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Changes: Bowcaster/Legends

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{{Weapon
  
{{Weapon
 
|imageBG=
  
|imageBG=
−
|image=[[File:Bowcaster negwt.jpg|250px]]
 +
|image=[[File:Bowcaster negwt.jpg]]
 
|name=Bowcaster
  
|name=Bowcaster
  ⚫
|manufacturer=[[Wookiee]]s<ref name="TRG1-52">''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game (first edition)|Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game]]'', p. 52</ref>
−
|hidep=
  
⚫
|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=
 
|type=Exotic weapon<ref name="Saga Edition Core Rulebook" />
  
|type=Exotic weapon<ref name="Saga Edition Core Rulebook" />
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|owners=
  
|owners=
 
|locations=
  
|locations=
−
|cost=*{{cr}}900 to {{cr}}1500<ref name="Saga Edition Core Rulebook" /> for an off-worlder
 +
|cost=*900 to 1500 [[Galactic Credit Standard|credits]]<ref name="Saga Edition Core Rulebook"/> for an off-worlder
 
*Wookiees received theirs as free gifts<ref name="BtM">''[[Star Wars: Behind the Magic]]''</ref>
  
*Wookiees received theirs as free gifts<ref name="BtM">''[[Star Wars: Behind the Magic]]''</ref>
 
|value=
  
|value=
−
|hidet=
  
 
|shape=[[Crossbow]]<ref name="TRG1-52" />
  
|shape=[[Crossbow]]<ref name="TRG1-52" />
−
|size=Two-handed weapon<ref name="Saga Edition Core Rulebook">''[[Roleplaying Game: Saga Edition Core Rulebook]]''</ref>
 +
|size=Two-handed weapon<ref name="Saga Edition Core Rulebook">''[[Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition Core Rulebook]]''</ref>
 
|color=
  
|color=
 
|material=
  
|material=
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|weight=8 [[Kilogram|kg]]<ref name="Saga Edition Core Rulebook" />
  
|weight=8 [[Kilogram|kg]]<ref name="Saga Edition Core Rulebook" />
 
|protection=
  
|protection=
−
|capacity=From 6 shots per magazine<ref name="TRG1-52" /> to 35 shots<ref>''[[Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide]]''</ref>
 +
|capacity=From 6 shots per magazine<ref name="TRG1-52" /> to 35 shots<ref>''[[Star Wars Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide]]''</ref>
 
|range=*Optimum: up to 30 [[Imperial standard meter|m]]<ref name="New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology">''[[The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology]]''</ref>
  
|range=*Optimum: up to 30 [[Imperial standard meter|m]]<ref name="New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology">''[[The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology]]''</ref>
 
*Maximum: up to 50 m<ref name="New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology" />
  
*Maximum: up to 50 m<ref name="New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology" />
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|inscription=
  
|inscription=
 
|markings=Often decorated with clan markings<ref name="New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology">''[[The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology]]''</ref>
  
|markings=Often decorated with clan markings<ref name="New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology">''[[The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology]]''</ref>
−
|hideu=
  
 
|purpose=
  
|purpose=
 
|heritage=
  
|heritage=
 
|era=*[[Old Republic era]]<ref name="KOTOR1">''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''</ref>
  
|era=*[[Old Republic era]]<ref name="KOTOR1">''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''</ref>
 
*[[Rise of the Empire era]]
  
*[[Rise of the Empire era]]
−
*[[Rebellion era]]<ref name="Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope">''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]''</ref>
 +
*[[Rebellion era]]<ref name="Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope">[[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''Star Wars'': Episode IV ''A New Hope'']]</ref>
 
*[[New Republic era]]
  
*[[New Republic era]]
 
*[[New Jedi Order era]]
  
*[[New Jedi Order era]]
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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}}
   
−
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.
   
 
==Description==
  
==Description==
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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. 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]]. However all Wookiees were able to wield their cultural weapon with proficiency.
 +
Bowcasters appeared huge to many non-Wookiees and even [[Jedi]] such as [[Olee Starstone]] doubted they 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]]. However, all Wookiees were able to wield their cultural weapon with proficiency.
   
 
Variants of the bowcaster included the [[Assault bowcaster]] used during the [[Galactic Civil War]] and the [[Ceremonial bowcaster]] used in ceremonial hunts.
  
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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==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
 
[[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]]'', 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.
 +
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. It was used by an [[Unknown mercenary faction]]
 +
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.
   
 
All Wookiee player characters in ''[[Star Wars Galaxies]]'' start with the ability to craft bowcasters.
  
All Wookiee player characters in ''[[Star Wars Galaxies]]'' start with the ability to craft bowcasters.
  +
  +
There are significant differences in this weapon's range presented in the ''[[Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition Core Rulebook]]'' that differ from the range as listed in the ''[[The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology]]''. Instead of an optimum and maximum range of 30 and 50 meters respectively, the Saga Edition treats the bowcaster as a rifle, giving it an optimum and maximum range 90 and 450 meters respectively. This is probably due to the fact that the role-playing game data is heavily simplified and modified for ease of play.
   
