Energy Beam



Energy Beams are a starship beam weapon that cause a dangerous electrical build-up on the hull of the target vessel. Eventually the buildup reaches dangerous proportions and damages ship's systems. Energy Beams are shorter ranged than Force Beams but cannot be stopped by starship armor, only by shields. The nature of the E-beam means it only damages certain systems, and it is possible for a ship's hull to survive even after so many critical systems are destroyed that the ship cannot move or fight. This is referred to as being "E-hulked".

Due to their shorter range, most starfaring nations did not make heavy use of Energy Beams or even the longer-ranged Capital Energy Beams. The exceptions are the Corsairs of Tangri and the Ophiuchi. Like most beam weapons, E-beams cannot penetrate the atmosphere of a planet.