The E-Web was a heavy repeating blaster manufactured by BlasTech Industries. It was one of the most powerful repeating blasters in the Imperial arsenal, and had an optimum range of two-hundred meters with a maximum range of five-hundred meters. The full name is Emplacement Weapon, Heavy Blaster, but many users shortened this to E-Web. The original weapon was designed in a joint effort with Merr-Sonn Munitions, which produced the predecessor to the modern E-Web, the EWHB-10.

Contents 1 Characteristics 2 E-Web upgrades 3 History 3.1 Pre-Clone Wars 3.2 Clone Wars 3.3 Galactic Civil War 4 Behind the scenes 5 Appearances 6 Sources 7 References and notes 7.1 In other languages

CharacteristicsEdit

The weapon was able to be broken down into parts and carried by a small crew of troopers making it fairly mobile, but had to be rigidly mounted in order to counteract the effects of its incredible firepower. It took a relatively long amount of time to set up, and required two crew members for optimal effectiveness. One crewer manned the gun, and the other monitored and adjusted the Eksoan Class-4T3 power generator. Like many high-yield generators, the 4T3 was prone to overheating and potentially explosive overload, despite its advanced Gk3 Cryocooler cooling unit.^[1] Power was fed into the E-Web via a conduit that connects to the base of the TR-62 Autocushion Tripod. The built-in comlink with automatic encryption allowed for secured communication with other units. The computerized fire control and targeting system included infrared and StarVision low-light enhancement for use in night combat.

The long set-up time was the E-Web's primary limitation. If the 4T3 generator was "cold," it could take nearly fifteen minutes for the crew to deploy the weapon, calibrate the generator and configure the targeting software.^[1] Some Imperial crews pre-charged the generator before use for faster set-up, but this made it prone to power surges. Thus, the second crew member had to carefully adjust power flow to prevent an overload. Imperial Snowtroopers on Hoth were able to set up and fire an E-Web in a matter of seconds in this fashion.

A single soldier could operate the E-Web, but at greatly reduced efficiency. In such cases, the gunner chose a power generator preset mode, which greatly reduced the rate of fire, but kept the E-Web and its generator operating at safe temperatures. Its retail price was 8,000 credits, a small price to pay for the Empire.

E-Web upgradesEdit

There were several upgrades to the E-Web on the market, including the F-Web and the EWeb(15).

The F-Web added a small shield generator that was powerful enough to block fire from small sidearms such as blaster pistols. The shield offered good protection, but it required a third crew member to operate. This model was used primarily in the Corporate Sector.

The EWeb(15) was released the year after Emperor Palpatine's death. It offered improved fire control and targeting software. With the generator's auto configure setting, the weapon could be set up in less than five minutes. The cooling system was also upgraded to the advanced Gk7 Cryocooler offering increased power flow into the weapon without the risk of overheating. This allowed continuous fire for up to one hour. Many EWeb(15) units were equipped with a shield generator.

The E-web rifle was a portable version of the E-Web heavy repeating blaster.

HistoryEdit

Pre-Clone WarsEdit

The E-Web was used by Granta Omega in an attempt to murder Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. The weapon overheated and exploded, severely wounding Omega.^[5]

Clone WarsEdit

The EWHB-12 heavy repeating blaster was used by clone commandos as a distraction to infiltrate a Separatist nanovirus facility on Qiilura that was producing a nanovirus capable of killing all clones.^[6] It was also used in the Battle of Praesitlyn.^[2]

Galactic Civil WarEdit

Stormtroopers set up E-Webs to defend backwater worlds.^[7]

During the Galactic Civil War, Rebel Commander Luke Skywalker took control of an E-Web to shoot down an Armored Personnel Carrier carrying the captured defector, Tycho Celchu. Soon after, he took control of one on a CR90 corvette to eliminate boarding stormtroopers.^[8]

The E-Webs also saw use at the Battle of Hoth^[9] in 3 ABY^[10], in a battle on Geonosis,^[8] and the Battle of the Cliffs.^[11]

It was used on Tatooine in 8 ABY by stormtroopers trying to prevent the Millennium Falcon from escaping. Chewbacca blasted the troopers with an on-board laser cannon before they could set up the E-Web.^[4]

Behind the scenesEdit

The E-Web's first appearance in Star Wars canon was in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. The E-Webs have appeared in LEGO form, both in real life and in LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game.

AppearancesEdit

Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds Jedi Quest: The Final Showdown Republic Commando: Hard Contact Republic Commando: True Colors Shatterpoint Jedi Trial Order 66: A Republic Commando Novel "Decision: Almas" "Decision: Cularin" Star Wars: Dark Times: Parallels  The Traitor's Gambit on Wizards.com (original article link, backup links on Archive.org)  The Gem of Alderaan on Wizards.com (original article link, backup links on Archive.org) The Last of the Jedi: Against the Empire Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Rebel Dawn (As heavy repeating blaster) Star Wars: Empire 6: Princess... Warrior, Part 2 Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike Rookies: No Turning Back Star Wars: Empire 17: To the Last Man, Part 2 Star Wars: Empire 18: To the Last Man, Part 3  Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided Allegiance (Mentioned only) The Bounty Hunter Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back radio drama (Mentioned only) Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back novel (First appearance) Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Star Wars 41: The Empire Strikes Back: Imperial Pursuit Star Wars: Battlefront II LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (Non-canonical appearance) LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Non-canonical appearance) Shadows of the Empire game Gathering Shadows X-wing Rogue Squadron: The Rebel Opposition X-wing Rogue Squadron: In the Empire's Service Tatooine Ghost X-wing: Wedge's Gamble (as E-Web heavy blaster cannon) X-wing: The Krytos Trap Hutt and Seek Crisis of Faith The Last Command X-wing: Isard's Revenge Dark Empire II Crimson Empire The Bounty Hunters: Kenix Kil Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood I, Jedi Rebel Jedi Crimson Empire III: Empire Lost 3 Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Invincible

SourcesEdit

• Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back toy line
• Imperial Sourcebook
• Imperial Sourcebook, Second Edition
• Han Solo and the Corporate Sector Sourcebook
• Rebel Alliance Sourcebook, Second Edition
• Star Wars: The Power of the Force (1995)
• Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded
• The Far Orbit Project
• Star Wars Gamemaster Screen, Revised
• Star Wars: Behind the Magic
• Star Wars Roleplaying Game
• The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
• Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary
• Star Wars: The Action Figure Archive
• Star Wars Customizable Card Game – Hoth Limited (Card: E-web Blaster)
• Star Wars Customizable Card Game – Hoth Limited (Card: Imperial Supply) (Picture only)
• Star Wars Trading Card Game – The Empire Strikes Back (Card: Precise Attack) (Picture only)
• Star Wars Trading Card Game – The Empire Strikes Back (Card: Snowtrooper Heavy Weapons Team)
• Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide
• The Official Star Wars Fact File 26 (BLA7-8, E-Web Repeating Blaster)
• Star Wars: The Official Starships & Vehicles Collection 10
• The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
• Scavenger's Guide to Droids
• Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game – The Nightsister's Revenge (Card: E-Web Heavy Repeating Blaster)
•  Heavy repeating blaster in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link on Archive.org)
• The Essential Guide to Warfare

References and notesEdit