Electromagnetic Firearm Table

Electromagnetic weapons use linear electric motors to fling their projectiles, which act as the armature of the motor. They do away with chemical propellants, making them safer, cleaner, more reliable, more efficient, with fewer moving parts and lighter magazines. However, since all their propulsive force comes from electricity, they need an electric power source to work. Electromagnetic guns produce an electromagnetic pulse when fired which can be detected with specialized sensors.

The energy used to launch the projectile can be turned down, causing less penetration but also draining less energy from the battery. This can also be used to launch projectiles at subsonic speeds, which will eliminate the crack produced by supersonic bullets and may make the weapon nearly silent.

Electromagnetic guns typically work in one of two ways:

Railguns: Railguns are linear homopolar electric motors. The projectile shorts two conductive rails running down the length of the barrel. Current running down the rails creates a magnetic field which pushes the current running through the projectile. Practical railguns have the current strike an arc across a sacrificial propellant behind the projectile, and the resulting plasma pushes the projectile down the barrel. Railguns do produce a significant muzzle blast from the escaping plasma, as well as the crack from the hypersonic projectile. The first practical electromagnetic weapons are railguns, appearing at late TL 8. TL 9 electromagnetic guns are assumed to be railguns.
Coilguns: Coilguns are linear asynchronous electric motors. They use a magnetic pulse to accelerate a projectile encased in a highly conductive sabot via induction. The projectile will produce a sharp snap if it moves faster than the speed of sound, but there is no muzzle blast of expanding gases like you get with conventional firearms, and hence much less firing noise. Coilguns are also called Gauss guns or induction guns. Unless stated otherwise, assume TL 10+ weapons listed here are coilguns.

Needle Guns

Needle guns, or needlers, launch long, sub-caliber darts stabilized by fins to keep them flying straight. This type of ammunition is called a flechette. Typically they are made out of hardened steel with tungsten carbide caps for superior penetration of hard armor. Because of their high sectional density, these flechettes can be highly penetrating. The fins which keep the flechette stable will also keep them flying straight when they go through meat. When this happens, they leave only small holes, which are not nearly as lethal as a normal bullet. To get around this, the flechettes are typically designed to have their fins strip off when they enter a target, and are weighted with tungsten to make them back-end heavy. This leaves the flechette unstable so that it tumbles and produces a larger wound channel. The blow-through limit is doubled for flechettes of this design; DR is unaffected.

Emag Payload Launchers

Large caliber electromagnetic weapons are an effective way of launching anything that can fit into the sabot. This can include solid slugs, shot, bundles of flechettes, or specialized ammunition such as explosives or chemical agents.

GUNS (PISTOL) (DX-4, or most other Guns at -2)

TL Weapon Damage Type Acc Range Speed Weight ROF Shots Min ST Bulk Rcl Cost LC Notes

10 Mini-Needler, 3mmG 18 pi-3 1 400[12,9,6,3]/4000 500 0.16/0.05 3 25(3) 5 -1 2 $110 3
subsonic 13 pi-3 300[10,7,5,3]/3000 300 4 2
10 Needle Pistol, 3mmG 22(1.5) pi-3 2 500[18,11,7,3.5]/5000 700 0.9/0.32 12 100(3) 7 -1 2 $550 2
subsonic 13 pi-3 300[10,7,5,3]/3000 300 6 2
10 Needle Pistol, 4mmG 30(1.5) pi-2.5 2 600[20,15,9,5]/6000 700 0.9/0.3 3 40(3) 8 -1 2 $600 3
subsonic 18 pi-2.5 400[12,9,6,3.5]/3500 300 7 2
10 Needle Pistol, 4.5mmG 32(1.5) pi-2 2 700[25,18,10,5]/6000 700 1.3/0.4 3 40(3) 9 -2 2 $900 3
subsonic 20 pi-2 500[15,11,7,4]/4000 300 8 2
10 Heavy Needle Pistol, 5mmG 38(2) pi-1.5 2 800[30,20,12,6]/7000 800 1.8/0.45 3 30(3) 10 -2 2 $1.3k 3
subsonic 22 pi-1.5 500[18,12,8,5]/4000 300 9 2
10 Emag Pistol, 10mmGS 10 pi+0.5 2 60[7,5,3,2]/900 350 0.7/0.15 3 10(3) 9 -1 3 $550 3
Payload 5.5 pi+0.5 35[4,3,1.8,1.1]/600 400 8 2
4mm Flechettes 18 pi-2.5 400[15,10,6,4]/4000 350 ×4 9 3
3mm Flechettes 14 pi-3 300[11,7,5,3]/3000 350 ×10 9 3
10 Emag Pistol, 15mmGS 7 pi+1.5 2 50[5,3.5,2.5,1.5]/700 300 1/0.25 3 10(3) 10 -1 4 $700 3
Payload 4.5 pi+1.5 30[3.5,2.5,1.5,0.9]/500 400 9 3
4mm Flechettes 16 pi-2.5 400[12,9,6,3.5]/3500 300 ×7 10 4
3mm Flechettes 13 pi-3 300[10,7,4,2.5]/3000 300 ×17 10 4