 
==Appearances==
  
==Appearances==
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*''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]''
  +
*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic: Rise of the Hutt Cartel]]''
  +
*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic: Shadow of Revan]]''
 
*''[[Jedi Apprentice: The Hidden Past]]''
  
*''[[Jedi Apprentice: The Hidden Past]]''
 
*''[[Jedi Quest: The Dangerous Games]]'' {{Mo}}
  
*''[[Jedi Quest: The Dangerous Games]]'' {{Mo}}
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*{{TCW|Bounty}}
  
*{{TCW|Bounty}}
 
*{{TCW|Eminence}}
  
*{{TCW|Eminence}}
  +
*{{TCW|An Old Friend}}
 
*[[Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures (video game)|''Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures'' video game]]
  
*[[Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures (video game)|''Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures'' video game]]
−
*''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]''
 +
*[[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith|''Star Wars'': Episode III ''Revenge of the Sith'']]
 
*[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (comics)|''Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'' comic]]
  
*[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (comics)|''Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'' comic]]
−
*''[[Star Wars: Republic: The Hidden Enemy]]''
 +
*''[[Star Wars: Republic: Hidden Enemy]]''
 
*''[[Descent]]''
  
*''[[Descent]]''
 
*''[[Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader]]''
  
*''[[Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader]]''
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*''[[Star Wars: Empire at War]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars: Empire at War]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars Journal: The Fight for Justice]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars Journal: The Fight for Justice]]''
−
*''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]'' {{1st}}
 +
*[[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''Star Wars'': Episode IV ''A New Hope'']] {{1st}}
 
*[[Star Wars (radio)|''Star Wars'' radio dramatization]] {{Mo}}
  
*[[Star Wars (radio)|''Star Wars'' radio dramatization]] {{Mo}}
  +
*''[[Star Wars: Assault Team]]''
  +
*''[[Scoundrel's Luck]]''
 
*{{SWG|An Empire Divided}}
  
*{{SWG|An Empire Divided}}
 
*''[[Rebel Force: Hostage]]''
 
*''[[Rebel Force: Hostage]]''
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*''[[Star Wars Missions 15: Voyage to the Underworld]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars Missions 15: Voyage to the Underworld]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars Adventures: Princess Leia and the Royal Ransom]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars Adventures: Princess Leia and the Royal Ransom]]''
  +
*''[[Black Ice (adventure book)|Black Ice]]''
 
*{{Journal|12|Idol Intentions}}
  
*{{Journal|12|Idol Intentions}}
−
*''[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back]]''
 +
*[[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''Star Wars'': Episode V ''The Empire Strikes Back'']]
 
*''[[Star Wars 42: The Empire Strikes Back: To Be a Jedi]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars 42: The Empire Strikes Back: To Be a Jedi]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars 43: The Empire Strikes Back: Betrayal at Bespin]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars 43: The Empire Strikes Back: Betrayal at Bespin]]''
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*''[[Star Wars 72: Fool's Bounty]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars 72: Fool's Bounty]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars 79: The Big Con]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars 79: The Big Con]]''
−
*''[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi]]''
 +
*[[Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi|''Star Wars'': Episode VI ''Return of the Jedi'']]
 
*[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (novel)|''Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi'' novel]]
  
*[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (novel)|''Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi'' novel]]
 
*[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (junior novelization)|''Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi'' junior novel]]
  
*[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (junior novelization)|''Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi'' junior novel]]
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*''[[The Crystal Star]]''
  
*''[[The Crystal Star]]''
 
*''[[Tatooine Ghost]]''
  
*''[[Tatooine Ghost]]''
−
*''[[Children of the Jedi]]''
 +
*''[[Children of the Jedi (novel)|Children of the Jedi]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy]]''
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{{Scroll box|content=
  
{{Scroll box|content=
 
*[[Star Wars (toy line)|''Star Wars'' toy line]]
  
*[[Star Wars (toy line)|''Star Wars'' toy line]]
−
*[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, First Edition|''Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game'', First Edition]]
 +
*''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game (first edition)|Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game]]''
 
*''[[The Star Wars Sourcebook]]''
  
*''[[The Star Wars Sourcebook]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars Campaign Pack]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars Campaign Pack]]''
−
*''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition]]''
 +
*''[[Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope]]''
  +
*''[[Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi]]''
  +
*''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Kit]]''
  +
*''[[Star Wars Miniatures Battles (first edition)|Star Wars Miniatures Battles]]''
  +
*''[[Heir to the Empire Sourcebook]]''
  +
*[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition|''Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game'', Second Edition]]
  +
*''[[Dark Force Rising Sourcebook]]''
  +
*''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Screen]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Handbook, Second Edition]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Handbook, Second Edition]]''
 
