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| − | {{Eras|old|imp|new|njo}} |
+ | {{Eras|old|imp|reb|new|njo}} |
{{Weapon |
{{Weapon |
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| + | |imageBG= |
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|image=[[File:Bowcaster negwt.jpg|250px]] |
|image=[[File:Bowcaster negwt.jpg|250px]] |
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|name=Bowcaster |
|name=Bowcaster |
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| + | |hidep= |
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| − | |manufacturer=[[Wookiee]]s<ref name="TRG1-52"> |
+ | |manufacturer=[[Wookiee]]s<ref name="TRG1-52">[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, First Edition|''Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game'', First Edition]], p. 52</ref> |
|model= |
|model= |
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|type=[[Crossbow]]<ref name="TRG1-52" /> |
|type=[[Crossbow]]<ref name="TRG1-52" /> |
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| + | |culture=[[Wookiee]]s<ref name="TRG1-52" /> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |creators= |
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| − | |size= |
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| − | | |
+ | |created= |
| + | |destroyed= |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |discovered= |
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| − | |range=*Optimum range: 30 meters |
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| + | |owners= |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |locations= |
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| − | |era=*[[Old Republic era]] |
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| + | |cost=*{{cr}}900 to {{cr}}1500<ref name="Saga Edition Core Rulebook" /> for an off-worlder |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |value= |
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| + | |hidet= |
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| + | |shape= |
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| + | |size=Two-handed weapon<ref name="Saga Edition Core Rulebook">''[[Roleplaying Game: Saga Edition Core Rulebook]]''</ref> |
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| + | |color= |
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| + | |material= |
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| + | |length= |
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| + | |width= |
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| + | |diam= |
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| + | |height= |
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| + | |weight=8 kg<ref name="Saga Edition Core Rulebook" /> |
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| + | |protection= |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |range=*Optimum range: 30 meters<ref name="New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology" /> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |inscription= |
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| + | |markings=Often decorated with clan markings<ref name="New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology" /> |
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| + | |hideu= |
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| + | |purpose= |
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| + | |heritage= |
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| + | |era=*[[Old Republic era]]<ref name="KOTOR1">''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''</ref> |
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*[[Rise of the Empire era]] |
*[[Rise of the Empire era]] |
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| + | *[[Rebellion era]]<ref name="Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope">''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]''</ref> |
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| − | *[[Rebellion era]] |
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*[[New Republic era]] |
*[[New Republic era]] |
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*[[New Jedi Order era]] |
*[[New Jedi Order era]] |
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| − | |affiliation=[[Wookiee]]s<ref name=" |
+ | |affiliation=[[Wookiee Berserker]]s<ref name="Force Unleashed Campaign Guide">''[[The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide]]''</ref> |
}} |
}} |
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{{Quote|I ain't afraid of Wookiees. It's their bowcasters that scare me.|Anonymous [[Trandoshan]] slaver|The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology}} |
{{Quote|I ain't afraid of Wookiees. It's their bowcasters that scare me.|Anonymous [[Trandoshan]] slaver|The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology}} |
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The '''bowcaster''' (sometimes called the '''Wookiee Crossbow''') was a [[Wookiee]] projectile weapon that fired a metal [[quarrel]] enveloped in energy. Some bowcasters were modified to fire pure energy. Some variants had a capacity of twenty-four shots. |
The '''bowcaster''' (sometimes called the '''Wookiee Crossbow''') was a [[Wookiee]] projectile weapon that fired a metal [[quarrel]] enveloped in energy. Some bowcasters were modified to fire pure energy. Some variants had a capacity of twenty-four shots. |
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| − | == |
+ | ==Description== |
| − | {{Quote|I've always admired these Wookiee bowcasters. Artistry and firepower in one package.|[[RC-1138]]| Star Wars: Republic Commando}} |
+ | {{Quote|I've always admired these Wookiee bowcasters. Artistry and firepower in one package.|[[Clone commando]] [[RC-1138]]| Star Wars: Republic Commando}} |
[[File:Wookiee swg.jpg|left|thumb|180px|A Wookiee with a bowcaster.]] |
[[File:Wookiee swg.jpg|left|thumb|180px|A Wookiee with a bowcaster.]] |
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In use as early as the [[Jedi Civil War]], the bowcaster could unleash a bolt with impressive stopping power essential to defend Wookiees against the fierce predators of [[Kashyyyk]]'s [[wroshyr tree | forests]]. |
In use as early as the [[Jedi Civil War]], the bowcaster could unleash a bolt with impressive stopping power essential to defend Wookiees against the fierce predators of [[Kashyyyk]]'s [[wroshyr tree | forests]]. |
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The bowcasters were magazine-loaded with usually six explosive bolts per magazine. However some Wookiees developed a bowcaster that fired pure blaster bolts and no magazine was required.<ref name="TRG1-52" /> |
The bowcasters were magazine-loaded with usually six explosive bolts per magazine. However some Wookiees developed a bowcaster that fired pure blaster bolts and no magazine was required.<ref name="TRG1-52" /> |
||
| − | A polarizing orb sat at each end of the bow, generating a magnetic field used to accelerate the quarrels.<ref name="db">{{DB|technology|bowcaster|Wookiee bowcaster}}</ref> After cocking the weapon, a simple trigger sped the quarrel forward and charged it in an envelope of plasma. To generate the requisite potential energy for conversion into kinetic energy, the cocking spring required the strength of a Wookiee to draw back, although some modern bowcasters featured automatic cocking mechanisms for use by other species |
+ | A polarizing orb sat at each end of the bow, generating a magnetic field used to accelerate the quarrels.<ref name="db">{{DB|technology|bowcaster|Wookiee bowcaster}}</ref> After cocking the weapon, a simple trigger sped the quarrel forward and charged it in an envelope of plasma. To generate the requisite potential energy for conversion into kinetic energy, the cocking spring required the strength of a Wookiee to draw back, although some modern bowcasters featured automatic cocking mechanisms for use by other species.<ref name="TRG1-52" /><ref name="db" /> |
While decreasingly effective beyond 30 meters, the bowcaster was more powerful and accurate than typical [[blaster]] weapons. Some bowcasters could load multiple quarrels to create a spread-fire effect, further enhancing their close range effectiveness, while others could fire specially charged bolts that could ricochet off certain surfaces. They also shot pure bolts that were not engulfed in energy. These would sometimes have poison tips or explosive tips. |
While decreasingly effective beyond 30 meters, the bowcaster was more powerful and accurate than typical [[blaster]] weapons. Some bowcasters could load multiple quarrels to create a spread-fire effect, further enhancing their close range effectiveness, while others could fire specially charged bolts that could ricochet off certain surfaces. They also shot pure bolts that were not engulfed in energy. These would sometimes have poison tips or explosive tips. |
||
| − | [[File:Embo-TCWS02.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Embo with his bowcaster variant |
+ | [[File:Embo-TCWS02.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Embo with his bowcaster variant]] |
| − | Bowcasters appeared huge to many non-Wookiees and even Jedi such as Olee Starstone doubted she could lift one, much less fire it. The weight of the weapon, however, was no impediment to the massive strength of the Wookiees. One non-Wookiee individual who used a bowcaster was the [[Kyuzo]] [[bounty hunter]] [[Embo]]. |
+ | Bowcasters appeared huge to many non-Wookiees and even [[Jedi]] such as [[Olee Starstone]] doubted she could lift one, much less fire it. The weight of the weapon, however, was no impediment to the massive strength of the Wookiees. In addition to its size, the exotic design of the bowcaster required a non-Wookiee user to have training in order to wield the weapon proficiently. One non-Wookiee individual who used a bowcaster was the [[Kyuzo]] [[bounty hunter]] [[Embo]]. |
| + | Variants of the bowcaster included the [[Assault bowcaster]] used during the [[Galactic Civil War]] and the [[Ceremonial bowcaster]] used in ceremonial hunts. |
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| − | ==Variants== |
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| − | *[[Assault bowcaster]] |
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| − | *[[Ceremonial bowcaster]] |
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==Behind the scenes== |
==Behind the scenes== |
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[[File:Bowcaster egwt.png|left|thumb|150px|Bowcaster [[:Category:Technical drawing images|schematics]].]] |
[[File:Bowcaster egwt.png|left|thumb|150px|Bowcaster [[:Category:Technical drawing images|schematics]].]] |
||
| − | The bowcaster was originally inspired by an illustration by John Schoenherr for George R.R. Martin's novelette "And Seven Times Never Kill a Man", published in the July 1975 issue of Analog, on which [[Ralph McQuarrie]]'s final Chewbacca concept art was based.<ref>[http://binarybonsai.com/2010/09/18/george-lucas-stole-chewbacca-but-its-okay/ George Lucas Stole Chewbacca, But It's Okay] at The Binary Bonsai</ref>. |
+ | The bowcaster was originally inspired by an illustration by John Schoenherr for George R.R. Martin's novelette "And Seven Times Never Kill a Man", published in the July 1975 issue of Analog, on which [[Ralph McQuarrie]]'s final [[Chewbacca]] concept art was based.<ref>[http://binarybonsai.com/2010/09/18/george-lucas-stole-chewbacca-but-its-okay/ George Lucas Stole Chewbacca, But It's Okay] at The Binary Bonsai</ref>. |
| − | Most sources, including ''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith|Revenge of the Sith]]'', depict bowcasters firing green bolts. However, in ''[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back|The Empire Strikes Back]]'' and ''[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi|Return of the Jedi]]'', |
+ | Most sources, including ''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith|Revenge of the Sith]]'', depict bowcasters firing green bolts. However, in ''[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back|The Empire Strikes Back]]'' and ''[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi|Return of the Jedi]]'', Chewbacca's weapon fires red bolts and in ''[[Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds]]'', Chewbacca's weapon fires yellow bolts. This is due to the [[retcon]] that Chewbacca made his out of a [[stormtrooper]] rifle. |
In ''[[Republic Commando: Hard Contact]]'', [[Darman Skirata]] states that the bowcaster is his favorite weapon. |
In ''[[Republic Commando: Hard Contact]]'', [[Darman Skirata]] states that the bowcaster is his favorite weapon. |
||
| − | In all ''Jedi Knight'' series of games, the bowcaster made an appearance. There, the user had two fire functions: one that could launch one to five bolts (depending on the amount of time spent charging up the shot) and one that launched a single, bouncing bolt. The latter was more accurate at far ranges, and could be fired at a faster pace. |
+ | In all ''Jedi Knight'' series of games, the bowcaster made an appearance. There, the user had two fire functions: one that could launch one to five bolts (depending on the amount of time spent charging up the shot) and one that launched a single, bouncing bolt. The latter was more accurate at far ranges, and could be fired at a faster pace. It was used by an [[Unknown mercenary faction]] |
In both ''Jedi Knight/Dark Forces'' and ''Knights of the Old Republic'' games Wookiees are not the only bowcaster users. Many non-Wookiee mercenaries, bounty hunters, smugglers were equipped with this weapon in games, so did both Kyle and Jaden. Players are given the option of equipping [[Revan]] and the [[Meetra Surik|Jedi Exile]] with bowcasters. |
In both ''Jedi Knight/Dark Forces'' and ''Knights of the Old Republic'' games Wookiees are not the only bowcaster users. Many non-Wookiee mercenaries, bounty hunters, smugglers were equipped with this weapon in games, so did both Kyle and Jaden. Players are given the option of equipping [[Revan]] and the [[Meetra Surik|Jedi Exile]] with bowcasters. |
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==Appearances== |
==Appearances== |
||
{{Scroll box|content= |
{{Scroll box|content= |
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| + | [[File:Chewbacca - SWGTCG.jpg|thumb|[[Chewbacca]] with a bowcaster.]] |
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*''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]'' |
||
*''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]'' |
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| + | *''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]'' |
||
*''[[Jedi Apprentice: The Hidden Past]]'' |
*''[[Jedi Apprentice: The Hidden Past]]'' |
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*''[[Jedi Quest: The Dangerous Games]]'' {{Mo}} |
*''[[Jedi Quest: The Dangerous Games]]'' {{Mo}} |
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*''[[Rebel Dawn]]'' |
*''[[Rebel Dawn]]'' |
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*''[[Fire Ring Race]]'' |
*''[[Fire Ring Race]]'' |
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| + | *''[[Han Solo at Stars' End]]'' |
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*''[[Han Solo and the Lost Legacy]]'' |
*''[[Han Solo and the Lost Legacy]]'' |
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*{{Journal|3|When the Domino Falls}} |
*{{Journal|3|When the Domino Falls}} |
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| Line 105: | Line 131: | ||
*''[[Star Wars: Empire: Idiot's Array]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars: Empire: Idiot's Array]]'' |
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*''[[Star Wars: Empire: "General" Skywalker]]'' {{Vision}} |
*''[[Star Wars: Empire: "General" Skywalker]]'' {{Vision}} |
||
| − | *''[[Star Wars Rebellion 15: Vector, Part 7]]'' |
+ | *''[[Star Wars: Rebellion 15: Vector, Part 7]]'' |
*''[[The Star Wars Holiday Special]]'' |
*''[[The Star Wars Holiday Special]]'' |
||
*''[[The Second Kessel Run]]'' |
*''[[The Second Kessel Run]]'' |
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| Line 135: | Line 161: | ||
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II]]'' |
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*''[[Chewbacca and the Life-Debt]]'' {{Mo}} |
*''[[Chewbacca and the Life-Debt]]'' {{Mo}} |
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| − | *{{ |
+ | *{{WEGCite|book=Dark Force Rising Sourcebook|text=''Dark Force Rising Sourcebook''|story=Gottu and His Vibroaxe|stext=''Gottu and His Vibroaxe''}} {{Mo}} |
*''[[The Crystal Star]]'' |
*''[[The Crystal Star]]'' |
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*''[[Tatooine Ghost]]'' |
*''[[Tatooine Ghost]]'' |
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| Line 149: | Line 175: | ||
*''[[Fury]]'' |
*''[[Fury]]'' |
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*''[[Outcast (novel)|Outcast]]'' |
*''[[Outcast (novel)|Outcast]]'' |
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| + | *''[[X-Wing: Mercy Kill]]'' |
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*''[[Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron]]'' |
||
}} |
}} |
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{{Scroll box|content= |
{{Scroll box|content= |
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*[[Star Wars (toy line)|''Star Wars'' toy line]] |
*[[Star Wars (toy line)|''Star Wars'' toy line]] |
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| − | * |
+ | *[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, First Edition|''Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game'', First Edition]] |
| + | *''[[The Star Wars Sourcebook]]'' |
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| + | *''[[Star Wars Campaign Pack]]'' |
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*''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition]]'' |
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*''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Handbook, Second Edition]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Handbook, Second Edition]]'' |
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| Line 183: | Line 212: | ||
*''[[Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided Quick Reference Guide]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided Quick Reference Guide]]'' |
||
*''[[The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology]]'' |
*''[[The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology]]'' |
||
| + | *''[[Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords: Prima Official Game Guide]]'' |
||
*''[[Star Wars Galaxies: The Complete Guide: Prima Official Game Guide]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars Galaxies: The Complete Guide: Prima Official Game Guide]]'' |
||
*''[[Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary]]'' |
*''[[Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary]]'' |
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| Line 194: | Line 224: | ||
*{{InsiderCite|106|Han Solo: The Early Years}} |
*{{InsiderCite|106|Han Solo: The Early Years}} |
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*''[[Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide]]'' |
*''[[Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide]]'' |
||
| + | *''[[Roleplaying Game: Saga Edition Core Rulebook]]'' |
||
*''[[The Unknown Regions]]'' |
*''[[The Unknown Regions]]'' |
||
*''[[Millennium Falcon Owner's Workshop Manual]]'' |
*''[[Millennium Falcon Owner's Workshop Manual]]'' |
||
| + | *''[[Star Wars: Edge of the Empire Core Rulebook]]'' |
||
| + | *''[[Star Wars: Force Collection]]'' {{C|Card: Chewbacca (★★★★)}} {{Po}} |
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*{{DB|technology|bowcaster|Wookiee bowcaster}} |
*{{DB|technology|bowcaster|Wookiee bowcaster}} |
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}} |
}} |
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}} |
}} |
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| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Bowcasters| ]] |
| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Magnetic acceleration weaponry]] |
Revision as of 09:28, 18 February 2014
 |  |
Warning: This infobox has missing parameters: crew and unrecognized parameters: hidep, color, hidet, era, hideu, imageBG
- "I ain't afraid of Wookiees. It's their bowcasters that scare me."
- ―Anonymous Trandoshan slaver
The bowcaster (sometimes called the Wookiee Crossbow) was a Wookiee projectile weapon that fired a metal quarrel enveloped in energy. Some bowcasters were modified to fire pure energy. Some variants had a capacity of twenty-four shots.
Description
- "I've always admired these Wookiee bowcasters. Artistry and firepower in one package."
- ―Clone commando RC-1138
A Wookiee with a bowcaster.
In use as early as the Jedi Civil War, the bowcaster could unleash a bolt with impressive stopping power essential to defend Wookiees against the fierce predators of Kashyyyk's forests.
The bowcasters were magazine-loaded with usually six explosive bolts per magazine. However some Wookiees developed a bowcaster that fired pure blaster bolts and no magazine was required.[1]
A polarizing orb sat at each end of the bow, generating a magnetic field used to accelerate the quarrels.[9] After cocking the weapon, a simple trigger sped the quarrel forward and charged it in an envelope of plasma. To generate the requisite potential energy for conversion into kinetic energy, the cocking spring required the strength of a Wookiee to draw back, although some modern bowcasters featured automatic cocking mechanisms for use by other species.[1][9]
While decreasingly effective beyond 30 meters, the bowcaster was more powerful and accurate than typical blaster weapons. Some bowcasters could load multiple quarrels to create a spread-fire effect, further enhancing their close range effectiveness, while others could fire specially charged bolts that could ricochet off certain surfaces. They also shot pure bolts that were not engulfed in energy. These would sometimes have poison tips or explosive tips.
Embo with his bowcaster variant
Bowcasters appeared huge to many non-Wookiees and even Jedi such as Olee Starstone doubted she could lift one, much less fire it. The weight of the weapon, however, was no impediment to the massive strength of the Wookiees. In addition to its size, the exotic design of the bowcaster required a non-Wookiee user to have training in order to wield the weapon proficiently. One non-Wookiee individual who used a bowcaster was the Kyuzo bounty hunter Embo.
Variants of the bowcaster included the Assault bowcaster used during the Galactic Civil War and the Ceremonial bowcaster used in ceremonial hunts.
Behind the scenes
Bowcaster schematics.
The bowcaster was originally inspired by an illustration by John Schoenherr for George R.R. Martin's novelette "And Seven Times Never Kill a Man", published in the July 1975 issue of Analog, on which Ralph McQuarrie's final Chewbacca concept art was based.[10].
Most sources, including Revenge of the Sith, depict bowcasters firing green bolts. However, in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Chewbacca's weapon fires red bolts and in Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, Chewbacca's weapon fires yellow bolts. This is due to the retcon that Chewbacca made his out of a stormtrooper rifle.
In Republic Commando: Hard Contact, Darman Skirata states that the bowcaster is his favorite weapon.
In all Jedi Knight series of games, the bowcaster made an appearance. There, the user had two fire functions: one that could launch one to five bolts (depending on the amount of time spent charging up the shot) and one that launched a single, bouncing bolt. The latter was more accurate at far ranges, and could be fired at a faster pace. It was used by an Unknown mercenary faction
In both Jedi Knight/Dark Forces and Knights of the Old Republic games Wookiees are not the only bowcaster users. Many non-Wookiee mercenaries, bounty hunters, smugglers were equipped with this weapon in games, so did both Kyle and Jaden. Players are given the option of equipping Revan and the Jedi Exile with bowcasters.
All Wookiee player characters in Star Wars Galaxies start with the ability to craft bowcasters.
Appearances
Non-canon appearances
- LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game
- LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
- Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope
- LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
- Planet of the Dead Template:Am
- Ghosts of Hoth
- Star Wars Infinities: The Empire Strikes Back
- Into the Great Unknown
- Tall Tales Template:Am (In flashback(s))
- LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
Sources
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, First Edition, p. 52
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Roleplaying Game: Saga Edition Core Rulebook
- ↑ Star Wars: Behind the Magic
- ↑ Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
- ↑ Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- ↑ Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- ↑ The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide
- ↑ 9.0 9.1
Wookiee bowcaster in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- ↑ George Lucas Stole Chewbacca, But It's Okay at The Binary Bonsai