| 1 | [[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/emp.jpg]]]] |
| 2 | [[caption-width-right:350:The go-to weapon in case of RobotWar. Leaves humans intact... but hopelessly bored.]] |
| 3 | |
| 4 | ->'''Grif:''' What's an E.M.P.?\ |
| 5 | '''Washington:''' It's an electro-magnetic pulse. It wipes out all circuitry and computers it touches. It will destroy the A.I.--\ |
| 6 | '''Simmons:''' Oh, you mean an Emp. |
| 7 | -->-- ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'' |
| 8 | |
| 9 | EMP, short for electromagnetic pulse, is often used in stories to take out anything electronic. Sometimes shown to be a temporary effect (especially when the RuleOfFun applies in games), it usually results in the permanent disabling of electronic systems. |
| 10 | |
| 11 | Now for a more detailed [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150101064654/https://fas.org/nuke/intro/nuke/emp.htm explanation.]] |
| 12 | |
| 13 | When a nuclear warhead explodes, it releases a LOT of gamma rays, which are photons with tons of energy. When these photons travel through air, they strip electrons off the air molecules as they zoom past. This is called "ionizing" the air. Because those photons are so very energetic, they do it over a very long distance and make a huge volume of ionized air. |
| 14 | |
| 15 | Ionized air becomes a conductor. This means those stripped-off electrons, energized by the gamma rays, are free to move around in an electric current. Any change in current produces radio waves. And since the current is going from zero to huge in a very short amount of time, this means a large portion of the atmosphere becomes a HUGE radio transmitter, broadcasting noise at full power. |
| 16 | |
| 17 | Radio waves have the generally useful property that they induce currents in conductive material (that's how a receiving antenna works). So whenever these INTENSE radio waves hit something metal, like the wires inside your computer, they produce proportionally INTENSE power surges. Ever had a piece of electronics destroyed when lightning hit your house? This is a similar effect, except bigger. And everywhere. At the same time. |
| 18 | |
| 19 | As a bonus, the main pulse is followed almost instantly by secondary ones. The original nuke releases neutrons, which run into things and produce more gamma rays, which produce another wave of electrons. And after that, the Earth's magnetic field "heaves" a little when hit by all this stuff, and that magnetic effect can zap anything connected to really long wires. |
| 20 | |
| 21 | Doesn't that sound like fun? |
| 22 | |
| 23 | In particular, silicon transistors -- the building block of modern electronics -- are very sensitive to these power surges. The induced current burns and destroys them. They are so sensitive, in fact, it has been theorized that a single nuke, detonated in the right part of the upper atmosphere, could take out most of the unprotected computers in the United States. Also, it is theorized that a high-intensity EMP burst could destroy silicon transistor circuitry even if the device is turned off. Military hardware has to be specially shielded to withstand most of the effects. Interestingly, ancient computers from the 1950s would also be resistant; they were built with vacuum tubes, which can take the pulse a lot better than modern transistors, especially if they were powered down at the time. Also, it's possible that early transistors, which were made of germanium rather than silicon, might be able to withstand an EMP if the device is powered down. |
| 24 | |
| 25 | If you want to do this zapping without the nuclear fallout, there are a few [[http://science.howstuffworks.com/e-bomb3.htm smaller weapons]] that can generate an EMP. Such a thing is usually a kind of single-use electric generator, which sends out its pulse when crushed by a conventional explosive. The pulse is far weaker, and can kill maybe an office full of computers. In case you wonder why the same explosive charge alone couldn't do it, a range can be extended by rigging up a generator to get a directional emission of microwaves instead of a plain magnetic surge. Getting a city-sized EMP without a nuclear bomb is not feasible with current technology; as to reusable variants, if we had the capacitors necessary to do that, we could also build practical [[MagneticWeapons railguns]] and laser rifles. It is also possible to [[http://www.electronicproducts.com/Power_Products/Power_Management/How_to_build_a_mini_EMP_generator_to_disrupt_electronics.aspx build a portable EMP jammer on your own]] with a disposable point-and-shot camera's electrolytic capacitor, a generator and a coil. |
| 26 | |
| 27 | Weapons aren't even needed to create an EMP, though; a gamma ray burst or supernova far enough away to not fry the Earth with enough ionizing radiation to actually pose a threat to human life itself could also accomplish creating a global disaster from an EMP. |
| 28 | |
| 29 | A more docile variant of EMP is "degaussing", which uses a varying magnetic field to remove magnetism from a metal object. Ships in WWII were degaussed to make them less vulnerable to magnetic mines. The last generation of CRT monitors, which were what most desktop computers used before LCD/LED displays took over, had built-in degaussers to eliminate color aberrations caused by stray fields. And bulk erasers, an even smaller and lower powered version of this, is used to destroy the data on magnetic storage devices (very popular with the [[Literature/BastardOperatorFromHell BOFH]]). |
| 30 | |
| 31 | When Hollywood talks about EMP, it can generally be filed under ArtisticLicensePhysics. |
| 32 | |
| 33 | Not to be confused with [[ComicBook/{{Empowered}} Emp]]. |
| 34 | |
