Sonic Weaponry: Difference between revisions
1d4chan>Derpysaurus mNo edit summary |
1d4chan>Derpysaurus m (→Laud Hailer) |
||
| Line 105: | Line 105: | ||
===Laud Hailer=== | ===Laud Hailer=== | ||
[[File:Laud_Hailer.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Laud Hailer]] | [[File:Laud_Hailer.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Laud Hailer]] | ||
Laud Hailers are used by the Adepta Sororitas ' Sisters of Battle and the Ordo Hereticus as devices intended to spread faith in the God-Emperor. Proclaiming the power of the Emperor in heavenly tones, Laud Hailers fill the enemies of Mankind with dread. These devices can be used by the Adepta Sororitas Rhino, Immolator, and Exorcist vehicles. These are usually shaped like a small angel holding a trumpet, where the trumpet contains the device's sound projection system. | Not really a weapon per se, Laud Hailers are used by the Adepta Sororitas ' Sisters of Battle and the Ordo Hereticus as devices intended to spread faith in the God-Emperor. Proclaiming the power of the Emperor in heavenly tones, Laud Hailers fill the enemies of Mankind with dread. These devices can be used by the Adepta Sororitas Rhino, Immolator, and Exorcist vehicles. These are usually shaped like a small angel holding a trumpet, where the trumpet contains the device's sound projection system. | ||
Occasionally, they can also be used in a more portable form by the [[Sage#Sister Dialogous|Sister Dialogous]] which is shaped like a giant [[Derp|staff/microphone/spoon.]] | Occasionally, they can also be used in a more portable form by the [[Sage#Sister Dialogous|Sister Dialogous]] which is shaped like a giant [[Derp|staff/microphone/spoon.]] | ||
Revision as of 00:39, 2 January 2018
"My Emperors Children, what sweet music they make."
- – Fulgrim
One of the most exotic kind of weapons, sonic weapons emit vibrations from sound waves of various frequencies in order to not just make your usual scrub's ear drums to explode but also to disrupt anything they hit, shaking the target quite literally apart. Most commonly used by the Emperor's Children, the Eldar make use of them as well.
Noise Marine Weaponry
The warbands of the Emperor's Children (and Noise Marines in general) use sonic weapons with great frequency, and sport three variations of the weapon. Back in the 80s, these weapons were stylized to resemble electric guitars and keytars, making Noise Marines look like psychotic weaponised hair metal bands. This awesomeness, alas, gave way to more "modernistic" fancy guns around 4th edition.
Sonic Blaster
The basic weapon employed by Noise Marines it fires blasts of sound capable of tearing through targets with the force of a Bolter via wave after wave of devastating harmonics, best suited to mowing down infantry hordes, but fired in mass can strip wounds of vehicles and monsters.
For some reason, instead of firing off invisible sound waves like a real life audio weapon would or any other 40k Sonic weapon for that matter, the Sonic Blaster along with the rest of the Noise Marine's Sonic armory fires off purple energy of audio disruptions.
The weapon can unleash short riffs or long, discordant wails. A twin-linked and enlarged version of the weapon is used by Chaos Sonic Dreadnoughts.
Blastmaster
The Blastmaster (no, not those fancy toy guns you get from the 90's) is the Sonic Blaster turned up to 11 (herro!). It produces a throbbing bass note which is strong enough to burst eyeballs and rupture organs. At different frequencies the weapon can have different effects, either harming individuals with a varying frequency or destroying an entire area with a single pulsing frequency, more details on this firing setting can be read below.
It can fire on two settings: the varied frequency setting can be fired similarly to a heavy bolter, even on the move, though it has a slightly slower rate of fire; the single frequency setting turns it into a straight up heavy weapon that can project its ROCK over a significant target area that can damage light and medium vehicles, and kill several space marines outright. Despite its name has nothing to do with Master Blaster, who is awesome in other ways.
Doom Siren
The Doom Siren (also known as the Angry/Agony Organ) is a backpack-mounted/helmet-mounted/why-not-both-mounted device that can weaponize the warcries of the wearer, turning his facemelters into literal facemelters.
