone weapons, though later examples of the weapon could be mounted on trains or other steam powered ground vehicles.
Bolt-Thrower: The earliest artillery scaled weapon ever developed, the bolt-thrower, or ballista is similar in principle to a superheavy crossbow, though with some difference in how the mechanism stores power. Ballistae launch a heavy bolt over a respectable distance, with more than enough energy to penetrate armors of the time, and even buildings.
Bombardment Rocket Rack: A heavy, though mostly ground focused version of the rocket pod, the bombardment rocket rack volley fires heavy rockets in order to suppress enemy positions in preparation for an assault. Though not especially effective against vehicles, it can destroy fortifications and other static emplacements with concentrated fire.
Cannon: Powerful, chemically powered direct fire weapons, Cannons are usually found as the main guns of tanks, and other armored fighting vehicles. Light cannons are the earliest to appear, often showing up in societies just entering mid-tech status but serving as effective direct fire weapons until well after heavier cannons become common. Medium cannons are typically seen as the “default” cannon type across most of the galaxy, used on most mid-tech tanks. Heavy cannons are a bit more specialized, requiring a heavier platform to use successfully, but delivering an extremely powerful punch. Though it is eventually phased on in most armies with the advent of energy weapons, advanced versions of the cannon can remain somewhat competitive even with plasma and fusion guns.
Field Gun: An early bridge between the primitive black powder weapons and mid-tech artillery, the field gun is a light piece of field artillery primarily used in a direct fire capacity. The field gun can be pressed into service in an indirect fire role, though it is suboptimal for it. Field guns can also be found mounted into the hulls and turrets of early armored fighting vehicles.
Fusion Gun: The ultimate in ground vehicle weaponry when it comes to the mix of mobility, range, and stopping power, the fusion gun uses the same principle as the portable versions ideally using a vehicle’s fusion reactor to deliver a much more powerful miniature nuclear detonation. The fusion gun can punch through just about any armor not rated for starship grade weaponry and deliver a devastating blow.
Fusion Gun, Rapid Fire: An advanced version of the fusion gun that trades some of its stopping power and range for the ability to fire up to three pulses in quick succession, against more light armored targets the additional bolts can be utterly devastating, and even armored targets struggle to hold up to the force.
Gatling Laser: The gatling laser is a heavy laser weapon that trades hitting power for very high rates of fire. Using several barrels with cryogenic cooling, the gatling laser’s torrent of beams can tear apart unarmored and lightly armored targets with ease, though it struggles to get through tough armor. The gatling laser is generally used for anti-personnel and air defense work as a result.
Gauss Cannon: Gauss cannons are an improvement over chemically propelled guns. However, instead of using an explosion to launch the projectile. Gauss cannons bridge the gap between cannons and autocannons, providing comparable, if sometimes slightly less, stopping power than the former, and similar rates of fire to the latter. They are also very effective at punching through armor. Gauss cannons come in three varieties. Light gauss cannons which are primarily used as support weapons on lighter IFVs; medium gauss cannons which are the typical weapon found on armored fighting vehicles, and powerful heavy gauss cannons which are very destructive but often required a specialized carriage.
Heavy Rocket Pod: Typically mounted to aircraft, the heavy rocket pod is a comparatively cheap volley fire rocket launcher that provides effective fire support useful for taking down infantry formations and light vehicles.
Hypervelocity Gun: Essentially a ship-scale railgun modified for use against terrestrial targets, the hypervelocity gun is a powerful direct fire weapon that is usually a static weapon, though it is occasionally placed on ships, or on the heaviest of ground vehicles.The hypervelocity gun can be turned skyward and kit hit targets much further out when engaging spacecraft in low orbit. However, it cannot be used in an indirect fire capacity at all.
Lancer Assault Lance: Perhaps the second most common Lancer weapon, the lancer assault lance packs a six barreled gun that contains powerful explosive charges. They are detonated in sequence each time the lance makes contact with a target. The operator however can elect not to use this function, instead using the heated tip of the weapon in melee. As with most Lances, the Assault Lance typically takes up the entire arm of most Combat Walkers.
Lancer Fusion Lance: A combination weapon consisting of a relatively crude fusion gun, and a lancer’s lance. The fusion lance is perhaps the most powerful lance type weapon in common use. The fusion lance delivers devastating fire while the Lancer closes in to deal a finishing blow with the superheated tip of the lance. Lancer Gun Lance: A common lance adaptation, the gun lance is a combination lance and cannon with an ammunition feed. The gun lance allows a Lancer pilot to engage targets at a distance before the melee clash commences.
Lancer Plasma Lance: A step between gun and fusion lances, the plasma lance has a powerful, but relatively primitive plasma gun. This powerful combination weapon is highly effective, second only the fusion lance in power.
