History Main / EnergyWeapon

* ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' has unlockable skins for most of the weapon powersets based on this trope. The Talsorian blades, available from Vanguard, are tintable blades of energy available for [[CoolSword Broad Sword]], [[KatanasAreJustBetter Katana]], Battle Axe, [[DualWielding Dual Blades]], and Archery (and TrickArrow) powersets. Yes, there's a Talsorian ''bow''. But '''not''' a [[DropTheHammer mace or hammer]], for stylistic reasons (which the developers have justified with self-aware {{Technobabble}}).

** Season 1 BigBad Nox once fashioned dual wakfu [[DropTheHammer war-hammers]] for his battle with the dragon Grougaloragran.

* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'': This is a specific kind of skill in all games of the series. Laser and plasma weapons are generally more powerful than conventional guns, with the tradeoff of less available ammunition. ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' presented a different tradeoff; in exchange for ammo that could be very easily found and converted using the game's crafting system, the tradeoff became the loss of stealth ability; energy weapons are the only weapons besides [[StuffBlowingUp explosive]] that can't be silenced.

* ''Zegapain'' not only has weapons made from light, but also armor made from light. Result: a cool-looking glow on the mechs.

* The Third Angel (Sachiel) in ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' came equipped with what was essentially an energy ''spear''. The Fourth Angel (Shamshiel) had energy whips in place of "arms". In a typical ''Evangelion'' subversion, the Evas themselves had nothing but giant-sized versions of mundane weapons to work with -- and even then, no swords, only knives (sonic knives, though), spears (The Lance of Longinus, to boot) and guns (really big guns, larger than your average ship based artillery cannon). The only time an Eva got to wield an Energy Weapon, it was a [[{{BFG}} monstrous particle beam sniper rifle]] that sucked down the entire power output of Japan to fuel a single shot.
** There is actually a second version, designed specifically to be used by an Eva mentioned as not being powerful enough to damage the 5th Angel. The only time it sees use is against the 15th Angel... right before it {{Mind Rape}}s Asuka making the few shots she does get off go wildly astray.

* The Eridian Cannon and Mega Cannon from VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}
** All Eridian weapons fire energy projectiles (with infinite ammo). One can argue that electrical damage weapons are also energy weapons, but those consume "normal" bullets, so who knows.
** ''Videogame/{{Borderlands 2}}'' introduces E-Tech weapons, guns made via the Eridian tech above. Depending on what type of gun, they either fire off plasma blasts, lasers or blobs of energy.

** In ''Videogame/Borderlands3'', all Maliwan weapons are now energy weapons that fire out balls of energy.
* In ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'', the Vampire Killer is often lampooned by cynics for its ability to destroy vampires (among other evil creatures), in spite of the fact that it is only a whip/long morningstar (depending on game and power level). However, The Vampire Killer's true form is shown in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaBloodlines'', where, when powered up to its full potential, it manifests as a light whip.

* The ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'' series tends to include some of these, like the Beam Javelin, Laser Axe, and Energy Blade.

* ''[[VideoGame/ExtrapowerStarResistance EXTRAPOWER Star Resistance]]'': Forcestar's primary attack is launching a beam [[HandBlast out of his hand]]. A weaker attack than other characters', it penetrates enemies and widens at every power up.

* This is a specific kind of skill in all games of the ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' series. Laser and plasma weapons are generally more powerful than conventional guns, with the tradeoff of less available ammunition. ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' presented a different tradeoff; in exchange for ammo that could be very easily found and converted using the game's crafting system, the tradeoff became the loss of stealth ability; energy weapons are the only weapons besides [[StuffBlowingUp explosive]] that can't be silenced.
* A rather unique example from ''VideoGame/FreeSpace''. The [[OmnicidalManiac Shivans]] appear to have [[LaserBlade Laser Blades]] mounted on their forelegs and a DeathRay on their backs. The latter weapon appears to be a part of the Shivan anatomy, but we don't know enough about the Shivans themselves to know for sure.

* ''VideoGame/{{Gift|2001}}'': Lots of, and usually they are moving. Some are deadly and some are detector beams which activate or deactivate mechanisms.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Intrusion 2}}'' The blaster is a laser rifle and the machine gun and double rifle may be some sort of plasma gun. Maku wields a large laser cannon, and MACE shoots lasers out of its eyes.
* In ''VideoGame/KaijuWars'', two of the experimental anti-kaiju weapons you can build are the [[FreezeRay Freezer]] and the Maser Cannon.
* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', the [[{{Magitek}} Guardians]]' primary weapon is a bright blue laser beam that can create explosions, start fires, and can inflict devastating, [[OneHitKill potentially fatal]] ([[EarlyGameHell especially early in the game]]) damage in a single shot. The smaller Guardian Scouts have smaller lasers that are not as damaging, but can be fired in rapid succession.