Its basically a miniaturized and weaponized Dirge Caster or the Chaos version of a Banshee Mask.
The device is made up primarily of an arrangement of tubes around their helmets which can project short-ranged sonic attack and amplify the war cries of the bearer into a devastating sonic scream which spreads out in front of the charging marine. However, certain Noise Marines must have their armor specially modified and fitted for it to be used properly.
Most often then not, some Noise Marines would get a bunch of Doom Sirens and connect it on their backs for triple the fun. It is the spiritual successor of the Sonic Shrieker.
Sonic Shrieker
A piece of utility wargear rather than an offensive weapon, this Great Crusade-era implant was a Laer-derived implant, giving those equipped an advantage by inflicting a -1 WS debuff to enemy models in base contact that aren't immune to Fear. This implant doesn't make an appearance a few years down the line, either being empowered by the Chaos God Slaanesh probably led to this wargear being phased out as the Crusade built up, or was possibly "upgraded" and incorporated into the Emperor's Children implantation process for further generations of sick fucks.
By function, the Sonic Shrieker is in essence a diminutive version of a Doom Siren, the Sonic Shrieker can be used to unleash a brief but potent sonic barrage upon an opponent at close quarters, disorienting him, and leaving him open to a killing blow. A Sonic Shrieker can only be fitted to a Power Armour Helmet (which it is "rumored to draw its origins from xenos technology" - a pretty clear reference to the infamous masks of the Eldar Howling Banshees), for it require to be connected to the miniature fusion reactor from the armor's backpack in order to fire, and even then, the Shrieker needs the better part of an hour to build up enough energy to fire once more when discharged.
Kakophony
A weapon that was derived from the bizarre instruments commissioned by Remembrancer Bequa Kynska for her opera for the Emperor's Children (or were those instruments, looted from the blood- and semen-stained stage), this was one of the first human made sonic weapons and was designed for ear rape as well as mind rape. They were able to unleash blasts of screaming discordant energy that can rupture flesh and incinerate metal, but their most terrifying ability was to open up the minds of those they touch to the horrors of the Warp as they also happen to be PSYCHIC!
This Great Cursade-era weapon was used by the Emperor's Children Kakophoni (the first recognizable Noise Marines), and they look like big sonic blasters, and can be thought of as prototypical blastmasters. This was a heavy weapon that had only one firing mode that was stronger than a blastmaster's varied frenquency setting, but could only fire twice and had Gets Hot!; but they had the bonus of having the capacity to inflict collateral damage to a squad that could kill most units outright.
Dirge Caster
Chaos Laud Hailers.
The Dirge Caster is a broadcaster, which outputs a non-stop litany of Chaos. Incomprehensible and disturbing to all others, the sound enthralls and absorbs the followers of Chaos, driving out any uncertainty or doubt. The device also emits terrifying screams, wails, and howls to demolish and confuse the enemy. A Dirge Caster cannot be used on a vehicle that already has a Warp Amplifier installed. Dirge Casters can be used by all Chaos Vehicles.
8th Edition
With the advent of 8th edition, a few changes were made to the weapons:
- The Sonic Blaster is 4 pt upgrade from the regular Boltgun: with the same 24" S4 AP0 D1 profile. But with Assault 3 making for a far more flexible weapon capable of 3 shot at 24" rather than one. While also allowing shooting after advancing. As a sonic weapon it denies the enemy bonuses to their saves due to cover.
- The Blastmaster has two firing modes either: 36" S4 AP-1 D1 Assault D6, or 48" S8 AP-2 DD3 Heavy D3, both of which ignore cover bonuses. Making it superior to a missile launcher in every way. In its assault mode is has 12" less range but AP-1. In its heavy fire mode its essential a D3 Krak Missile Launcher that costs 5 points less. Blastmasters are not as powerful as they once were against power armor; but are far better against characters, terminators, vehicles, and multi-wound models in general. Averaging 2 shots at S8 AP-2 D2, but possibly doing 9 damage in a single shooting phase, at 20 pts they cost 5 pts less than a Missile Launcher or Lascannon! The Varied Frequency setting will see far more use than in the past as well; averaging 3.5 S4 AP-1 D1 shots, with the potential for 6 shots, it's got slightly better rate of fire than a Sonic Blaster, and a much-improved AP of -1.