GUNS (LONGARM) (DX-4, or most other Guns at -2)
SUB-MACHINE GUNS

TL Weapon Damage Type Acc Range Speed Weight ROF Shots Min ST Bulk Rcl Cost LC Notes

10 Needle Machine Pistol, 3mmG 25(2) pi-3 2,3 500[18,12,7,3.5]/5000 900 1.6/0.4 20 100(3) 6,5† -3,-4 2 $1.2k 2
subsonic 13 pi-3 300[10,7,5,3]/3000 300 6,5† 2
10 Needle PDW, 4mmG 35(2) pi-2.5 2,3 700[25,18,10,5]/6000 1000 3/0.9 10 80(3) 9,7† -3,-4 2 $2k 2
subsonic 18 pi-2.5 400[12,9,6,3.5]/3500 300 8,7† 2

GUNS (LONGARM) (DX-4, or most other Guns at -2)
PAYLOAD GUNS

TL Weapon Damage Type Acc Range Speed Weight ROF Shots Min ST Bulk Rcl Cost LC Notes

10 Emag Shotgun, 10mmGS 15 pi+0.5 3 90[12,8,5,2.5]/1200 800 3.2/0.5 3 15(3) 9† -5 3 $2.8k 3
Payload 10 pi+0.5 60[7,5,3,1.2]/800 1100 8† 3
000 Buckshot 8 pi+0.5 50[6,4,2.5,1.2]/700 800 ×3 9† 5
4mm Flechettes 30(2) pi-2.5 600[25,15,9,5]/6000 800 ×4 9† 3
3mm Flechettes 22(2) pi-3 500[18,12,7,3.5]/5000 800 ×10 9† 3
10 Emag Shotgun, 18.5mmGS 13 pi+2 3 80[9,7,4,2]/1100 500 4.5/0.6 3 10(3) 10† -5 5 $3.8k 3
Payload 7 pi+2 40[5,3.5,2,1]/600 800 10† 4
00 Buckshot 6 pi+0 25[4,3,1.8,1]/400 600 ×9 10† 5
4mm Flechettes 28(1.5) pi-2.5 600[20,15,8,4]/5000 600 ×11 10† 5
3mm Flechettes 20(1.5) pi-3 400[15,10,6,3.5]/4000 600 ×26 10† 5
10 EMGL, 40mmG 4.5 pi+4 4+2 40[3.5,2.5,1.8,1.1]/600 180 2.5/0.5 3 3(3) 10† -4 7 $2k 3
follow-up 28[5] cr+4 ex
10 Underbarrel EMGL, 25mmG 4 pi+3 3 30[3,2,1.5,0.9]/500 250 1/0.14 3 3(3) 10† -5 3 $800 3
follow-up 18[3.5] cr+3 ex

GUNS (LONGARM) (DX-4, or most other Guns at -2)
RIFLES

TL Weapon Damage Type Acc Range Speed Weight ROF Shots Min ST Bulk Rcl Cost LC Notes

