WH40K: Las Weapons

Las Weapons

Laser or “las” weapons are the most numerous weapons found in the Imperium. Based on reliable technology, they are cheap to manufacture and easy to maintain. Las weapons work by emitting short, sharp pulses of laser energy from high-storage fast-discharge capacitors with a flash of light and a distinctive snap like the cracking of a whip.

Name	Type	Scale	Skill	Ammo	Availability	Weight	Range	Damage
Laspistol	Laser Pistol	Character	Blaster	30	1 F	1.5kg	1-15/30/60m	3D
Hot-shot Laspistol	Laser Pistol	Character	Blaster	40	3 R	4kg	1-10/20/40m	4D
Archeotech Laspistol	Laser Pistol	Character	Blaster	70	6 F	4kg	1-45/90/180m	3D+2
Belasco Dueling Pistol	Laser Pistol	Character	Blaster	1	4 F	1.5kg	1-23/45/90m	4D
Lasgun	Laser Rifle	Character	Blaster	60	1 R	4kg	1-50/100/200m	3D+1
Long-Las	Laser Rifle	Character	Blaster	40	4 R	4.5kg	1-75/150/300m	5D
Hot-shot Lasgun	Laser Rifle	Character	Blaster	30	3 R	6kg	1-30/60/120m	4D
M36 Lasgun	Laser Rifle	Character	Blaster	60	3 R	4kg	1-50/100/200m	3D+1
Laslock	Laser Rifle	Character	Blaster	1	4 R	4kg	1-35/70/140m	3D+1
Las Carbine	Laser Carbine	Character	Blaster	60	1 R	2.5kg	1-38/75/150m	3D+1
Bullpup Lasgun	Laser Rifle	Character	Blaster	60	1 R	3.5kg	1-45/90/180m	3D+1
Triplex Pattern Lasgun	Adjustable Laser Rifle	Character	Blaster	30	3 X	4.5kg	1-50/100/200m	3D+1
M41 Multilaser	Repeating Laser Rifle	Character	Blaster	100	4 X	35kg	1-75/150/300m	7D+2
Las Gauntlets	Laser Gauntlet	Character	Blaster	20	4 X	3kg	1-25/50/100m	3D+2
MP Lascannon	Laser Cannon	Speeder	Blaster Artillery	5	5 X	55kg	1-150/300/600m	8D+2
Hell Hammer Lascannon	Laser Cannon	Speeder	Blaster Artillery	5	5 X	55kg	1-150/300/600m	8D+2
Astartes Lascannon	Laser Cannon	Walker	Blaster Artillery	6	5 X	75kg	1-150/300/600m	8D

Laspistol

As common as the lasgun, the laspistol is the backup weapon of choice for both Imperial forces and many of their foes. It is a favoured sidearm for Imperial and Renegade officers alike, and shares the lasgun’s reliability.

Laspistol Variable Setting:

Overcharge Mode

• Uses two (2) shots worth of ammunition per shot fired.
• Damage: 3D+1

Overload Mode

• Uses four (4) shots worth of ammunition per shot fired.
• Damage: 4D+2
• Mishap +1

Hot-shot Laspistol & Lasgun (Lucius-Pattern)

Sometimes known as hellguns and hellpistols, “hot-shot” weapons are almost exclusively used by high ranking Imperial officers and elite forces who favour the higher power over regular las weapons. While hellguns are rarely seen outside of elite Storm Trooper units, hellpistols can be seen among many of the officer corps and Inquisitorial agencies where the extra hitting power they provide over a regular laspistol often means the difference between their life and failure to the Emperor.

Hot-shot weapons use a 10 kg backpack power source rather than a standard plug-in pack, even for the smaller hellpistol. Larger power packs mean greater power behind each shot but make reloading more impractical, which is a trade-off most are willing to make. Hellguns can also be linked to larger backpack power sources.

Laspistol (Archeotech)

Sometimes known as lasrods and gelt guns, these ancient designs pack much greater range and power. It can be fired like a pistol, though many also can mount folding stocks and longer barrels allow the weapon to be braced two handed for a more accurate shot. It is also more efficient than most las weapons, getting more shots per charge. Rare and arcane, few outside of Rogue Traders or collectors would ever know of—let alone possess—one, but many regard these weapons as statements of rank and status in the Expanse.

• Attack +1D

Belasco Dueling Pistol

While certainly lethal, Belasco dueling pistols more often serve as ostentatious displays of wealth and status than as field weapons. Most can only fie one powerful las-blast before needing a reload, but they are extremely accurate over longer ranges.

• Attack +1D

Lasgun

Produced in the trillions, the lasgun (created in hundreds of local and Imperial patterns) varies in shape and appearance but remains a reliable and functional infantry rifle. Though there are more powerful weapons, few rival the lasgun’s dependability and robustness.

Lasgun Variable Setting:

Overcharge Mode

• Uses two (2) shots worth of ammunition per shot fired.
• Damage: 3D+2

Overload Mode

• Uses four (4) shots worth of ammunition per shot fired.
• Damage: 5D
• Mishap +1

Long-Las

Favoured by snipers, the long-las is a specially modified version of the lasgun constructed for added range and accuracy. As it’s name implies, a long-las has a much longer barrel than a lasgun, both to increase range and prevent overheating.