*[[Star Wars: The Power of the Force (1995)|''Star Wars: The Power of the Force'' (1995)]]
  
*[[Star Wars: The Power of the Force (1995)|''Star Wars: The Power of the Force'' (1995)]]
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded]]''
  +
*''[[Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook]]''
  +
*''[[The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire]]'' {{Po}}
 
*{{SOTE|cardname=Leia and Chewie Go Underground|link=http://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC040.jpg}} {{Po}}
  
*{{SOTE|cardname=Leia and Chewie Go Underground|link=http://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC040.jpg}} {{Po}}
 
*''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Screen, Revised]]'' <!-- December 1996 -->
  
*''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Screen, Revised]]'' <!-- December 1996 -->
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*''[[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]]''
−
*{{CCG|A New Hope Limited|link=anewhope/light/images/bowcaster.gif|cardname=Bowcaster}}
 +
*{{CCG|A New Hope Limited|link=ANewHope-Light/large/bowcaster.gif|cardname=Bowcaster}}
−
*{{CCG|Endor Limited|link=endor/light/images/chewbaccasbowcaster.gif|cardname=Chewbacca's Bowcaster}}
 +
*{{CCG|Endor Limited|link=Endor-Light/large/chewbaccasbowcaster.gif|cardname=Chewbacca's Bowcaster}}
 
*{{FFCite|16|BOW1-2, ''Chewbacca's Bowcaster''}}
  
*{{FFCite|16|BOW1-2, ''Chewbacca's Bowcaster''}}
 
*''[[Ultimate Adversaries]]''
  
*''[[Ultimate Adversaries]]''
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*''[[The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia]]''
  
*''[[The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia]]''
 
*{{InsiderCite|106|Han Solo: The Early Years}}
  
*{{InsiderCite|106|Han Solo: The Early Years}}
−
*''[[Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide]]''
 +
*''[[Star Wars Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide]]''
−
*''[[Roleplaying Game: Saga Edition Core Rulebook]]''
 +
*''[[Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition Core Rulebook]]''
 
*''[[The Unknown Regions]]''
  
*''[[The Unknown Regions]]''
 
*''[[Millennium Falcon Owner's Workshop Manual]]''
  
*''[[Millennium Falcon Owner's Workshop Manual]]''
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*''[[Star Wars: Force Collection]]'' {{C|Card: Chewbacca (★★★★)}} {{Po}}
  
*''[[Star Wars: Force Collection]]'' {{C|Card: Chewbacca (★★★★)}} {{Po}}
 
*{{DB|technology|bowcaster|Wookiee bowcaster}}
  
*{{DB|technology|bowcaster|Wookiee bowcaster}}
  +
*{{TORweb|url=info/news/news-article/20141124|text=New "Revan Returns" Trailer}}
  +
*''[[Republic Commando: Prima Official Game Guide]]''
  +
*{{LucasArtsCite|url=games/swrepubliccommando/hud.html|text=Star Wars Republic Commando|arc=20050225015322/http://lucasarts.com/games/swrepubliccommando/hud.html}}
 
}}
  
}}
   

Revision as of 23:11, 27 April 2015

Click here for Wookieepedia's article on the Canon version of this subject.  This article covers the Legends version of this subject. 

Warning: This infobox has missing parameters: crew and unrecognized parameters: color, era, imageBG


"I ain't afraid of Wookiees. It's their bowcasters that scare me."
―Anonymous Trandoshan slaver[src]

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[src]
Wookiee swg

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 to ten[2] explosive bolts per magazine. However some Wookiees developed a bowcaster that fired pure blaster bolts and no magazine was required.[1] A quiver of 10 quarrels cost 50 credits and weighed 1 kilogram.[2]

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.

File:Embo-TCWS02.jpg

Embo with his bowcaster variant

Bowcasters appeared huge to many non-Wookiees and even Jedi such as Olee Starstone doubted they 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. However, all Wookiees were able to wield their cultural weapon with proficiency.

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 egwt

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.

There are significant differences in this weapon's range presented in the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition Core Rulebook that differ from the range as listed in the The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology. Instead of an optimum and maximum range of 30 and 50 meters respectively, the Saga Edition treats the bowcaster as a rifle, giving it an optimum and maximum range 90 and 450 meters respectively. This is probably due to the fact that the role-playing game data is heavily simplified and modified for ease of play.

Appearances

Chewbacca - SWGTCG

Chewbacca with a bowcaster.

Non-canon appearances

Wiki-shrinkable
Explore all of Wookieepedia's [[:Category:{{{soundcat}}}|audio files]] for this article subject.

Sources

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, p. 52
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition Core Rulebook
  3. ↑ Star Wars: Behind the Magic
  4. ↑ Star Wars Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
  6. ↑ Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
  7. ↑ Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
  8. ↑ The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Databank title Wookiee bowcaster in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
  10. ↑ George Lucas Stole Chewbacca, But It's Okay at The Binary Bonsai
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