9 Light Railgun, 3mmG 28(2) pi-3 5+2 600[20(1.5),15,8,3.5]/5000 1200 4/1.8 12 100(3) 8† -5 2 $2.2k 2
subsonic 13 pi-3 300[10,7,5,3]/3000 300 7† 2
9 Portable Railgun, 5mmG 45(2) pi-1.5 5+3 900[35(1.5),25,12,6]/8000 1200 8/2 3 25(3) 11† -6 2 $13k 3
subsonic 22 pi-1.5 500[18,12,8,5]/4000 300 10† 2
10 Needle Carbine, 3mmG 28(2) pi-3 4+2 600[20(1.5),15,8,3.5]/5000 1200 2.8/0.65 20 100(3) 7† -4 2 $2k 2
subsonic 13 pi-3 300[10,7,5,3]/3000 300 6† 2
10 Needle Assault Rifle, 4mmG 38(2) pi-2.5 5+2 700[25(1.5),18,11,5]/7000 1200 4.5/0.9 12 60(3) 8† -5 2 $4.5k 2
subsonic 18 pi-2.5 400[12,9,6,3.5]/3500 300 8† 2
10 Needle Assault Rifle, 4.5mmG 40(2) pi-2 5+2 800[30(1.5),20,12,5]/8000 1200 5.5/1.1 10 50(3) 9† -5 2 $5k 2
subsonic 20 pi-2 500[15,11,7,4]/4000 300 9† 2
10 Needle Hunting Rifle, 5mmG 45(2) pi-1.5 5+2 900[35(1.5),25,12,6]/8000 1200 4.5/1.2 3 40(3) 9† -5 2 $4k 3
subsonic 22 pi-1.5 500[18,12,8,5]/4000 300 8† 2
10 Sniper Needle Rifle, 6mmG 55(2) pi-1 6+3 1100[40(1.5),30,15,7]/10000 1200 7.5/1.5 3 30(3) 11† -6 3 $13k 3
subsonic 28 pi-1 600[20,15,9,6]/5000 300 10† 2
10 Anti-Materiel Needle Rifle, 7mmG 65(2) pi-1 6+3 1200[50(1.5),35,18,8]/11000 1200 11/2 3 25(3) 14† -6 3 $16k 3
subsonic 32 pi-1 700[25,15,11]/5000 300 12† 2

GUNS (LONGARM) (DX-4, or most other Guns at -2)
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS

TL Weapon Damage Type Acc Range Speed Weight ROF Shots Min ST Bulk Rcl Cost LC Notes

10 Needle LSW, 4mmG 38(2) pi-2.5 5+2 700[25(1.5),18,11,5]/7000 1200 10/4.5 20 300(3) 11(5B)† -6 2 $6k 1
subsonic 18 pi-2.5 400[12,9,6,3.5]/3500 300 11(4B)† 2
10 Needle LSW, 4.5mmG 40(2) pi-2 5+2 800[30(1.5),20,12,5]/8000 1200 13/6.5 20 300(3) 13(6B)† -6 2 $8k 1
subsonic 20 pi-2 500[15,11,7,4]/4000 300 13(5B)† 2
10 Auto EMGL, 40mmG 9 pi+4 5+3 60[7,5,3,1.8]/800 400 15/4.5 4 20(3) 20M -7 2 $11k 1
follow-up 28[5] cr+4 ex

GUNNER (MACHINE GUN) (DX-4, or other Gunner at -2)

TL Weapon Damage Type Acc Range Speed Weight ROF Shots Min ST Bulk Rcl Cost LC Notes

9 Auto-Railgun, 10mmG 90(2) pi+0 6+3 1800[70(1.5),50,25]/15000 1200 200/130 10 200(3) 56M -10 2 $80k 1
subsonic 45 pi+0 1000[35,25,15]/7000 300 55M 2
10 Needle HMG, 7mmG 65(2) pi-1 6+2 1200[50(1.5),35,18,8]/11000 1200 40/16 20 200(3) 27M -8 2 $28k 1
subsonic 32 pi-1 700[25,15,11]/5000 300 26M 2
10 Needle Minigun, 4.5mmG 40(2) pi-2 6+2 800[30(1.5),20,12,5]/8000 1200 50/22 100 1000(3) 28M -8 2 $30k 1
subsonic 20 pi-2 500[15,11,7,4]/4000 300 28M 2
10 EM Auto-Cannon, 10mmG 90(2) pi+0 6+3 1800[70(1.5),50,25]/15000 1200 120/45 20 200(3) 45M -9 2 $80k 1
subsonic 45 pi+0 1000[35,25,15]/7000 300 43M 2
10 EM VROF Cannon, 10mmG 90(2) pi+0 6+3 1800[70(1.5),50,25]/15000 1200 550/220 100 1000(3) 90M -11 2 $320k 1
subsonic 45 pi+0 1000[35,25,15]/7000 300 89M 2
10 EM Auto-Cannon, 15mmG 140(2) pi+1 6+3 3000[100(1.5),70,40]/20000 1200 400/160 20 200(3) 80M -11 2 $250k 1
subsonic 65 pi+1 1500[50,35]/8000 300 78M 2

GUNNER (CANNON) (DX-4, or other Gunner at -2)

TL Weapon Damage Type Acc Range Speed Weight ROF Shots Min ST Bulk Rcl Cost LC Notes

