Phosphor Weaponry

Phosphor Weapons (Gee try and guess what kind of chemical it fires...) are an ancient and very deadly form of unique weapon utilised by the armed forces of the Adeptus Mechanicus. If you haven't guessed by its name, Phosphor Weapons basically fire White Phosphorous in SPESS! Called Phosphex, though the crawling horror of Phosphex Weapons is all but forgotten in the Imperium, the blinding white fire of Phosphor weaponry is still utilised by the warriors of the Skitarii Legions to mark out high priority targets amongst battlefield murk.

If those struck by the burning spheres fired by these weapons are not killed by the initial trauma, they are soon felled by the light-guided volley that follows. Phosphor Weapons range from the hand-held Serpenta favoured by many Tech-priests, to the Heavy Phosphor Blaster mounted upon Onager Dunecrawlers. The burning white spheres that shoot out from Phosphor Weapons cling tenaciously to their targets, sizzling wildly as they melt into flesh or burrow through armour and exoskeleton alike. More often than not, it is these luminagenic orbs that deal the death blow. Even if a target proves tough enough to survive the burning pain, the phosphorescent glow these spheres exude can guide an ally's volley to strike the same target.

On the tabletop, generally speaking. Phosphor Weapons have the same strength and AP of a Heavy Bolter, but only single shot. Any wounds or hull points caused on a target will light them up like a christmas tree and reduce their cover save for the rest of the turn. Also makes them easier to charge at by letting you re-roll the charge range. Note: The phosphor pistol and serpenta hit harder and pierce armor better than bolters, in addition to lighting targets up. Remind me why the Imperium dropped these again. 8th edition Codex Adeptus Mechanicus says the Tech-Priest Veriliad destroyed the only STC for Phosphex and Phosphor weaponry. Naturally, they tied him to a stake and shot him to death with a Phosphor Serpenta, which is now a Relic.

Variants

There are a few variants of these Phosphor Weapons.

Phosphor Blast Pistol

Phosphor Blast Pistol

A pistol form of Phosphor Weapon that can be used as a sidearm by Skitarii Ranger/Vanguard Alphas, or Sicarian Ruststalker/Infiltrator Alphas. When you want to set someone alight but do no want to risk injury on yourself. On the tabletop, these are the Nerf Guns from hell. Pistol format phosphor weapon. It's shorter-ranged than the Serpenta, but you can take it in an infantry squad. No actual blasts, sadly.

Phosphor Serpenta

Phosphor Serpenta

A medium range pistol Phosphor Weapon used by the Sydonian Dragoons for illuminating their targets so they can easily find and skewer their enemies like a shish-kebab. More fancy looking then the Blast Pistol in both looks and function (And dare I say...class?). On tabletop it is 18" Assault 1, essentially your squad's markerlight when you want to follow up the attack with more shooting and probably a charge later.

Phosphor Blaster

Phosphor Blaster

A rapid firing Phosphor Weapon that is used as a secondary weapon by Kataphron Destroyers. On the tabletop, it is overall similar to that of the Phosphor Serpenta but it is now 24" and Rapid Fire. You know, just so you want to punish whoever is unfortunate enough to face it. Because the Serpenta version isn't already powerful enough and you just want to be sure that target is dead.

Heavy Phosphor Blaster

Heavy Phosphor Blaster

A large type of Phosphor Weapon that is deployed on Onager Dunecrawlers and Kataphron Battle Servitors. If you thought the regular Phosphor Blaster was bad, this thing takes the proverbial cake. On the tabletop it is a nice toy for the Onager at 15pts. 36" Twin Linked Heavy 3 S6 AP3 for fucking Marines over, and it pseudo-markerlights the unit. Probably the best Luminagen gun.