Questions tagged [weapons]
For questions about existing weapons or designing new ones.
1,237
questions
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0answers
28 views
Robot Ruled Planet [closed]
I am attempting to build a fictional world similar to earth however global warming is not really a problem. However there is a twist. Combative Robotics rule the world controlled by me. The materials ...
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0answers
48 views
How many shots from a blowgun dart does it take to incapacity someone? [closed]
So in my story a thief with a knife broke into a house. The person in the house has a typical blowgun. If how many darts does it take to incapacity the thief long enough for the person with blowgun to ...
1
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3answers
122 views
Shoulder Mounted Weapon Design in a dieselpunk/ww1 time period
In my setting a large city state has been cut off from the rest of civilization through the appearance of a large alien forest that sprouted up during the medieval times and cut off the city state ...
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15answers
1k views
Which situations would justify powered armor?
The problem with powered armor is that it is often approached backwards when compared to real design principles. Instead of finding a problem that is best solved with powered armor, most approaches ...
4
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3answers
217 views
Black Hole Weapons - Laser/Particle Beam?
First post here, but longtime lurker :3
My question is this: if you have a civilization that is using black holes as a battery/pseudo power source, and they want to weaponize it -without- shooting the ...
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1answer
82 views
Is my Plasma Gun concept realistic? And if not what can I do to make it more feasible?
I'm a university student so I have a relatively limited knowledge of such physics concepts, however I have researched fusion reactors and ion engines, both theories I incorporated into my design.
...
3
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8answers
401 views
What's The Most Dangerous Chemicals I Can Make From Air?
Let's say that I have a special sword that has macroscopic maximum thickness, and has a minimum thickness of 1 atom. It's also incredibly wear-resistant, which would make it usable. Let's say that I ...
13
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9answers
5k views
I want to build a weapon targeting Interstellar distances. How viable are railguns?
I am in a timeline which would be tens of thousands of years advanced from yours, and humans have colonized a significant portion of the stellar neighborhood, multiple thousand light-years across (...
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4answers
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What would happen if 250 nuclear weapons were detonated within Owens Valley in California?
(NO CIA/FBI/NSA IM NOT A TERRORIST ARMED WITH 250 STOLEN/UNACCOUNTED FOR NUKES)
I’m writing a Godzilla fanfiction and in it, while Godzilla was doing Godzilla things on the West Coast (destroying ...
3
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2answers
151 views
What would the fighting style of someone wielding a longsword-like arm blade look like?
I have this character who was a skilled swordswoman who fought using a longsword until she lost her left arm in a brutal battle which later replaced with a magical prosthetic arm forged from an ...
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4answers
321 views
How can the enchantment of luxury goods survive natural obsolescence?
In the land of Dorn, there is an entire industry involving the wholesale of magical items. This industry employs individuals experienced in the art of magecraft to enchant mundane items or weapons and ...
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10answers
4k views
What kind of deadly ranged weapon can pixies use against humans?
Description of pixies
As heavy as a standard golf ball.
As big as official ping pong ball.
Humanoid but have a pair of wings for flight.
Prefer to live in forested areas.
Eats fruits and insects.
...
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2answers
178 views
How to keep explosive projectiles without propellants?
In the world i'm making, humans are physically incapable of producing propellants. Why? Because their God won't allow it. That doesn't mean humans stop searching for better ways to kill each other. So ...
5
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4answers
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What is a realistic maximum velocity of a coilgun round from a 100 m barrel?
I'm interested to know what is the maximum realistic muzzle velocity of a coilgun with a 100m barrel length. Round is a solid KE penetrator.
I'm asking from a viewpoint using known physics and ...
6
votes
1answer
634 views
How many gs could a coilgun or railgun shell withstand?
I've been reading up on coilguns and railguns, and it got me to thinking about space combat with railguns or coilguns.
I assumed that such space combat would involve ships in somewhat circular orbits ...
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3answers
97 views
A gun camouflaged as nerf shooters? [closed]
So I thought about the possibility of an assassination in my story where the assassin camouflaged his gun as a nerf blaster. would that be possible?
