Booma/Legends

"Gotta energy balls, fly outta slings and splat electricity and goo. Bombard stuff. Gungans no ever give up to maccaneks or anyone!"

- Jar Jar Binks to Padmé Amidala on Coruscant

The booma, also known as a boomer or energy ball, was a weapon used by members of the Gungan Grand Army on the planet Naboo.

Technology


The booma consisted of blue plasma from the depths of Naboo's oceanic core, contained in a shell that would burst if thrown hard enough. It was very effective against droids and vehicles because the plasma was electrified, and seemed to have the properties of an EMP weapon. It could also burn biological material and leave a trail of plasma "goo" upon impact.

Boomer launchers
Boomas were made in many different sizes. Small boomas were used by Gungan infantry and cavalry, thrown either by bare hands or with the use of weapons such as the cesta or atlatl. Larger ones were launched from falumpaset-towed catapults and launchers attached to the backs of domesticated animals such as the fambaa or lerraa.

History


Prior to the Invasion of Naboo, Gungans had enjoyed many centuries of peace, and so their weaponry had become more ornamental than practical, though occasionally it was used for security purposes. The Grand Army was sometimes called upon to deter sea creatures from wandering too close to their settlements. During the Battle of Grassy Plains, booma weaponry was used extensively to combat the battle droids of the Trade Federation. General Jar Jar Binks' clumsy misuse of a booma during that battle inadvertently took down the pilot of an Armored Assault Tank, causing the vehicle to crash. He also later let loose an entire catapult’s worth of boomas during the Gungan retreat, covering the army in part but also resulting in a large amount of damage to the opposition.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace novel
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace comic
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace junior novel
 * Star Wars: Battlefront
 * Star Wars: Battlefront 2
 * Star Wars Republic: The New Face of War
 * Star Wars: The Force Unleashed