Slugthrower/Legends



Slugthrowers were weapons that used an explosive chemical to launch a solid projectile (a "slug") at a high velocity. Blasters were fashioned in style and function after these more primitive weapons.

Features
A typical pistol had a effective range range of 60 meters, while on a rifle this was extended to 300 meters. Sniper rifles had been known to pick off enemies from over a kilometer. Their firing rates varied immensely; some were single shot weapons, while others fired thousands of slugs a minute. Slugs also varied, some were made of metal, some ceramic or even hardened plastics. Ammunition for slugthrowers was often rarer than blaster gas however and thus more expensive. Varying calibers sometimes compounded this problem.

Slugthrowers were considered by many to be a primitive, inferior technology when compared against blasters, and were often used by those without access to better weapons, such as primitive cultures. However, they remained popular for the unique advantages they offered. For example, during the days of the Galactic Republic, mercenaries fearing an intervention by Jedi Knights used rapid-fire slugthrowers that were impossible to deflect unlike blaster bolts. They were also popular amongst forces looking to take advantage of the explosive nature for intimidation or to ensure destruction. Whatever they lacked in functionality, they regained in stealth. A slugthrower could be silenced, while a blaster could not. Also, blaster rounds were almost always visible. Although this could be seen as an advantage, non-tracer rounds used by slugthrowers added an extra element of confusion and surprise, not allowing the target to see where the shots are coming from. Furthermore, slugthrowers were generally cheap and easily repaired. In addition, the projectile itself could have unique properties. Explosive, incendiary and mercy slugs each had different effects. Explosive ammo dealt additional kinetic damage to a target. Incendiary ammunition could cause burns that were as dangerous as the projectile, or set items on fire. Mercy bullets made of rubber or semi-rigid plastic gave a way to set a slugthrower on 'stun'. Of course, this meant carrying extra ammo or magazines - and special rounds are costlier and rarer than conventional slugs. Bounty hunters that carried slugthrowers tended to make extensive use of special ammo in their work. Some mix rounds in the same magazine, starting with mercy bullets and working their way up to more lethal types in case the less deadly projectiles fail to stop their opponent.

As blaster usage increased, the popularity of personal armor declined - while extremely effective against most slugs, even modern armor could not stop a direct blaster hit, and as a result the wearing of bulky or cumbersome protective gear seemed to offer little benefit. Thus, the blaster arguably increased the usefulness of the slugthrower.

Czerka was a large manufacturer of slugthrowers, throughout its history. Other manufacturers included Merr-Sonn and Oriolanis.

In the Summertime War before and during the Clone Wars the Korunnai natives of Haruun Kal used slugthrowers because blasters became ineffective in the Haruun Kal jungle.

Tatooine's Tusken Raiders used the Tusken Cycler as a long range weapon when they were not close enough to use gaderfii. Most Slugthrower projectiles could penetrate a Stormtrooper's helmet lens or vulnerable neck area, so when stormtroopers arrived on Tatooine, Tuskens often used them as target practice.

Several Rebel detachments carried slugthrowers, including Rebel SpecForce units, who preferred them because of the ability to silence them. The Dressellians carried them at the Battle of Endor.

Aurra Sing famously carried a slugthrower along with her blaster pistols and lightsaber.

Lando Calrissian also was known to carry a slugthrower pistol as of 19 years ABY and used it to distract Bastion security during the Caamas Document Crisis while helping Han Solo.

Weapons

 * 6-2Aug2 hunting rifle
 * Adventurer (rifle)
 * Blackout
 * Concussion bow
 * Dressellian projectile rifle
 * Imperial Heavy Repeater
 * KiSteer 1284 projectile rifle
 * Mandalorian Ripper
 * Oriolanis Striker Projectile Pistol
 * Outland rifle
 * Tusken Cycler Rifle
 * Wookiee Slug-Thrower

Behind the scenes

 * Slugthrowers are, of course, firearms.

The term "slugthrower" is also used in other works of science fiction (such as Farscape) as a (usually somewhat pejorative) term for guns; the term is often, but not always, applied specifically to "primitive" gas-driven guns (using either compressed gas or chemical explosives) rather than electromagnetically-driven or other such "advanced" projectile weapons

Appearances

 * Tales of the Jedi: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Shatterpoint
 * Star Wars: Clone Wars
 * MedStar I: Battle Surgeons
 * MedStar II: Jedi Healer
 * Star Wars: Republic Commando
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight
 * Han Solo and the Lost Legacy
 * Star Wars: Galaxies
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Tatooine Ghost
 * Dark Force Rising
 * Dark Empire II
 * Children of the Jedi
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy