Supervolt Coil

Magitek weapon delivering a powerful electroshock; although the technology originates in the Gate Dimension, the Scandian League refined it and deployed it en masse.

One unique property of the supervolt coil is its ability to shut down or impair the operations of electronics. For this reason, it is highly prized among the pirates of the Unbound, who will tweak their coils to better utilize these properties. Initially, the Scandians focused on increasing the coil's "jolt" and destructive capability. However, modern Scandian supervolt weapons can be "tuned" between "blackout" (disabling electronics) and "buster" (cutting/melting through armor.)

At various times, the Scandians have experimented with deploying supervolt rifles en mass, however, the recharge time on a man-portable coil still pales in comparison to the rate of fire of Needle weapons. Scandian doctrine has tended to use them as squad-level support weapons since around the Leviathan War, and kits most of their soldiers with the "Comrade Ned" Needle Carbine. Despite this, the "Scandian supervolt rifle" is still indelibly associated with the League in the popular imagination.

The Scandians also deploy much larger coils on "Zapper" tanks, a truly fearsome sight to behold, though again, the Scandians prefer to use them in support of tanks with ballistic, electromagnetic weaponry. They have also deployed them on aircraft, spacecraft, watercraft, and certain Dracoforms. The Ryu Dracoform features a "lightning whip" for close combat -- apparently power requirements have prevented the Scandian League from making a personal-scale one (so far.)

Despite its efficacy, the weapon has a few limitations. The material of the target matters a great deal -- metal is obviously a good conductor, whereas something like plastic is much less attractive. Water and wet environments also often impact the range and targeting ability of the weapon. It is probably these reasons, as much as cost, that prevent it from becoming a true staple of the Scandian military.

The Scandian expertise in this area is a bit striking, especially given their weakness in other forms of magitek. Although their methods of production and design are obviously close secrets, some Grand Army ships have the technology. The Scandians have reputedly shared some coils with the Unbound as part of their ongoing cold war with Guardia and their Coalition. As the technology originates in Gate, Guardia has historically focused on Luminaire, Wondershot and Antipode weapons.