0
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0answers
49 views
What are some realistic defenses against laser weapons in space? [duplicate]
In a mostly-realistic sci-fi setting (similar to the Expanse) there are spaceships, satellites, and drones who make use of high-powered lasers for weaponry - both for attack and for point defense.
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3answers
192 views
What weapon would be most effective [closed]
EDIT
I have decided to remove this question as it might affect young people searching online
Apologies to those who have already answered or spent time researching.
I may rewrite the question ...
asked Feb 22 at 23:42
chasly - supports Monica
45.3k12 gold badges134 silver badges281 bronze badges
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8answers
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Wattage of Laser Rifle
Looking for a ballpark estimate of the wattage of a pulse laser that would do a similar amount of damage as a .22 LR round. Something farmers would use for pest control. This is for flavor in a far-...
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4answers
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What are things to consider and keep in mind when making a heavily fortified and militarized border?
Here are some maps for reference
For some context, in my world, from 2030-2040, an event known as the Great Collapse saw the human race pushed towards the brink of extinction due to Unidentified ...
0
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2answers
192 views
What would a laser gun realistically look like? [closed]
I'm writing a science fiction book where laser gun are a common weapon. The idea being that the combatative capabilities come more from the laser ionizing the air and reacting with whatever it 'hits' (...
7
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4answers
351 views
Could medieval technology/materials take advantage of superhuman strength for muscle-powered weaponry?
Could muscle-powered weapons be made to take advantage of superhuman strength, or Would material limitations get in the way?
Assuming:
a Viking Age (say 800-1000AD) level of technology
materials ...
0
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1answer
170 views
Why Would An Adventurer Use A Literal Sword Frog? [closed]
After seeing this question Why would an adventurer use a sword frog? I must admit I was a bit disappointed, though I understand it was a legitimate question. Understandably enough, I thought the ...
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2answers
87 views
Would a full plastic gun work? [duplicate]
So a pretty simple question. Excusing and firing springs/pins and the propellant and primer. The gun must be able to work for at least 100-200 rounds without destroying itself. Could a make a gun ...
9
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11answers
1k views
Optimal weapon for use by a blademancer [closed]
Background
What are blademancers?
Blademancers are mages (going by the definition "Anyone who uses magic", and not "old man who wears a pointy hat and carries a staff") who can ...
15
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10answers
2k views
Metal or alloy for special sword
A unique sword is to be forged for the hero, a human-dragon hybrid. Forged in the dragonfire of his draconic father... I don't actually think it would be much different than a sword from a regular ...
5
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6answers
1k views
Designing a Rogue's Dagger
As evident by the title, this is a Class-related system. So, what exactly do I mean by "Rogue's Dagger?" Simple-a dagger made for a Rogue. Small, easily concealable (size of a dinner knife? ...
20
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8answers
3k views
What would “medieval” weapons made by birds look like [duplicate]
I previously made a post about vehicles for birds. Now I want to know what their equivalent to swords, spears and other weapons would look like? I based the birds off of corvids, like ravens and crows....
2
votes
4answers
142 views
What Kind of weapon would create a scar like this? [closed]
Does anyone know what kind of weapon could make a jagged scar from the middle of your shoulder to just where your wrist starts?
1
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5answers
167 views
Dragons are supposed to have a “smart” breath weapon. How could that work?
So, I was just writing up the introduction for my races:
"Even with their innate fragility, bird people sport impressive talons
and wings that allow them to scale almost any obstacle. Thanks to
...
1
vote
6answers
224 views
Weapons for people who travel on all fours?
In a medieval (Europe) fantasy world where a race of humans have the ability to move on all fours-- what, if any, weapons would they use to fight?
They are human in every sense of the word. They can ...
11
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6answers
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Spacecraft-mounted weapons, in style
So I'm aware that the usual hard sci-fi array of spacecraft weapons generally includes self-guided missiles, rail guns, lasers, etc.
However, in keeping with this spirit of hard science, I've ...
2
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3answers
97 views
Warhammer homonculi grow edged weapons out of their own bodies. What should those be made out of?
As I mentioned before, dragons would be too goofy, werewolves are closer to oversized dogs, while lizardfolk are now finally part of the standard fantasy races. These creatures are more cool than ...
