Ion Blaster
Type	Main Gun
Available From	ARG ALI DUK YAK
Fitted To	Small and Medium ships
Role	Anti-Shield, Anti-Capital
Required License	Military License (+10)

In-game Description

This Argon weapon was designed to be an effective anti-shield measure, carried by small and medium-sized ships. While the electrically charged particles it dispenses will eat through a shield in a remarkably short time, the velocity of the projectile itself is not quite as impressive. For this reason, and the fact that the projectiles are not as damaging once the target's shields have dropped and the projectiles are hitting the ship's hull, the Ion Blaster is often used by the first wave of vanguard ships. It is also effective when used in combination with weapons that are more suited to penetrating the hull.

The technology behind this weapon was developed by the Argon Navy's Research and Development team, in cooperation with Jinko-Tekina Technologies. Their goal was to replicate the Boron-made Ion weapon technology, to which the Argon had lost all access during the Jump Gate shutdown. Their success was mixed; although they managed to apply the technology to make Blasters suitable for small ships, their team struggled to develop something suitable for outfitting larger vessels.

The Mk2 variant offers a significant boost in damage against shields, but actually deals less damage to a ship's hull than the Mk1, making it an even more specialised weapon.

Tactical Overview

The Ion Blaster is a support weapon designed to break shields and, as such, one of the first weapons with different damage values for shields and hulls.

As one would expect, the damage to shields is very impressive. A single Small Mk2 can almost defeat the shield regeneration of a Xenon K!
The damage against the exposed hull is non-existent, though, meaning the Ion Blaster can't destroy ships. Or it will take a very, very long time, at least.

With high precision, a medium rate of fire, and a slow to medium projectile speed, pilots can use the Ion Blaster effectively against most targets. But it performs exceptionally well against capital ships.
Fighters will lose their shielding within seconds. Medium shields won't last that much longer. 

The Ion Blaster would work very well with heavy missiles or torpedos when engaging capital ships. The Ion Blaster will quickly strip the shields, and the missiles will vaporize the hull.

Specifications

Construction Cost

Universal Build Method