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In a galaxy far, far away....
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Changes: Bowcaster

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{{Eras}}
  
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{{VIIspoiler}}
 
{{Weapon
  
{{Weapon
 
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|era=
 
|affiliation=* [[Galactic Republic]]<ref name="Episode III">[[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith|''Star Wars'': Episode III ''Revenge of the Sith'']]</ref>
  
|affiliation=* [[Galactic Republic]]<ref name="Episode III">[[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith|''Star Wars'': Episode III ''Revenge of the Sith'']]</ref>
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* [[Alliance to Restore the Republic]]<ref name="Episode IV">[[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''Star Wars'': Episode IV ''A New Hope'']]</ref>}}
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* [[Alliance to Restore the Republic]]<ref name="Episode IV">[[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''Star Wars'': Episode IV ''A New Hope'']]</ref>
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*[[New Republic]]<ref name="Aftermath">''[[Aftermath]]''</ref>
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A '''bowcaster''' was a type of traditional, hand-crafted projectile weapon commonly used by [[Wookiee]]s.
  
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*[[Resistance]]<ref name="Episode VII" />}}
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A '''bowcaster''', also known as a '''laser crossbow''',<ref name="TFAVD">''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary]]''</ref> was a type of traditional, handcrafted projectile weapon commonly used by [[Wookiee]]s.
   
 
==Description==
  
==Description==
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Through the use of magnetic acceleration, bowcasters were more powerful and accurate than the average [[blaster]]. Designs differed through the materials used and the creator's artistic approach, although the end result was visually similar to a crossbow-like weapon.<ref name="Bowcaster"/>
  
Through the use of magnetic acceleration, bowcasters were more powerful and accurate than the average [[blaster]]. Designs differed through the materials used and the creator's artistic approach, although the end result was visually similar to a crossbow-like weapon.<ref name="Bowcaster"/>
   
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The weapon used metal quarrels enveloped with energy as ammunition. Two polarizing orbs, balanced on each end of the bow, created a magnetic field that boosted the quarrel's momentum. Once the cocking spring was pulled back, the trigger fired the quarrel, which was charged with [[plasma]] energy.
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The weapon used metal [[quarrel]]s enveloped with [[plasma]] energy<ref name="Bowcaster" /> as ammunition.<ref name="Ultimate Star Wars" /> Two [[Alternating polarizer|polarizing orbs]], balanced on each end of the bow, created a [[Magnetic field/Canon|magnetic field]] that boosted the quarrel's momentum. Once the cocking spring was pulled back, the trigger fired the quarrel, which was enveloped in plasma energy.<ref name="Ultimate Star Wars" />
   
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The latest known bowcaster that Wookiee warrior and [[Alliance to Restore the Republic|Rebel]] hero [[Chewbacca]] created was during the era of the [[Galactic Empire]]. It was an unconventional design, as Chewbacca had used the frame and power pack of a [[stormtrooper]] blaster.<ref name="Ultimate Star Wars" /> Additionally, Chewbacca's weapon was also fitted with an automatic cocking system, which traditional models lacked.<ref name="AbEverything">''[[Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know]]''</ref>
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The latest known bowcaster that Wookiee warrior and [[Alliance to Restore the Republic|Rebel]] hero [[Chewbacca]] created was during the era of the [[Galactic Empire]]. It was an unconventional design, as Chewbacca had used the frame and [[Power cell/Canon|power pack]] of a [[stormtrooper]] blaster.<ref name="Ultimate Star Wars" /> Additionally, [[Chewbacca's bowcaster|Chewbacca's weapon]] was also fitted with an automatic cocking system, which traditional models lacked.<ref name="AbEverything">''[[Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know]]''</ref>
   