* All of Zero's weapons in the ''Videogame/MegaManZero'' series are energy melee weapons, with the Z-Buster being the exception (it's a ''ranged'' energy weapon). The Rod series of weapons were the most bizarre, as they started off with an energy spear, then an energy whip (which also doubled as a grappling device), then an energy ''tonfa'', finally ending up with an energy '''fist'''.

** The tradition continues in ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' with Prime's energon axe (but rocket-powered this time!), Sentinel Prime's energon ''lance'' and ''shield,'' and Jazz's [[RuleOfCool energon Nunchuks]]. Interestingly, these weapons all have physical components that spread out and so do not touch when the weapon is "turned on", and are only held together by PureEnergy. RuleOfCool, again.[[note]]Interestingly, [[Film/{{Transformers}} the 2007 movie]] Prime was supposed to have an energy sword, but the CGI model looked for all intents and purposes like a superheated/molten metal blade.[[/note]]

* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' has [[SinisterScythe energy scythes]], [[WhipItGood energy whips]], energy swords, energy daggers, and who knows what else. Of course, they're also [[{{Magitek}} magical]].

** The most notable are the Eliatropes, with TheHero Yugo able to form [[LaserBlade swords]], shields, and even DualTonfas. His brother Qilby prefers using a wakfu SinisterScythe [[spoiler:as if he wasn't trying to show off how evil he had become even more]].

* ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' has unlockable skins for most of the weapon powersets based on this trope. The Talsorian blades, available from Vanguard, are tintable blades of energy available for [[CoolSword Broad Sword]], [[KatanasAreJustBetter Katana]], [[AnAxeToGrind Battle Axe]], [[DualWielding Dual Blades]], and Archery (and TrickArrow) powersets. Yes, there's a Talsorian ''bow''. But '''not''' a [[DropTheHammer mace or hammer]], for stylistic reasons (which the developers have justified with self-aware {{Technobabble}}).

* ''Megazone 23''
* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' has [[SinisterScythe energy scythes]], [[WhipItGood energy whips]], energy swords, energy daggers, and who knows what else. Of course, they're also [[{{Magitek}} magical]].
* ''Anime/CodeGeass''
** Kallen Kozuki's [[AceCustom Guren]] has an arm-mounted gauntlet outfitted with a Radiant Wave Surger, a microwave-esque weapon that causes affected Knightmares to swell and explode. While designed originally as a melee weapon, later upgrades allow Kallen to focus and extend the range of the weapon, turning it into a WaveMotionGun.
** Luciano Bradley's [[HumongousMecha Knightmare]] wields an arm-mounted energy [[ThisIsADrill drill]], essentially a weaponized version of the DeflectorShields seen at the start of the series.
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': Traditionally, Quincies are archers made famous by their mastery of the EnergyBow, which either functions as HardLight or, with advanced training, can become such condensed energy they look completely solid. When they modernise their organisational structure and uniform, they also modernise their techniques and weapons. With the exception of the [[GoodIsOldFashioned Ishida family]], they fight with any weapon that suits their personality rather than using bows. However, they can still fire arrows from their weapons, even if it's a sword or an axe or something else.
* ''Manga/{{Yaiba}}'' features several of these, especially during the Pyramid Arc. Unlike other examples, they're often totally made of energy.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': Most alien weapons seem to be energy weapons, with the most famous example being that of the [[DeathRay Dalek organ-scrambling beam]], or the Time Lord Staser weapons.

* ''Series/{{CSINY}}'' had an episode with a James Bond-type car that was equipped with laser beams strong enough to cauterize the wounds they caused.
* Energy weapons are the staple weapons of ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** Starships primarily use phaser and disruptor weapons against each other.
** Most advanced infantry will use some kind of energy weapons against each other, rather than more conventional armaments.

* ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'' has a whole class of Energy weapons. They come either as lasers or particle projectile cannons (ppc). Energy weapons are very accurate, lightweight, powerful, and do not carry ammunition when compared to ballistic/missile weaponry; hence giving them a major edge in the logistics department and allowing mechs to last longer in extended combat. However, they generate ''massive'' amounts of heat in the mech, so a mech that carries around a lot of lasers is going to [[ExplosiveOverclocking explode]] if it [[AlphaStrike fires them all]]. If a mech is armed with only energy weapons, they require lots of heat sinks to keep themselves from [[{{Overheating}} overheating]]. There are some certain mechs that are equipped with energy weapons as their only means of primary armaments; examples being the ''Flashman'' and the ''Nova'', though in the latter's case, it is a Clan [=OmniMech=] that can have its original weaponry swapped for a more specialized role.
* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'':
** Brilliant energy weapons ignore armor bonuses to AC because they pass through armor, but they cannot hurt undead, constructs, or objects.
** Certain editions feature energy firearms, either as "[[ClarkesThirdLaw magic]]" weapons found in certain adventures or examples in chapters about varying the setting from the default-assumed norm of vaguely medieval-ish -- for example, ''3.5'' has rules for laser pistols/rifles and antimatter rifles.
** The BreathWeapon of mercury dragons is a laser-like beam of burning, concentrated light.
* ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'' has lasers (UV, IR, blue-green, X-ray, gamma-ray, polychromatic), masers, force blades, force glaives, force whips... Their defining feature, in rules terms, is that the skill to use them is Beam Weapons, whereas projectile weapons use Guns.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' is mostly the same quasi-medieval tech level as ''D&D'', but there are exceptions, especially in the nation of Numeria, site of a truly massive crashed starship. For the ''Iron Gods'' adventure path set in that nation, an entire sourcebook was written full of rules for advanced technology, including many flavors of energy weapon.
%%* ''TabletopGame/RocketAge'': Ray and Disintegrator Guns count along with Ray Swords.

* All of Zero's weapons in the ''Videogame/MegaManZero'' series are energy melee weapons, with the Z-Buster being the exception (it's a ''ranged'' energy weapon). The Rod series of weapons were the most bizarre, as they started off with an energy spear, then an energy whip (which also doubled as a grappling device), then an energy ''tonfa'', finally ending up with an energy '''fist'''.
* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' has Zero Suit Samus's energy whip, because the Paralyzer from ''VideoGame/MetroidZeroMission'' wasn't [[RuleOfCool cool enough]] before. Unlike most of the whip examples on this page, this one's actually made of energy, not just coated in it.
* ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline'' used what was known as Photon weapons. What this meant is that every weapon in the game had a glowing Lightsaber-like part on it. Even the ''guns''.
** Of course, the ''VideoGame/PhantasyStar'' series as a whole, with its sci-fi setting, had several breeds of "laser" weapons, notably swords, knives, slicers, claws, and axes. Though stuff made out of [[{{Unobtainium}} laconia]] managed to be superior.
* ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' has unlockable skins for most of the weapon powersets based on this trope. The Talsorian blades, available from Vanguard, are tintable blades of energy available for [[CoolSword Broad Sword]], [[KatanasAreJustBetter Katana]], [[AnAxeToGrind Battle Axe]], [[DualWielding Dual Blades]], and Archery (and TrickArrow) powersets. Yes, there's a Talsorian ''bow''. But '''not''' a [[DropTheHammer mace or hammer]], for stylistic reasons (which the developers have justified with self-aware {{Technobabble}}).
* In ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'', the Vampire Killer is often lampooned by cynics for its ability to destroy vampires (among other evil creatures), in spite of the fact that it is only a whip/long morningstar (depending on game and power level). However, The Vampire Killer's true form is shown in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaBloodlines'', where, when powered up to its full potential, it manifests as a light whip.
* ''VideoGame/{{Descent}}'' has most of its primary weapons consist of energy weapons that draw from your ship's energy banks, which can be recharged at certain areas. However, the truly damaging GameBreaker weapons [[KineticWeaponsAreJustBetter tend to be kinetic]], partially because they AREN'T {{Painfully Slow Projectile}}s and are {{hitscan}}, unlike the "lasers".

* Some of the additional graphics in the ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' Community Expansion Pack allow you to have bladed weapons with lightsaber-like blades, including laser spears, laser halberds, and laser ''battleaxes'' in addition to the ubiquitous laser sword.

* Many of the weapons in the ''VideoGame/{{Unreal}}'' series shoot plasma or nondescript energy rounds.

