Although the use of energy weapons is increasing, projectile weapons are still the more popular, and by far the more dependable firearm. While energy weapons rely on an external battery to provide the energy to fire the weapon itself, projectile weapons can be used without consuming energy required to power shields and other devices. The WEC has been pursuing increasing the destructive power of their projectile weapons, and consequently the Resistance has seen two new developments in their weaponry; the BK-16 Crystallizer and the LNR-81 Liquefier. All Resistance information on Consortium projectile weapon capabilities is presented here.
RP-32 "PACIFIST" SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT RIFLE
A standard infantry weapon for all WEC military forces, the RP-32 fires in 3-round bursts when the trigger is depressed. Its precedent, the RP-22, has been taken out of the WEC arsenal in favor of the newer rifle. The RP-22, by contrast, was preset to fire in 2-round bursts
The most notable feature of the Pacifist is its incorporation of a magnetic ammunition feed system instead of the traditional belt-feed system. The free-loading ammunition reduces jamming problems.
The RP-32 rifle can be fitted with either optical or electronic sights. It is formed entirely of ballistic-grade plastics and fires a frictionless, caseless .30 projectile. Standard options include shoulder sling and bipod mount.
This weapon is typically carried by standard LMC guards. It has a high refire rate, and mounts 60 rounds in the magazine. Any shield can defend against this weapon. It is best used to eliminate lightly armored foes, as its effectiveness decreases significantly against well-armored targets.
SG-A1 "CONFORMER" SHOTGUN
This deadly anti-personnel weapon is standard issue for riot control and urban security units. It is one of the two available shotguns in the WEC arsenal.
The Conformer has a slow refire rate compared to the other WEC weapons, but its damage potential is high enough to warrant its continued service. It fires a 13-gram breakaway shell with fragmented shrapnel, and carries 12 Teflon-coated shells per magazine. The smooth bore and chamber feature an automatic load system that eliminates the hinged stock found in earlier models.
Sportsmen have started to adopt this weapon for large game hunting. No permit is needed for military use, although corporate and civilian marksmen must complete an 8-hour handling course.
The Conformer is best used to eliminate single human targets at close range. The fragmenting shell makes long-range firefights with it almost useless. However, at close range, it is an incredibly deadly weapon, and one favored by the Resistance. Although the AC-88 is an upgraded, improved shgotgun from the SG-A1 Conformer, availability of the AC-88 Reaper is extremely limited, and the Conformer shotgun is much easier to obtain.
AC-88 "REAPER" SHOTGUN
The AC-88 Reaper lives up to its reputation as one of the most devastating anti-personnel weapons in the WEC arsenal. This rapid-fire (6 shot per second) shotgun is especially capable of delivering a great deal of damage in indoor areas.
Despite the hefty price increase over the SG-A1 Conformer, the AC-88 is definitely worth the investment. The addition of a Teflon-lined barrel more than doubles the refire rate over the SG-A1 and gives improved semi-automatic action. A laser telescopic sight increases accuracy by approximately 10%.
AC-88 Reapers are commonly used to dispel rioting crowds and are often carried by compound perimeter guards.
The AC-88 is the Resistance's weapon of choice. It is excellent for stealth attacks on human guards, since at close range it can dispatch them in less than a second, and often in one shot. It also does not have the reloading problems of the Conformer. However, availability of this weapon is incredibly restricted to the Consortium, and obviously even more so to the Resistance. Resistance soldiers who possess this weapon have usually managed to find them out in the field.
Fortunately, this weapon is not standard issue for any WEC forces at this time. As more are produced, however, it is likely that members of the Enforcer Corps and perhaps even the Stormtroopers may begin to carry them.
GL-303 GRENADE LAUNCHER
At least one member of every WEC fire team is required to carry a GL-303, although extensive use among police and anti-terrorist units usually warrants three per team. This grenade is primarily used to dispel crowds or large groups of protesters.
The normal Consortium anti-personnel grenade used with this weapon is the 303 grenade, which delivers both concussion and incendiary damage.
The standard grenade rounds are streamlined, 9.2 centimeter plastic projectiles weighing 102 to 144 grams. Because of its low ammunition weight, the GL-303 is able to support an internal, 10-round grenade magazine.
