Pulse Rifle
The Pulse Rifle is the standard weaponry of Tau Fire Warriors and their Shas'ui leaders.
Overview
While about the size of an Imperial Lasgun, the Pulse Rifle is far more powerful. It fires a plasma pulse, which is generated when an induction field accelerates a particle which breaks down as it leaves the barrel.[1][2] The Pulse Rifle can penetrate through 300mm of brick,[9] having enough stopping power to put down an unarmored Astartes. Yet it lacks in penetrative power,[10a] unable to overcome the protective value of Power Armour, its fire being absorbed by the layers beneath the armour's outer shell.[10b] The small circular device near the end of the barrel[3] - Gun Stabiliser[7] - is a housing for a gyroscope that is part of an aim-stabilization system that allows the rifle to remain steady on target and angled for optimal firing at distance, regardless of factors like shaking hands.[3] This helps to give pulse rifles a greater effective range than many other infantry weapons. The powercell from which it draws energy must be replaced after fifty shots.[5] Pulse Rifles can also be used by Kroot Shapers.[4]
The Pulse Rifle was developed early in the Tau Empire's history, shortly after the end of the Mont'au. It was introduced during the Campaign of Scouring against the Orks, where it proved essential to victory.[6]
Longshot Pulse Rifle
The Longshot Pulse Rifle is a sniper variant of the standard Pulse Rifle.[1]
See Also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Tau Empire (6th Edition), pg. 66
- 2: Codex: Tau Empire (4th Edition), pg. 29
- 3: Rogue Trader: Into the Storm, pg. 121
- 4: Games Workshop Official Site
- 5: Imperial Armour Volume Three - The Taros Campaign pg.80
- 6: Codex: Tau Empire (7th Edition) - Relentless Expansion
- 7: White Dwarf 315 (UK), pg. 52
- 8: Codex: Tau Empire (8th Edition) pg.57
- 9: Blood Gorgons (Novel), Chapter Five
- 10: Broken Sword (Novella) — Damocles (Anthology):
| Tau Empire Weapons | |
|---|---|
| One-Handed Weapons | Honour Blade • Pulse Pistol |
| Two-Handed Weapons | Pulse Rifle • Pulse Carbine • Pulse Blaster • Rail Rifle • Ion Rifle • Longshot Pulse Rifle • Equalisers |
| Battlesuit Weapons | Airbursting Fragmentation Projector • Burst Cannon • Cyclic Ion Blaster • Cyclic Ion Raker • Flamer • Fusion Blaster • Fusion Cannon • Fusion Cascade • Fusion Collider • Fusion Eradicator • Ion Accelerator • Missile Pod • Phased Ion Gun • Plasma Rifle • Pulse Submunitions Rifle • Heavy Rail Rifle • Heavy Burst Cannon • Heavy Rail Cannon • Pulse Submunition Cannon • EMP Discharge Cannon • Pulse Ordnance Multi-Driver • Pulse Driver Cannon • Pulse ARC Cannon • Destroyer Missiles • Cluster Rockets • Fragmentation Cluster Shell Launcher |
| Other Vehicle Weapons | Ion Cannon • Plasma Bomb • Railgun • Seeker Missile • Smart Missile System • Quad Ion Turret |
| Auxiliary Weapons | Kroot Weapons • Neutron Weapons |
| Grenades | EMP Grenade • Photon Grenade |
| Kroot Weapons | |
|---|---|
| Melee Weapons | Bladestave • Hunting Blade • Prey-hook • Tri-blade • Hunting Javelin • Explosive Javelin |
| Infantry Weapons | Accelerator Bow • Dart-bow • Kroot Pistol • Krootbow • Kroot Gun • Kroot Rifle • Kroot Long Gun • Kroot Hunting Rifle • Kroot Scattergun • Tanglebomb Launcher • Dvorgite Skinner • Londaxii Tribalest • Pulse Pistol • Pulse Carbine • Pulse Rifle |
| Heavy Weapons | Kroot Bolt Thrower • Kroot Gun • Repeater Cannon • Tanglecannon |