* The Eridian Cannon and Mega Cannon from VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}
** All Eridian weapons fire energy projectiles (with infinite ammo). One can argue that electrical damage weapons are also energy weapons, but those consume "normal" bullets, so who knows.
** ''Videogame/{{Borderlands 2}}'' introduces E-Tech weapons, guns made via the Eridian tech above. Depending on what type of gun, they either fire off plasma blasts, lasers or blobs of energy.
** ''Videogame/BorderlandsThePreSequel'' has Laser guns that either fire out a continuous stream or blasts of energy bolts.
** In ''Videogame/Borderlands3'', all Maliwan weapons are now energy weapons that fire out balls of energy.

* ''VideoGame/{{Strider}}''
** Plasma-based weaponry became some sort of vogue in ''[[VideoGame/StriderArcade Strider 2'', as a lot of enemies use them. Types range from huge plasma cannons to smaller portable guns and even melee weapons like a ''plasma lance''.
** [[TheMentor Xi Wang Mu]] from ''VideoGame/Strider2014'' uses a pair of knuckles which can generate pure energy constructs of any weapon she desires. In gameplay, however, this is limited to the three weapons used by her students.

* ''Videogame/FromTheDepths'' features both directed energy weapons (lasers) and particle beam weapons. Lasers are {{hitscan}} weapons that charge up by running engine power through a system of laser "pumps" and can either be continuous or pulsed, while [=PBWs=] use massive particle accelerators to shoot out highly deadly elementary particles near the speed of light and if damaged [[HoistByHisOwnPetard can shoot particles through your own vehicle]]. Bonus points for a high-rate of fire, low accuracy PBW turning into a pseudo-LightningGun.
* ''VideoGame/{{EVERSPACE}}'' has many energy-based weapons. They are usually more useful against shields than armor.

* ''VideoGame/{{Gift|2001}}'': Lots of, and usually they are moving. Some are deadly and some are detector beams which activate or deactivate mechanisms.
* ''VideoGame/ClusterTruck'':
** There is a complete world dedicated to them. Naturally, touching one of them is an instant death.
** One of the chat options when using the Twitch integration is "Lasertrucks", which gives each truck a laser beam at their rear.

* ''WebAnimation/DSBTInsaniT'': Amber can fire a beam of gamma ray energy.

* Hank's [[EnergyBow bow]] from ''WesternAnimation/DungeonsAndDragons1983'' could not only fire energy bolts, but even fire "energy arrows" that could ''wrap around'' foes.
* When the WebAnimation/BravestWarriors rub heat-sensitive stickers on their armor, they summon their animal-themed energy weapons: Danny's Dog Sword, Beth's Cat Lashes, Wallow's Falcon Ax, and Chris's...Bee With Excellent Leadership Skills. [[spoiler:Beth's father's sticker summons a copy of the ''Aeon Worm''.]]

* In ''Film/{{Bruiser}}'', Henry kills [[spoiler:Miles Styles]] by hoisting him into the air and shooting him in the head with an industrial laser.

* ''Franchise/StarWars'' isn't limited to [[LaserBlade lightsabers]]. For instance, "light whips" -- which make a bit more sense than a lightsaber, as the "energy" tendrils actually have a solid metal core.

* In ''Literature/{{Voidskipper}}'' these are portrayed in the realistic sense of lasers and highly relativistic particle beams. The shots travel at or very near lightspeed, they're effectively invisible until they hit, and the weapons have smart targeting systems that mean they almost never miss when used against terrestrial targets.

Contrast to KineticWeaponsAreJustBetter, which is when the fiction uses weapons just like or similar to RealLife Weapons despite the tech level of the story. For various [[{{Technobabble}} technobabbly]] reasons, when two energy weapons meet, LikeCannotCutLike.

* In ''Anime/CodeGeass'', Luciano Bradley's [[HumongousMecha Knightmare]] wields an arm-mounted energy [[ThisIsADrill drill]], essentially a weaponized version of the DeflectorShields seen at the start of the series.

* Parodied in the webcomic ''Webcomic/{{Isometric}}'', where a villain facing defeat proclaims himself inventor of the electric whip when the hero corners him, only for the hero to point out that he had merely pulled electric cables out of the wall.
* ''Webcomic/{{Unordinary}}'': Blyke can create energy from his hands that he fires as laser beams at his enemies.
** Later on, he gains the ability to fire off a burst of energy off his body that causes everyone around him to get knocked back.

** Brilliant Energy weapons ignore armor bonuses to AC because they pass through armor, but they cannot hurt undead, constructs, or objects.