Energy weapons
From System Shock 2 Wiki
Laser Pistol
The laser pistol requires an Energy Weapons skill of 1. The first modification to this weapon increases the energy capacity, while the second reduces the energy consumption - both modifications increase the damage. The deadlier cousin of the Sparq Pistol, the Apollo H4 Laser Pistol relies on refracted light instead of electricity to damage its target. While it has a fairly large battery, the weapon must be replenished at a recharge station. The overcharge setting can be used to get out of a tight spot, but puts an inordinate strain on the unit's energy supply.
Laser Rapier
A brutally effective melee weapon, the laser rapier requires an Agility of 3 and an Energy Weapons skill of 4 in order to use. Far more effective than the prototype model first developed on Citadel Station in 2072, the Mark IV laser rapier is a much more reliable piece of technology. The unit works by projecting a porous field of reflective material in a shaft shaped region around the base of the rapier. When the material is bent (as when the rapier strikes a target) the intense refracted light inside is released locally, causing intense burns to the target. "That's right, just like the one the Hacker used on Citadel Station! We're the only one in town who's got `em! Only 40 nanites!" - Street vendor selling Laser Rapier replicas in New Detroit.
Electro Magnetic Pulse Rifle
The EMP rifle requires an Energy Weapons skill of 6. The first modification to this weapon increases its energy capacity, while the second increases the speed of a shot and reduces energy consumption. Additionally, both modifications increase the weapon's damage. "When the first atomic weapons were tested in the middle of the 20th century, it was noted that not only did the weapons themselves do catastrophic damage, the electro-magnetic pulse they released coincident with the blast effectively neutralized most electronic devices for miles. Once this pulse was isolated, one could cultivate its benefits without the unpleasantness inherent in a nuclear fireball." - Dr. Edward Chung, Chief Technological Officer, TriOptimum Research.
