- "You need a blaster with enough punch."
- ―Padmé Amidala, on her ELG-3A
The ELG-3A blaster pistol, also known as the Naboo royal pistol[1] or the royal blaster pistol[7] was a model of diplomatic[3] hold-out blaster pistol manufactured by Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc., and also attributed to SoroSuub Corporation. The Queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala, used an ELG-3A blaster pistol during the Battle of Naboo, as did several of her Handmaidens. The Q2 variation had shortened barrels, with two of these blasters were kept in a secret compartment of the Queen's throne in the Theed Royal Palace, which came in useful as last resort weapons.
Description[]
The ELG-3A was a lightweight, elegant, and functional hold-out blaster pistol designed for practical use and easy concealment.[1] It was a small, sleek weapon with a polished chrome finish and a wooden grip,[4] and fired green[4] or blue bolts, as well as a stun setting.[8] The slim blaster was fired using a snap trigger, which required a firm squeeze to prevent misfires.[1]
History[]
The ELG-3A became practically a standard accessory for diplomats and nobles in need of a personal sidearm. Padmé Amidala and her Naboo Royal Handmaidens carried these blasters,[1] and utilized the weapons during the Battle of Naboo.[4] Despite its small size, the ELG-3A packed a punch, and was able to destroy a BX-series droid commando with a headshot despite the droid's titanium-reinforced steel heavy armor.
As Senator of Naboo, Amidala carried this blaster during the period leading up to and during the Clone Wars. Amidala wielded an ELG-3A during missions to Naboo,[9] the Coruscant Underworld,[10] and when she was under threat of assassination on Alderaan, getting the jump on bounty hunter Aurra Sing and stunning her with a single shot.[8]
Behind the scenes[]
Ultimate Star Wars cites the weapon's manufacturer as Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc., although also credits it as a SoroSuub ELG-3A. In Legends material, the blaster was a SoroSuub spin-off of the Merr-Sonn product, the Q2 hold-out blaster pistol, although no such explanation has appeared in canon so far.
Appearances[]
Sources[]
- "Destroy Malevolence" Episode Guide | The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link) (Picture only)
- Padmé Amidala in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Ultimate Star Wars
- Star Wars: Card Trader (Card: ELG-3A Blaster Pistol - The Armory) (First identified as ELG-3A blaster pistol)
- Star Wars Helmet Collection 13 (Highlights of the Saga: The Battle for Naboo) (Picture only)
- Star Wars Forces of Destiny: Meet the Heroes
- Star Wars: Geektionary: The Galaxy from A - Z
- Star Wars Helmet Collection 54 (Helmets: Naboo Royal Guard) (Picture only)
- Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition
- Gadgets and Gear
- Star Wars: The Galactic Explorer's Guide
- The Star Wars Book
- "Blasters and Ranged Weapons" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Star Wars: The Secrets of the Sith (Picture only)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Ultimate Star Wars
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Star Wars: Card Trader (Card: ELG-3A Blaster Pistol - The Armory)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Blasters and Ranged Weapons" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
- ↑ Gadgets and Gear
- ↑ Thrawn: Alliances
- ↑ Padmé Amidala in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Assassin"
- ↑ Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Blue Shadow Virus"
- ↑ Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Senate Murders"