  +
Bowcasters were much more powerful than standard [[blaster rifle]]s, meaning few [[human]]s were capable of carrying one around, let alone hold it level and steady for a precise shot.<ref name="beware">''[[Return of the Jedi: Beware the Power of the Dark Side!]]''</ref> To fire comfortably, the strength of a Wookiee was required.<ref name="TFAVD" /> However, this statistic was challenged by [[Han Solo]] on numerous occasions during the [[First Order–Resistance conflict]], in which he became fond of the weapon after using it in a [[Skirmish aboard the Eravana|skirmish]] on board the ''[[Eravana]]'' and later in a [[Battle on Takodana|battle]] on [[Takodana]].<ref name="Episode VII">[[Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens|''Star Wars'': Episode VII ''The Force Awakens'']]</ref>
   
 
== History ==
  
== History ==
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*[[Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens|''Star Wars'': Episode VII ''The Force Awakens'']]
  
*[[Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens|''Star Wars'': Episode VII ''The Force Awakens'']]
 
*[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens (novel)|''Star Wars'': Episode VII ''The Force Awakens'' novelization]]
  
*[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens (novel)|''Star Wars'': Episode VII ''The Force Awakens'' novelization]]
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*[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens (junior novelization)|''Star Wars'': Episode VII ''The Force Awakens'' junior novelization]]
 
*''[[Han & Chewie Return!]]''
  
*''[[Han & Chewie Return!]]''
   
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* ''[[Ultimate Star Wars]]''
  
* ''[[Ultimate Star Wars]]''
 
*{{SW|url=/games-apps/star-wars-galactic-defense|text=Star Wars: Galactic Defense}}
  
*{{SW|url=/games-apps/star-wars-galactic-defense|text=Star Wars: Galactic Defense}}
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*''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary]]'' {{1stID|laser crossbow}}
 
*{{Databank|bowcaster|Bowcaster}}
  
*{{Databank|bowcaster|Bowcaster}}
 
*{{Databank|chewbacca|Chewbacca}}
  
*{{Databank|chewbacca|Chewbacca}}

Revision as of 03:54, 23 January 2016

This article covers the Canon version of this subject.  Click here for Wookieepedia's article on the Legends version of this subject. 
Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker

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A bowcaster, also known as a laser crossbow,[7] was a type of traditional, handcrafted projectile weapon commonly used by Wookiees.

Description

Bowcaster-SW

A side view of a bowcaster

Through the use of magnetic acceleration, bowcasters were more powerful and accurate than the average blaster. Designs differed through the materials used and the creator's artistic approach, although the end result was visually similar to a crossbow-like weapon.[2]

The weapon used metal quarrels enveloped with plasma energy[2] as ammunition.[1] Two polarizing orbs, balanced on each end of the bow, created a magnetic field that boosted the quarrel's momentum. Once the cocking spring was pulled back, the trigger fired the quarrel, which was enveloped in plasma energy.[1]

The latest known bowcaster that Wookiee warrior and Rebel hero Chewbacca created was during the era of the Galactic Empire. It was an unconventional design, as Chewbacca had used the frame and power pack of a stormtrooper blaster.[1] Additionally, Chewbacca's weapon was also fitted with an automatic cocking system, which traditional models lacked.[8]

Bowcasters were much more powerful than standard blaster rifles, meaning few humans were capable of carrying one around, let alone hold it level and steady for a precise shot.[9] To fire comfortably, the strength of a Wookiee was required.[7] However, this statistic was challenged by Han Solo on numerous occasions during the First Order–Resistance conflict, in which he became fond of the weapon after using it in a skirmish on board the Eravana and later in a battle on Takodana.[6]

History

Bowcasters were based on ancient weapons from Wookiee history that fired poisoned darts and arrows.[1]

During the Clone Wars, the bounty hunter Embo used a bowcaster as his favored weapon.[10] At the end of the war, bowcasters were also used in the Battle of Kashyyyk.[3] Chewbacca crafted several of them over time.[1]

Appearances

Sources

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Ultimate Star Wars
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 StarWars-DatabankII Bowcaster in the Databank (backup link)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
  4. ↑ Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
  5. ↑ Aftermath
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary
  8. ↑ Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know
  9. ↑ Return of the Jedi: Beware the Power of the Dark Side!
  10. ↑ TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Bounty Hunters"
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