19
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10answers
5k views
How to kill an alien with a decentralized organ system?
I had a cool but not so original idea: aliens with many many redundant organs, and a nervous system spread across their bodies. This creates some issues. How do I kill one?
What the Alien is like:
The ...
0
votes
1answer
102 views
Bathroom Mirror vs Eye Lasers
There is this scene where the main good girl is fighting the big bad alone. The big bad fires his eye lasers at the good girl, who uses a bathroom mirror to reflect the rays. The big bad can control ...
4
votes
6answers
244 views
What armament would be best for a 21st century airship?
So I am writing a story with 21st century airships. They replace all heavier than air flight and there are extensive “sky navies”. The airships are able to carry 150,000 pounds of whatever you want ...
7
votes
9answers
259 views
How could the sword be a viable weapon against modern technology, with the advantage of science-based superpowers?
The atmosphere in the Judging Hall was stretched so thin that it seemed like it would snap at the slightest blink of an eye. On one side of the hall sat the Master Judge and his guards, his hand ...
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2answers
107 views
Swallowing Multiple Grenades
Okay, there's a character who is force-fed multiple grenades. The resulting explosion does severe damage to their body, but doesn't completely destroy them, and their healing factor fixes all of the ...
7
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11answers
2k views
Why would humans still duel like cowboys in the 21st century?
So I have a story about a world where honor is the most important thing and where if someone insults you... duel to the death. Most often this is peacefully resolved but when duels happen I want a ...
1
vote
4answers
148 views
Missile warheads in space?
So I am thinking about space battles in my universe. The main weapons on my ships will be missiles/torpedos. Which of these would be the most effective warhead:
Tungsten shotguns. The missile closes ...
22
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11answers
5k views
What would cause a culture to keep a distinct weapon for centuries?
Imagine you have the stereotypical mysterious nation across the ocean. Their mercenaries are sometimes contracted into your army. They dress weird, talk with an accent, and have really odd weapons. ...
13
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8answers
577 views
Realistic space battle distances?
Distance in space battles is a crucial variable that affects the tactics and outcomes. With the following tech what is a reasonable distance for battles to be engaged:
Engines:
Fusion drives with max ...
28
votes
11answers
5k views
Reason to use tridents over other weapons?
So, I wanted one of my species in a world of mine to primarily use tridents as their weapons. I'm not sure of their location outside of a mesa. I did a little research and tridents were indeed used in ...
6
votes
6answers
175 views
Best shotgun rounds for space boardings?
Here's the gist, my power armoured marines are going to be equipped with full-auto 8 gauge shotguns (in other words a quarter bigger then your average 12 guage shotgun). Now the marines are much more ...
5
votes
2answers
207 views
How Precisely Can a Space Cannon be Targeted?
If I have spaceships that are firing some variety of cannon at each other - MAC, laser, particle cannon, doesn't really matter the type - at extreme range, then even if the gun itself were somehow ...
6
votes
3answers
176 views
Shape of a Large Battle Laser?
If I have lasers being used as a primary weapon for spaceships in a realistic sci-fi setting, what would the proportions of the laser cannon itself be? Presumably the cannon would be cylindrical, but ...
2
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5answers
197 views
Which boarding option is easier?
So in my books I have a couple of boardings. Some of my previous questions make that clear. So I was wondering...
Is it better to:
A: use the available railgun tech to kill easier and just plug the ...
4
votes
5answers
213 views
Could I design a bolt action rifle during a period similar to the medieval age (with light magical assistance)? [duplicate]
Writing a fantasy story where my protag has knowledge of modern day Earth technology. Magic also exists but it can't just create things in and out of existence and uses the body's energy for it to ...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
Could an evaporating micro-black hole serve as a useful weapon?
According to Wikipedia and Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time, micro-black holes are expected to evaporate quickly due to Hawking radiation, releasing a burst of final emission equivalent to ...
4
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4answers
494 views
Scientifically Plausible Ranged Pain-inducing Weapon?
So, one of my characters was meant to be a Mr.Godcomplex type of guy, complete with the "Spare the child, spoil the rod" mentality towards his underlings and a penchant for making examples ...