9 Railgun, 20mmG 180(2) pi+2 6+3 3500[150(1.5),90,50]/25000 1200 400/100 3 20(3) 82M -11 2 $320k 1
subsonic 90 pi+2 2000[70,50]/9000 300 80M 2
9 Railgun, 30mmG 280(2) pi+3 6+3 6000[200(1.5),150,80]/35000 1200 1400/350 3 20(3) 148M -12 2 $1.1M 1
subsonic 130 pi+3 3000[100]/10000 300 144M 2
10 EM Cannon, 20mmG 180(2) pi+2 6+3 3500[150(1.5),90,50]/25000 1200 220/38 3 20(3) 64M -10 2 $200k 1
subsonic 90 pi+2 2000[70,50]/9000 300 61M 2
10 EM Cannon, 30mmG 280(2) pi+3 6+3 6000[200(1.5),150,80]/35000 1200 800/130 3 20(3) 114M -12 2 $650k 1
subsonic 130 pi+3 3000[100]/10000 300 109M 2

ARTILLERY (CANNON) (IQ-5)

TL Weapon Damage Type Acc Range Speed Weight ROF Shots Min ST Bulk Rcl Cost LC Notes

10 EM Mortar, 64mmG 12 pi+5.5 4+3 200[9,6,4,2]/2500 400 28/3 1 4(3) 27M -7 2 $25k 1
follow-up 40[7.5] cr+5 ex
10 EM Artillery, 100mmG 70 pi+6.5 6+3 1500[50,35,20]/11000 800 1000/75 1 5(3) 134M -12 2 $1000k 1
follow-up 90[16] cr+7 ex

Custom Cartridge Ballistics

Description:

Bullet Mass:

Bullet Caliber:

Bullet Speed:

Bullet Aspect Ratio: (typically 1.5 for TL 5+ pistols and TL 5 rifles, 3 for TL6+ rifles)

Spherical; Material: (ignores mass entry, calculates mass based on size and material)

Gun Mass:

Gun Configuration:

Pistol

Longarm (rifle or shotgun)

Bipod-supported longarm

Tripod-supported longarm

Mounted

Under the hood: the physics of projectile ballistics

Back to Equipment

TL	Weapon	Damage	Type	Acc	Range	Speed	Weight	ROF	Shots	Min ST	Bulk	Rcl	Cost	LC	Notes
10	Mini-Needler, 3mmG	18	pi-3	1	400[12,9,6,3]/4000	500	0.16/0.05	3	25(3)	5	-1	2	$110	3
	subsonic	13	pi-3		300[10,7,5,3]/3000	300				4		2
10	Needle Pistol, 3mmG	22(1.5)	pi-3	2	500[18,11,7,3.5]/5000	700	0.9/0.32	12	100(3)	7	-1	2	$550	2
	subsonic	13	pi-3		300[10,7,5,3]/3000	300				6		2
10	Needle Pistol, 4mmG	30(1.5)	pi-2.5	2	600[20,15,9,5]/6000	700	0.9/0.3	3	40(3)	8	-1	2	$600	3
	subsonic	18	pi-2.5		400[12,9,6,3.5]/3500	300				7		2
10	Needle Pistol, 4.5mmG	32(1.5)	pi-2	2	700[25,18,10,5]/6000	700	1.3/0.4	3	40(3)	9	-2	2	$900	3
	subsonic	20	pi-2		500[15,11,7,4]/4000	300				8		2
10	Heavy Needle Pistol, 5mmG	38(2)	pi-1.5	2	800[30,20,12,6]/7000	800	1.8/0.45	3	30(3)	10	-2	2	$1.3k	3
	subsonic	22	pi-1.5		500[18,12,8,5]/4000	300				9		2
10	Emag Pistol, 10mmGS	10	pi+0.5	2	60[7,5,3,2]/900	350	0.7/0.15	3	10(3)	9	-1	3	$550	3
	Payload	5.5	pi+0.5		35[4,3,1.8,1.1]/600	400				8		2
	4mm Flechettes	18	pi-2.5		400[15,10,6,4]/4000	350		×4		9		3
	3mm Flechettes	14	pi-3		300[11,7,5,3]/3000	350		×10		9		3
10	Emag Pistol, 15mmGS	7	pi+1.5	2	50[5,3.5,2.5,1.5]/700	300	1/0.25	3	10(3)	10	-1	4	$700	3
	Payload	4.5	pi+1.5		30[3.5,2.5,1.5,0.9]/500	400				9		3
	4mm Flechettes	16	pi-2.5		400[12,9,6,3.5]/3500	300		×7		10		4
	3mm Flechettes	13	pi-3		300[10,7,4,2.5]/3000	300		×17		10		4