HK-36
The Iron Lord Protector (Neutral Good)
Image Source: Original image found on Ratchet and Clank wiki, link here, it was then modified by me
Intent: To create a new, exotic melee weapon with anti-lightsaber and anti-shield capabilities
Development Thread: Based on the previous Whips of Rae, more can be developed if required
Manufacturer: Abregado-Rae Guild of Hammers
Model: Gados Electro-Flails
Affiliation: ARGH, Firemane, The Galactic Alliance
Modularity: None
Production: Minor
Material: Gados Electrite Hilt and Electrode and Echani Graphite Wires and Filaments, Bronzium details
Classification: Flail
Size: Two-and-a-Half (one handed with capacity for two handed strikes)
Length: 1.10 meters (Based on real-life equivalent)
Weight: 1 kg (Based on real-life equivalent)
Special Features: Resistant to kinetic and energy weapons, including lightsabers, because of the materials it was constructed from,
Magnetic hardpoint at the tip of the hilt can be activated to anchor the electrode for easier storage,
Electroshocking systems lining Electrite filaments, much like in the Whips or Rae, and the cylindrical electrode at the end, these can be set to anything in between stun and enough to rip a naked limb off
Shiny, golden, pretty
Strengths:
- Effective against mechanical and electronic targets due to the electroshocking systems
- The hilt can be used as a baton to deliver blunt damage, the electrode can cause both electric and blunt trauma, the cables connecting them together can deliver electric damage
- Blunt trauma is not usually blocked by mundane armor, therefore this could function as an anti-armored personnel weaponry
- The cable can wrap around hard surfaces providing resistance and swing the electrode around them to hit the target behind, for example wrapping around a lightsaber's blade or the rim of a shield
- Magnetic hard point allows the electrode to be anchored against the tip of the hilt for ease of storage
- Shiny, golden, pretty
- The swinging, flaying electrode can be often unpredictable
- The swinging, flailing electrode can be often unpredictable, the user requires an extensive, proper training to get used to the trajectories of the swings, as was the case with the Whips of Rae, otherwise the user risks of flailing themselves by accident
- Because of how exotic they are, when compared to the usual swords or lightsabers seen on the battlefield, it is difficult to find a tutor proficient in the weapon, therefore increasing the amount of time one would need to dedicate to learn how to proficiently wield this without cracking their own skull or zapping themselves.
- Physics dependent, if used in an environment where the electrode cannot pick up on velocity, then the weapon is of little use,
- Electroshocking systems cannot be activated while the magnetic hardpoints are activated, otherwise the two systems would interfere with each other, as such, when used in environments where the electrode cannot be properly swung on its cables, one cannot simply anchor it to the hilt through the hardpoints and use it as a mace without sacrifice the potent electric output.
- The weapon is not easily concealed, making it rather cumbersome in more subtle or stealthier situations.
- The electrode could be potentially blocked, or manipulated through means like telekinesis, to alter or fully change its path and be deflected back at the one wielding the flail.
- EMPs or Ionic weaponry can potentially interfere with the electonic systems of this weapon, turning it into a normal flail until re-activated
The idea for the creation of Electro-Flails came from HK studying ancient weaponry excavated on Abregado-Rae by his Gados subjects. During one of their digs he sponsored to promote the restoration of true Gados heritage, the archeologists were able to recover a set of weapons made entirely from electrum, among them was a flail, a simple shaft with a chain attached to it, and on its end a spiked ball. The droid took it in his hands, twirled it over his head, broke a chair, decided it was fun, and set out to make an updated version of it.
To sketch out the technical details he took the plans for Whips of Rae he already designed using Echani Graphite filaments laced with electro-shocking systems. The hilt was then enlarged, making it heftier, viable for parries and blocks, and the cables were shortened, to make the already unpredictable weapon easier to control. Large cylindrical electrode was then designed, based on the previous capsule plans, and attached to the Graphite cables. The hilt and the electrode head were then made from the Gados Electrite in honor of the golden weapon that spawned the idea, giving the Electro-Flail a unique golden appearance, and it was named after the Gados.
Just like the Whips of Rae, the Electro-Flails' main feature are their electro-shocking systems, as the name suggests. The systems line the cables and the cylindrical electrode head, causing the weapon to glow with an eery, electric blue light when activated, as well as emitting a buzzing noise like an old electric outlet. These systems can be adjusted to deliver shocks from enough to stun grown person to start frying and ripping any organic matter that comes in contact with it. However, these systems seldom have such effect on inorganic materials, so while this weapon could easily disable a vehicle or a droid, as well as other machines, vulnerable to external electric strikes, it has a very hard time piercing through armor. Instead this weapon relies on the blunt trauma it can deliver to break the user beneath their armored plates before breaking the armor itself, of course striking at areas like the head works better in achieving this goal, and the electrode-head is heavy enough to be swung with enough speed, but how efficient this weapon is at such a task in the end relies on the strength of the person swinging it.
As before, the weapon comes with build-in magnetic hardpoints, this time to simply anchor the electrode head to the shaft so that it can be carried on a belt without it swinging around. The electric systems cannot be active at the same time as the magnetic anchors, they would interfere with each other, and the weapon is not capable of tricks like exploding a lightsaber, but it sure does make holstering it much easier and convenient.
The greatest advantage of this weapon, however, is just how unpredictable it is. The electrode head can swung wildly, literally flailing it around, to strike the opponent from an unexpected trajectory. The cables can wrap around a sword or lightsaber of a foe trying to block the flail, and allow the electrode to strike at their head, neck, or shoulder, delivering both blunt and electric trauma. It can arc over the edge of a shield or anything blocking direct path to still find its target, or simply wrap around someone, delivering damage both from the electrode-head and the charged cable.
The biggest disadvantages of this armament is, just like with the Whips, both how unpredictable and exotic it is. Sure, not many Force users expect to face a flail going up against their saber, a lot of them would probably be caught off guard and not know how to deal with it, but at the same time, not a lot of people know how to use them without hitting themselves in the head. Whoever would want to wield this weapon properly needs to dedicate their time to it, learn the trajectories of the electrode as its swung, how to transfer each motion with its swing, how to deal with it when it finds its mark and possibly bounces back. That's another, it can always bounce back, one good parry and you have that electrode flying back at your face, somebody uses Force push, and it's cracking your own chestplate. Those are all real dangers someone wielding this needs to look out for and keep in mind, it's a weapon that can easily bring pain on the battlefield, but at the same it can just as easily be abused against its user. It has high risks and high rewards.
Also, because of the amount of electric systems that went into making this weapon, it is rather susceptible to EMP and ionic technology, or other electric weapons that could disable it. It could still be used in combat, it would just be a bit more expensive and fancier than a normal flail.
Primary Source: Whips of Rae, my own work