- The Doom Siren is now a heavy flamer with 8" S5 AP-2 D1 Assault D6 that auto-hits, and does not allow cover bonuses for 22 pts.
Chaos Renegades
According to the Tome of Excess for Black Crusade, followers of Chaos besides the Noise Marines also make use of sonic weaponry, though its usage is still predominantly concentrated amongst Slaaneshi faithful.
Unfortunately, there isn't any cannon models, so proxies are often used as a place in.
Ghibelline Shrieking Pistol
This is the smallest known form of non-Legion sonic weaponry, discharging thrumming blasts of psychosonic energy. This bulky, pistol-sized weapon requires a backpack-mounted power source to operate, and its psychosonic discharges have destructive effects similar to the blasts of a Hellgun. In the Screaming Vortex, sonic weaponry is most associated with the world of Ghibelline. Sonic weaponry requires energy to function, rather than ammunition, so those renegades not blessed enough to have a suit of power armor to hook them into must wear power generating backpacks.The Shrieking Pistol is no exception.
The Pirates of the Ragged Helix are mentioned as favoring this weapon for its ability to blast a target free of the limited gravity of their home range with a single shot, condemning the victim to an excruciating death as they spiral off into the depths of space.
Ghibelline Howler Rifle
A sniper rifle that fires extremely accurate sonic blasts over long distances. Creating a distinctive howl earning its name.
These weapons fire intensely focused and accurate blasts of high-pitched sound, but when used at their full power, they create an acoustic onslaught that causes the wielder - and anyone else nearby - to suffer uncontrollable bleeding from their ears. Ghibelline Howler Rifles are not to be confused with the similarly named Howler Rifles known to be used by the infamous Rak'gol which are essentially a triple-barreled machine gun.
Ghibelline Hyperwave Clarion
The most powerful sonic wave cannon to be carried by a non-Astartes heretic, this complex but sturdy weapon crafted by the Ghibelline Heretek uses endlessly alternating frequencies of sounds that oscillate faster than matter can withstand to reduce bones to jelly, blast ferrocrete to powder and liquefy adamantine. Like the rest of the Ghibelline weapons, the Hyperwave requires a backpack to store its energy.
As bulky as it is destructive, even an Astartes operator will find hauling this weapon around difficult.
Shatterscream Rounds
Originally a humble automated sentry alarm called a Screamer, Shatterscream rounds repurposes the clarions into makeshift ammo in an attempt to create a more portable and easily acquired form of sonic weaponry.
Imperium
The Imperium is known to utilize audio weapons and tools in their mode of warfare. AdMechs and Sisters are known users.
Seismic Cannon
The Seismic Cannon is a type of construction equipment used by the Imperium that is known for its weight, requiring a tripod to successfully fire. Usually aimed towards blasting giant boulders into pebbles or demolishing a house in a few well placed shots, it is one of the more common tools found in the Imperium of Man. However it is also utilized as a weapon in some cases, most notably by Genestealer Cults.
The distinctive pronged muzzle of a seismic cannon sends out pulsed bow waves of sonic force that can shiver a basilica wall into rubble, or turn the internal organs of living targets to mush.
Heavy Seismic Cannon
A much bigger variant of the normal Seismic Cannon.
Like the Seismic Cannon, the Heavy Seismic Cannon is a common construction equipment used by the Imperium of Man. In this case, the Heavy Seismic Cannon is used against materials that can withstand the sonic impact of even the regular Seismic Cannon. Such materials may include diamonds, gems and other super dense composites.
Due to its large size and heavy and awkward firing position, the Heavy Seismic Cannon is only used on heavy utility vehicles that can mount such weapons and withstand the sonic backlash of these guns, the most common carrier of the Heavy Seismic Cannon is the Goliath Rockgrinder vehicles.
