40K Lore: Eldar Shuriken Technology
Today we delve into the deadly and feared arsenal, unique to the Eldar – shuriken weapons.
Shuriken Weaponry are weapons almost unique to the Eldar, as this technology is extremely advanced and very difficult to replicate. The Eldar make widespread use of shuriken weaponry, which ranges in size from personal sidearms to massive tank-mounted cannons, and all operate on the same principles. The art of using a shuriken weapon is one that most Eldar will learn, if only for a period of time as part of a Guardian squad, though many Aspect Shrines give great focus on how to wield these deadly weapons.
Operation
All shuriken weapons are built around a gravitic accelerator, similar to the motors which propel Imperial Land Speeders, and a solid core of ammunition composed of a plasti-crystal material, stored in the weapon’s magazine. High-energy impulses originating from the rear of the weapon detach a monomolecular-thin slice of the core and hurls this slice out the barrel of the weapon at tremendous velocities due to a peristaltic shift. A magnetic repulsor forces the ammunition core out of the magazine and keeps it in line with the firing impulse. Using this method a burst of a hundred rounds can be fired in one or two seconds, and each core is good for ten or more of these bursts before requiring replacement. The downside to this method of operation is that shuriken weapons lack rifling in the barrel; this not only reduces accuracy but also the range of these weapons in comparison to normal projectile weapons of similar size.
The shuriken missiles themselves can be formed into a variety of shapes and designs, though whether these exist for practical or purely aesthetic purposes are unknown, with the most common pattern being a star followed by triangular and circular shapes. Whatever their shape these razor-sharp missiles are capable of not only slicing straight through flesh and bone, but also penetrating a considerable thickness of metal and even plasteel armour.
As with most Eldar technology, shuriken weapons are psychically activated, constructed of wraithbone which is particularly sensitive to the Eldar’s innate psychic mind. For many personal weapons this link is established though the grip and connects with additional systems incorporated to their armour.
Types of Shuriken weapons
Shuriken Pistol
Shuriken Pistol
The Shuriken Pistol is the smaller version of the Shuriken Catapult and is fired one-handed. Shurikens fired from the pistol are identical to those used in catapults, but the weapon itself has a shorter barrel and smaller energy capacity, resulting in limited range, rate of fire and power. Humans sometimes refer to this weapon as a slinger or sling pistol, while its Eldar name is murehk. It is a common backup sidearm for many Eldar warriors, and is one of the primary weapons of the Howling Banshees and Striking Scorpions.
Shuriken Catapult
Shuriken Catapult
The Shuriken Catapult is the standard type of shuriken weapon, firing razor-sharp monomolecular discs capable of slicing through flesh and penetrating a considerable thickness of plasteel armour. Humans sometimes refer to these weapons as star slingers or just slingers or sling guns, while its Eldar name is tuelean. The shuriken catapult is the basic weapon of the Guardians, the citizen-militia of the Craftworlds, and is incorporated to certain other systems such as Eldar Jetbikes.
Avenger Shuriken Catapult
The Avenger Shuriken Catapult is the standard weapon of the Dire Avenger Aspect Warriors. Compared to normal shuriken catapult the Avenger has an extended barrel, power feeds and inbuilt rangefinders, resulting in greater range and accuracy. Fully automatic the Avenger can fire 1,500 rounds per minute though at this rate it will deplete its ammunition core in just four seconds. Normally the Dire Avengers will use their weapon in semi-automatic mode, using precision to conserve their precious ammunition, and save full-automatic firing for close range assaults. While Avenger shurikens cannot punch through the heavy armour plating of Adeptus Astartes power armour, they will easily penetrate its weak points, including joints and eye lenses.
Gatekeepers Bastion
The Gatekeepers Bastion is a modified Avenger Shuriken Catapult made with with fortification and protection against environmental conditions in mind. The model includes reinforced casing around the barrel and magazine, and an augmented scope/range finder built with penetrating hostile planetary conditions as its primary function (snow storms, sand storms, etc.). The weapon’s hefty casing makes for a much more solid impact, if the Dire Avenger is forced to strike a target in melee, and its seals make it far less prone to clogging and jamming in battle.
Shuriken Cannon
The Shuriken Cannon is a much larger version of the shuriken catapult. While it works in a similar way to smaller shuriken weaponry, it includes a number of additional features, such as an elongated ammunition coil, a triple accelerator field, and a stabilising gyroscopes. They are generally mounted on Guardian heavy weapon platforms and Eldar vehicles.
Shuriken Cannon
Shuriken Cannon Harlequins variant
Shrieker Cannon
The Shuriken Shrieker Cannon, its Eldar name buanna, is a specialized version of the shuriken catapult used by Harlequin Death Jesters. In addition to a longer barrel, the Shriker Cannon can fire both normal shurikens and shrieker shurikens, also known as margrech, which are hollowed out and contain a genetically tailored enzyme-based toxin. Centripetal forces created by the spinning of the disc forces this virulent toxin into the target through microscopic pores in the shuriken’s spines, which also give it a distinctive shrieking noise as it travels through the air. The result of the toxin is most unpleasant to any living creature: combining with their own genetic material, the unfortunate target’s tissue begins to twist and distort itself, organs cease functioning, and delirium sets in as the serum reaches their brain. Eventually the replicating genetic serum reaches a fever pitch, and the target violently explodes in a most horrific and untidy manner.
Learn All About Eldar Weapons
~What is you favorite Eldar weapon?