Long-Las Variable Setting:

Standard Mode

• Attack +1D

Overcharge Mode

• Attack +1D
• Uses two (2) shots worth of ammunition per shot fired.
• Damage: 5D+1

Overload Mode

• Uses four (4) shots worth of ammunition per shot fired.
• Damage: 6D+1
• Mishap +1

M36 Lasgun

Produced in a multitude of different styles and patterns, the lasgun can be found on almost every world of the Imperium. The M36 pattern is one of the most ubiquitous patterns.

Laslock

On worlds where the standard power pack pattern has been lost, laslocks are commonly used in place of lasguns. Sometimes known as “blaze guns” or “las-muskets” among more sophisticated worlds, these may instead be cobbled together and ill-made weapons. Often found in the hands of desperate and poorly equipped insurgents or renegades, laslocks might be scratch-built or modifications of antique or damaged las rifles brought back into service by scavworkshops and heretek forges. A laslock’s jury-rigged cells are temperamental things at best, but still potent, firing a more powerful discharge than that of a standard lasgun.

• Mishap +1.

Las Carbine

A cut-down version of the lasgun, the las carbine makes a good backup weapon, often given to vehicle crews or support staff. Their smaller construction (they have shorter barrels and often come with folding stocks) mean they are popular with those who wish to carry a concealed weapon as well. Las carbines can be fired with one hand at half the penalty.

Las Carbine Variable Setting:

Overcharge Mode

• Uses two (2) shots worth of ammunition per shot fired.
• Damage: 3D+2

Overload Mode

• Uses four (4) shots worth of ammunition per shot fired.
• Damage: 5D
• Mishap +1

Bullpup Lasgun

Units focused towards aerial or vehicular deployment often utilise lasgun variants that are designed to increase portability and minimise size. While many employ las carbines, many such units are unwilling to sacrifice the lasgun’s effective range. The bullpup design counters this by extending the barrel into the weapon’s stock, as well as mounting the power pack within the base of the stock behind the grip. In this way, the rifle achieves a balance between the compact design of a carbine while retaining most of the full capability of a standard lasgun.

Bullpup Lasgun Variable Setting:

Overcharge Mode

• Uses two (2) shots worth of ammunition per shot fired.
• Damage: 3D+2

Overload Mode

• Uses four (4) shots worth of ammunition per shot fired.
• Damage: 5D
• Mishap +1

Triplex Pattern Lasgun

A highly refined variant of the standard lasgun, the triplex offers alternative firing modes that make the weapon more versatile on the battlefield.

Standard Mode

When fired in standard mode, the weapon uses the Statistics listed above.

Precision Mode

• Range: 1-75/150/300m
• Attack rolls +1D.

Burst Mode

• Range: 1-25/50/100m
• When rolling damage, all 1's & 2's rolled for damage are considered a 3 instead.
• Damage: 5D+2

M41 Multilaser

Often found mounted on vehicles as a counter to infantry and light vehicles, the multi-laser is a multi-barrelled gatling laser with an impressive rate of fire. However, its blasts lack the penetration of the lascannon, making it less effective against heavy armor.

Las Gauntlets

It is still debated whether these devices are of xeno manufacture or an intact pattern from the Dark Age of Technology. Each fits over the forearm with glove controls, and can fire salvos of long raking beams rather than the short crisp blasts of most las weapons. They are mostly viewed as a plaything for rich nobles on the hunt for exotic prey of any type (even xenos or humans), but some assassins favour the gauntlets as an affectation designed to frighten.

• Attack rolls +1D.

Man Portable Lascannon

Built for war, lascannons use huge power packs that provide enough energy to punch holes in the thickest armor even at very long ranges. Lascannons also require separate power packs, which is why they are often crewed by two or more people.

• When rolling damage, all 1's rolled for damage are considered a 2 instead.

Hell Hammer Lascannon

A common variant of the man-portable las cannon used by the Imperial Guard, the Hell Hammer is a large bulky weapon that usually has a crew of two or three men. Though it is awkward to wield, it can fire laser beams with enough force to punch through a battle tank.

• When rolling damage, all 1's rolled for damage are considered a 2 instead.

Astartes Lascannon

Las technology is generally of little interest to the Adeptus Astartes, who have access to more powerful weapons and do not answer to the Departmento Munitorum for their ammunition costs. The Lascannon is the exception. These guns use huge power packs that provide enough energy to punch holes in the thickest armour even at extreme ranges. Lascannons require separate power packs, which the Space Marines usually affix to their backpack generators.

Sources

• Black Crusade - Core Rulebook (pages 153-154)
• Dark Heresy - Core Rulebook (pages 130-132)
• Deathwatch - Core Rulebook (pages 145, 149-150)
• Only War - Core Rulebook (pages 174-176)
• Rogue Trader - Core Rulebook (pages 117-120)
• Warhammer 40k Wiki: Laser Weapons
• thedemonapostle