A P E X
P U L S E
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: A Chaos-friendly variant of the Ion Pulse Cannon
- Image Source: Star Wars - Clone Wars
- Canon Link: Ion Pulse Cannon
- Restricted Missions: N/A
- Primary Source: N/A
- Manufacturer: Confederacy of Independent Systems
- Model: SB-01 Ion Pulse Cannon
- Affiliation: Confederacy of Independent Systems
- Modularity: No
- Production: Semi-Unique
- Material: Standard Turbolaser Components
- Classification: Ion Cannon
- Size: Ship-Mounted
- Length: 200 meters
- Weight: 22,000 kilograms
- Ammunition Type: Reactor Energy
- Ammunition Capacity: Unlimited
- Effective Range: Standard Turbolaser Range
- Rate of Fire: .12 RPM (5 minute cooldown)
- Fires a ring-shaped pulse that deals significant ion damage.
- Ion Pulse Cannon: The burst emitted from the SB-01 Ion Pulse Cannon, within its optimal range, impacts shields with the same power as an Ion Torpedo. The distinguishing feature of the Cannon is that it spreads this damage over a wide radius, as opposed to a single point.
- Power Constraints: As a 200 meter cannon, the SB-01 Ion Pulse Cannon demands an extraordinary sum of power to operate. This demand is so great that only true Battlecruisers (2,500 meters) can even handle operating one of these machines. Furthermore, power must be diverted from other systems in order to function; with the most typical being shields and/or sublight engines. Essentially, when charging, firing, and for several moments afterwards, the average Battlecruiser will sufered noticeably lessened shield integrity and the a noticeable drop in sublight speed.
- Slow: Although capable of dealing a large sum of damage to shields, the SB-01 Ion Pulse Cannon is defined by a sluggish pace. To begin, the Cannon takes a large span of time to fully charge (3 post minimum). Then, upon firing, the burst travels at a pace that makes combating smaller vessels a near impossibility. Starfighters, Gunships, Corvettes, and even agile Frigates can often maneuver out of the weapon's path with minimal issue. Lastly, it takes several moments for the Cannon to be recharged and ready to fire agan; essentially relegating it to a role of anti-Star Destroyer combat (4 post minimum).
- Diminishing Return: Although, within the optimal range (approx close-to-medium) the SB-01 Ion Pulse Cannon delivers a blow of similar might to an ion torpedo, the weapon does experience a significant drop in efficiency with distance. As the burst travels, the diameter gradually increases to a maximum radius of 1.5x the size of the Cannon (300 meters). However, while a glance at the Burst at this size would be terrifying, the effectiveness at its peak would be noticeably less than a standard ion cannon.
The SB-01 Ion Pulse Cannon was born as the Confederacy of Independent Systems' attempt at replicating the past.
As a freshly reconstituted nation, the Confederacy returned in a vulnerable position astrographically. With a militant nation to the east and a super power to the west, the nation immediately began to take strides in developing the means to defend itself. Chief amongst these efforts is the SB-01 Ion Pulse Cannon, a weapon in the image of the Malevolence. Simply glancing at the records regarding the fabled warship inspired the Confederacy's engineers in creating an extraordinary weapon. However.
The reconstituted Confederacy did not have the means or resources to create a superweapon capable of rendering a Venator inert. Yet, this did not deter the engineers from proceeding with their designs. The end result was a lesser variant of the Ion Pulse Cannon that could impact shields with the force of an ion torpedo. However, as opposed to striking a single point like a torpedo, the pulse produced would deal this damage over a large radius. And, as is the case with a successful ion torpedo strike, the Pulse has the capacity of potentially disabling shields or significantly damaging unshielded electronics. However, it is to be noted that it will take multiple impacts to reach full, shield-disabling damage when facing capital grade shields.
For the most part, the SB-01 Ion Pulse Cannon is regarded as an anti-Star Destroyer armament. It cannot defeat its foes in a single blow like it's ancestory but it can act as a shield between the Confederacy and her adversaries. All in all, the SB-01 is but the opening chapter in the tale of Confederate Rebirth and Survival.
DISCLAIMER
This is not the canon Ion Pulse Cannon - not by a long shot. This will never, and I mean never, be used to attempt a one-shot of an enemy vessel. Opponents always dictate how much damage they take - full stop.