The grenades explode on impact, spraying flaming shards in a 360-degree radius, both horizontally and vertically. The GL-303 is particularly effective against organic targets. When a human takes a direct hit, they burst into flames and die soon thereafter.
The Resistance field reports indicate that distribution of the GL-303 is on the rise, not only to the Special Forces and Enforcer Corps, but also even to the Guards. Shields are ineffective against the GL-303 grenade. Stealth attacks seem to be the most efficient way to deal with WEC personnel carrying the grenade launcher. Once a grenade is launched, fighting becomes dicey, since the grenade's blast radius is so large.
AR-7 ROCKET LAUNCHER
This hand-held weapon is distinguished as the only man-portable WEC weapon with the capability of firing rockets. These self-propelled projectiles split into several bursts upon being fired. Rockets are invaluable from an offensive standpoint. They deal a great deal of damage to both mechanical and organic warriors and can penetrate any type of shield in existence.
A standard rocket is approximately 1.5 cm in diameter and 5 cm long, and a standard rocket magazine contains 8 rounds. The latest model launcher has a built-in timer chip that allows the user to set an electronic timer/range fuse, which detonates the rocket at a certain range. This rocket launcher is not yet standard issue. Rockets are not yet guided, but reports indicate that Consortium R & D will deliver an operational rocket guidance chip in less than a year's time.
Unlike most other weapon-certification requirements, AR-7 users must obtain a specific endorsement on their weapon permit.
The GL-303 is uaually issued to WEC troops instead of the AR-7 simply because it is simpler to deploy. Since rockets split into 3 seperate projectiles upon being fired, they are difficult to use effectively when several WEC soldiers are fighting together. Frequently, stray rockets from friendly fire have injured or resulted in the death of Special Forces soldiers.
The GL-303 has a larger blast radius than the AR-7 rocket launcher. Stormtroopers tend to favor the GL-303 over the AR-7 for this reason.
BK-16 CRYSTALLIZER
One of the most technologically advanced weapons ever created, the BK-16 fires a low-velocity 12 cm cartridge. When the projectile impacts, it creates a field around the target that inhibits all molecular motion.
The end effect freezew the victim, and is equivalent to exposing them to several minutes of near absolute-zero temperatures.
The BK-16, while scientifically impressive, is not very practical. Consortium R & D has not managed to discover a means of firing the projectile very quickly, and consequently it is relatively easy for a soldier to dodge BK-16 bursts. Targeting is also a severe drawback of the BK-16 rifle. The kickback the weapon gives upon being fired prevents a quick refire rate and prevents accurate manual targeting. For this reason, Cryotron mechs are usually issued with the BK-16 instead of WEC soldiers. Their mechanical targeting system nullifies the targeting defect and allows for a quicker refire rate. Once this weapon has undergone upgrades, however, it is expected that more WEC soldiers will be issued with it.
LNR-81 LIQUEFIER
The LNR-81 fires cartridges that carry a highly classified chemical catalyst designed to destroy a wide spectrum of complex molecular bonds. The catalytic agent is released via a localyzed concussion charge that ignites on impact. Upon impact, the charge breaks covalent and ionic bonds and implodes atomic matter.
The Liquefier is capable of breaking down flesh into a small accumulation of semi-solid matter in less than a second. The cartridge is also effective against mechanical targets; it causes chain transmutations in alloys and synthetic materials that render most electromechanical devices useless.
The LNR-81, like the BK-16, has an ineffective targeting system, because the firing mechanism is unlike other weapons. Liquefier shots travel at a low velocity, and the refire rate is fairly slow. LNR-81 weapons are not yet deemed practical for standard issue, and are mainly restricted to use by Headquarters Elite Guards. The LNR-81 mounts a 10-round magazine. The BK-16 and the LNR-81 projectile weapons are just as effective on mechanical targets as they are on human targets, unlike the RP-32 rifle and the pair of WEC shotguns. This makes them favorable to energy weapons at close range, since they don't carry the drawback of draining energy from a soldier's personal shield's power source.