Laser Cannon: A heavy barreled laser gun, the laser cannon is the earliest attempt to create vehicle scale energy weaponry. It can effectively replace less advanced variants of the cannon and autocannon, but is less powerful than the more advanced variants, nor of plasma or fusion weaponry, especially as they are quite heavy. There are three variants, light medium, and heavy for use with lighter armored fighting vehicles, medium as a typical heavy gun, and heavy trading power in exchange for needing a heavier carriage.
Meson Accelerator: Requiring an enormous power supply the meson accelerator is almost exclusively mounted in fixed installations, though superheavy gun carriages can mount it. The meson accelerator is extremely powerful, the meson detonation bypassing virtually any barrier to hit its target and detonate with extreme force. This allows the gun to hit anything within range that the operator knows the location of, typically requiring advanced computers to handle the calculations. Despite the difficult logistics of fielding one of these weapons, it remains one of the most powerful weapons in the galaxy below the ship scale.
Orbital Defense Cannon: A scaled up hypervelocity gun, the orbital defense cannon can even hit targets well into orbit however, it remains a strictly direct fire weapon with no utility as indirect fire support.
Plasma Gun: A powerful plasma gun built for vehicular use, it is the most common heavy weapon used on high tech combat vehicles due to its lack of need for ammunition, and capable spread of performance measures. The plasma gun is an effective general purpose weapon, though other weapons are more efficient at anti-personnel or anti-vehicle duties.
Plasma Missile Rack: A truly terrifying and devastating weapon, the plasma missile rack is a pre-made rack of heavy duty plasma warhead missiles. Upon detonation almost anything within its blast radius is vaporized. The missiles can be ripple fired, allowing for a powerful volley of deadly ordinance to rain down on targets.
Plasma-Pulse Gun: A development of the plasma gun, the plasma-pulse gun trades a small amount of stopping power for the ability to burst fire several plasma bolts in quick succession. The plasma-pulse gun is generally favored for defensive fortifications, but does wind up on many vehicles as well.
Railgun: A primitive version of the gauss weapons, or a reduced scale version of shipboard railguns, these weapons are favored in specific roles, primarily they are used as specialized anti-tank weaponry before the advent of energy weapons starts to eclipse projectile based equivalents.
Rotary Autocannon: A light autocannon variant, that sports multiple barrels and a powerful motor, the rotary autocannon is used to rip to shreds lightly armored targets in a hail of fire. Rotary autocannons are usually used as close-in weapon system on mid tech ships and installations, though it has a secondary use as a short range weapon on equivalent aircraft.
Water Cannon: A nonlethal weapon normally used by law enforcement, the water cannon sprays a powerful burst of water that is very difficult to hold one’s ground against. This weapon is usually used during protests and riots to break them up.

Black Powder Mortar: Black Powder mortars are an early gunpowder siege weapon that lobs an explosive shot over a high trajectory. These weapons are among the first pieces of artillery that a feral society would have access to.
Bombardment Gun: Bombardment guns are typically railway guns or naval artillery that launch a powerful shell at great distance. Simple and effective, these weapons are the dominant long range weapon for naval vessels until the advent of the missile.
Catapult: Perhaps the most primitive example of artillery in the galaxy, catapults hurl rocks at a distance that is respectable for the technology of the weapon.
Demolition Gun: Heavy, short barreled mortars that lob explosives over a short area. These weapons are used primarily to destroy fortified positions. These weapons are typically mounted on dedicated assault engineering vehicles or as railway guns.
Heavy Bombardment Gun: Superheavy cannons that are almost exclusively mounted on warships, though the rare dedicated superheavy rail gun can sometimes be spotted with these weapons. These weapons can destroy even heavy warships with a few volleys, or can destroy fortifications with a similar efficacy.
Heavy Gun: Heavy guns are powerful artillery weapons that are primarily used for indirect fire support. This weapon can be fired directly over open sights, but does so at a reduced range and efficacy.
Heavy Howitzer: Primitive heavy field guns, heavy howitzers launch explosive shells over a high trajectory as a form of indirect fire support.
Light Gun: A mobile artillery piece that delivers effective and mobile fire support. It can be fired directly over open sights, but has extremely short range when used in this manner.
Light Howitzer: A light artillery piece that fires a modest explosive charge over some distance, it is less effective than the light gun, but is capable enough in an indirect fire role.
Mass Driver: Mass drivers are advanced artillery pieces that are typically mounted on vehicles that can provide a power supply for it, the mass driver is a capable indirect fire weapon that is nearly as effective at firing directly as it is in an artillery role.
Siege Gun: An ultraheavy artillery piece that represents perhaps the most powerful artillery piece conceived by humanity. The siege gun fires a multiton shell that can obliterate almost anything it hits. Siege guns are almost always mounted on maritime capital ships, but the a superheavy rail carriage can mount siege guns. Trebuchet: An advanced variant of the catapult, the trebuchet is effective at destroying primitive fortifications of the feral worlds, and is effective in this role as it is possible to be before the advent of gunpowder.