Laud Hailer
Not really a weapon per se, Laud Hailers are used by the Adepta Sororitas ' Sisters of Battle and the Ordo Hereticus as devices intended to spread faith in the God-Emperor. Proclaiming the power of the Emperor in heavenly tones, Laud Hailers fill the enemies of Mankind with dread. These devices can be used by the Adepta Sororitas Rhino, Immolator, and Exorcist vehicles. These are usually shaped like a small angel holding a trumpet, where the trumpet contains the device's sound projection system.
Occasionally, they can also be used in a more portable form by the Sister Dialogous which is shaped like a giant staff/microphone/spoon.
Sonic Destructor
The smaller version of the Sonic Disruptor.
The Sonic Destructor is a type of super-heavy Sonic Weapon used by the Adeptus Mechanicus. Deployed on the Ordinatus Ulator, the kid son of the Ordinatus Mars (Which also coincidentally mounts the much bigger Sonic Disruptor); it is a terrifying weapon whose origins lie in the shadows of the Age of Strife. In battle the Sonic Destructor generates a wave of annihilation that wreaks havoc across the battlefield.
Sonic Disruptor
The Sonic Destructor's father and the biggest Sonic weapon to date.
A Sonic Disruptor is a massive weapon used by Ordinatii, the massive, one-of-a-kind war machines of the Centurio Ordinatus, that utilizes unique technology to produce sound waves which resonate across the battlefield, crumbling buildings, shattering bones, bursting organs and causing electronic equipment to explode as the wall of sonic energy passes over enemy forces.
The frequency of sound used by the Sonic Disruptor ravages those who fall victim to it, from a subsonic rumbling that tears buildings apart to a supersonic squall that pierces eardrums and flays skin from flesh. The Sonic Disruptor scales repeatedly up and down these frequencies, causing a blast of sonic energy that rolls forward like a force wave from a massive conventional explosion. Hiding in cover is of little use, since woods and rubble are just blown apart and walls simply amplify the sonic wave if they are not shattered. Even the weighty armor of a Titan or the reinforced buttresses of a stronghold provide little protection against the wrath of a Sonic Disruptor, the first of which was deployed by the Ordinatus Mars. Targets protected by energy fields such as Void Shields will lose one shield to the sonic wave before it passes.
Eldar
The Eldar employ a number of sonic weapons as well.
Banshee Mask
The quintessential bitch mask. A Banshee Mask is a sonic weapon of terror worn by the Howling Banshee Aspect Warriors.
The mask uses a special psychosonic amplifier, turning the Banshee's raging battle cry into a devastating psychic barrage. Enemies exposed to this psychic scream suffer momentary paralysis as their central nervous system is flooded with psychic energy, making them easy prey for the Banshees . Eldar Autarchs who have mastered the Howling Banshee war path still often utilize these masks when fighting in close quarters combat.
Basically the sonic version of the Striking Scorpion's Mandiblaster's pew pew.
Vibro Cannon
A peculiar weapon, the Vibro Cannon builds up a charge inside itself, and then lets it fly to rip things (and people) apart. The Vibro Cannon uses multiple successive devastating sonic blasts to kill things, so the longer it stays on a target the more dead the target becomes. Comparable to the weapons used by the Noise Marines, except they use a single note or riff, instead of killing the enemy with dubstep. Essentially, the Vibro Cannon is like an opera singer using her voice to shatter a wine glass, whereas a Sonic Blaster is more like sitting right in the front row of a death metal concert and going completely insane in the process. They can also combine with other Vibro Cannons to deal even more damage. As you might guess this weapon has been the butt of many a joke thanks to its name, and just as well it sounds approximately like something the Noise Marines would use, though don't tell an Eldar that...
Sonic Lance
The Sonic Lance is a sophisticated Eldar sonic weapon which uses resonant sonic waves, the same technology found in the smaller Vibro Cannon, to shake a target apart.[1] Also known as a Tremor Cannon, this weapon can gouge great rents in the ground; weaponizing sonic waves to the extreme, the Sonic Lance can shake apart even Superheavy vehicles, flatten Space Marines within their power armor, and tear unprotected Guardsmen limb from limb
Due to its size this weapon can only be used by the Lynx super-heavy tank, or mounted on the Revenant Titan.