Micro-Disruptor
This device is, in essence, a simple Explosively pumped flux compression generator, albeit somewhat miniaturized, with an onboard starter and a magnetic attachment disk. It consists of a disc about the size of a dinner plate, from which protrudes a thick, rounded peg of about half the diameter, about a hand's length.
The disc is magnetized and attaches easily to ferromagnetic objects. A simple control panel allows for instant or timed activation. When activated, the disruptor fires its payload, causing a massive, directed Electromagnetic Pulse. This pulse is capable of disabling or destroying electronic devices.
Results may vary, but in general:
- The disruptor will destroy any unshielded computer or otherwise sensitive device of up to Large size, and disable a computer up to Gargantuan size.
- Against a larger computer, it will cause penalties to Computer Use checks:
- Colossal: -20
- Computer core of a ship of size Colossal (frigate): -15
- Computer core of a ship of size Colossal (cruiser): -10
- Computer core of a ship of size Colossal (station): -5
- Removing the penalty requires repair.
- Against a larger computer, it will cause penalties to Computer Use checks:
- The effect of shielding varies. Typically, shields are conductive barriers between the outermost shell of a computer and its inner workings. Gaining access to the sensitive electronics negates the effect of shields.
- Droids are treated as computers of the same size. Utility droids are usually treated as non-shielded, while battle droids are shielded, granting an effective bonus of one size category.
- Instead of a Computer Use penalty, droids suffer the listed penalty to all checks until repaired.
- Fixing the magnetic disk onto an active, unwilling droid requires an unarmed attack at -5 vs Reflex.
- Some droids (including many battle droids of high quality) have non-magnetic armor plating.
- If a timer is used, the droid can simply pass a DC 10 Slicing or Mechanics check to disable the device before it explodes.
- The device relies on a high explosive for its power source. Thus, in addition to the EMP, it also causes a close burst 3, inflicting 4d8 explosive kinetic damage.
- Using this device on a vehicle has various results.
- The blast is highly directed, directing its pulse in a focused cone opposite the charge (the "peg") and perpendicular to the magnetic plate. If the blast does not strike any sensitive electronics, it will not have any significant effect.
- To properly target a sensitive area within a vehicle (such as its engine or computer core) by mounting the device outside its hull, you must pass a Knowledge (Technology) or Mechanics check, DC 25. Each 5 points of failure grants the vehicle an effective +1 to size.
- The components within a vehicle are not the same size as the vehicle itself, but are assumed to be two sizes smaller. Thus, the computer core of a Huge vehicle is only Medium.
- However, vehicles with armor (such as military vehicles) are treated as shielded, gaining +1 effective size category. Furthermore, especially bulky vehicles have a large amount of non-sensitive material within their hulls, further increasing the effective size.