| 35 | ---- |
| 36 | !!Examples: |
| 37 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 38 | |
| 39 | [[folder:Anime & Manga]] |
| 40 | * In ''Manga/EdensZero'', there is a tiny robot fairy named [[PunnyName E.M. Pino]] who can produce pulses which follow the relatively harmless fictional variant of simply knocking out all other machines around her for a few seconds. It also affects {{Magitek}} like Shiki's Ether Gear. |
| 41 | * ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'': |
| 42 | ** In ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'', ZAFT has the Gungnir System, which it deploys when they attack Panama -- and then proceed to slaughter Alliance soldiers trapped in disabled mecha. Even the revenge-minded Yzak gives pause at this, hinting at his later HeelFaceTurn. |
| 43 | ** The [[MinovskyPhysics Minovsky particle]] in the Universal Century timeline is also mentioned as capable of emitting EMP. Not only did this render long-range radar useless and made it necessary to shield electronics in bulky armor, but it also made the very ''idea'' of mobile suit combat possible. |
| 44 | * ''Manga/HighschoolOfTheDead'' features one moderately realistic EMP generated by a low-altitude nuke exploding over Japan. |
| 45 | * In ''Anime/TerrorInResonance'', the terrorist organization [[spoiler:Sphinx detonates a nuclear bomb in the stratosphere above Japan, where the resulting EMP sends the entire country back into a literal dark age]]. |
| 46 | [[/folder]] |
| 47 | |
| 48 | [[folder:Comic Books]] |
| 49 | * In ''Comicbook/TheAdventuresOfBarryWeenBoyGenius'', Barry assures an alien bookie hiding in his house that he won't have to worry about his vengeful employers, since Barry's home security system is practically impregnable. [[TemptingFate He boasts that the only thing that could put a dent in it is a huge highly focused magnetic pulse... which is exactly what the alien pursuers use to disable said system]]. |
| 50 | * In ''ComicBook/AllFallDown'', the Colony Drop-sized asteroid Penumbra seems to be radiating this, making any missile attack impossible. |
| 51 | * In ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'', the Soviets launch a single nuclear missile at the contested island of Corto Maltese. Superman knocks it off course, but, as Batman points out, this is not a NukeEm weapon -- the "Coldbringer" is designed to knock out the enemies' ability to fight, without damaging infrastructure. The weapon detonates, Superman gets [[NormallyIWouldBeDeadNow almost dead]], and the electrics fizzle out in most of the Americas. |
| 52 | * In the second issue of ''ComicBook/GlobalFrequency'', one of the characters carries non-lethal weaponry, such as EMP grenades, when they are going against a full-body enhancile. [[spoiler:They are... not exactly non-lethal.]] |
| 53 | * ''ComicBook/IronMan'' has one built into his armor. It disables his own gear as well, which then takes about six minutes to fix itself. The exact same thing is in the War Machine armor. |
| 54 | * ''ComicBook/Robin1993'': Tim's staff has a built in EMP emitter with a range of 20 yards. He doesn't use it much as it disables his own electronic gear too, and it takes a second to set up as parts of the staff have to be shifted around. |
| 55 | * In ''ComicBook/SonicTheComic'', [[EnemyWithout Super Sonic]] gradually built up a gigantic one after being [[TimeStandsStill sealed within the Omniviewer]] inside an asteroid in the Special Zone; one that Sonic was able to arrange to have teleported to Mobius in the nick of time to short out all of [[EmperorScientist Dr. Robotnik's]] technology and effectively end his tyrannical reign. |
| 56 | * ''ComicBook/XMen'': |
| 57 | ** The villain (and [[HeelFaceRevolvingDoor occasional ally]]) [[Characters/MarvelComicsMagneto Magneto]] does this from time to time. Considering how [[SwissArmySuperpower flexible]] his magnetic powers are usually depicted as being, it's not completely out of the question. |
| 58 | ** [[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm Storm]] has done it with ''lightning bolts'', which... [[ArtisticLicensePhysics isn't possible]]. |
| 59 | ** In ''ComicBook/UltimateXMen'', there's a very minor villain called Syndicate who has a literal electromagnetic pulse -- that is, his heartbeat sends out waves of electronics-disrupting surges. He also has two heads. |
| 60 | * In ''ComicBook/{{Dark Ages|MarvelComics}}'', Dr. Strange finds and pops open a portal to a world that has a perpetual EMP so he can destroy the machine threatening the Earth. However, the machine pulls a TakingYouWithMe, preventing him from closing the portal and putting the Earth into darkness. |
| 61 | * One ''ComicBook/JudgeDredd'' story involved Dredd bringing a rookie on assessment into a city block that gets hit with an EMP. This ends up causing a major problem for Dredd, since his natural eyes were replaced with ElectronicEyes many years prior. There's also the Magnon Pulser, a Justice Department issued weapon that's specialised to deal with robots, but will take down a man just as easily. |
| 62 | [[/folder]] |
| 63 | |
| 64 | [[folder:Fan Works]] |
| 65 | * ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': The MUTO Queen can use this move, like her brethren in ''Film/Godzilla2014'', and she can use it to temporarily short out the powers of bio-electrical Titans. It's also theorized that the Many can create one to knock out power grids when they so wish. |
| 66 | * In ''Fanfic/AeonNatumEngel'', among the standard depictions of EMP, it's also one of the main reasons for the Iceland's DecadeDissonance. |
| 67 | * ''FanFic/BetweenMinds'' uses one to nuke a couple Advisors' life support during an aerial battle! |
| 68 | * ''Fanfic/InvaderZimABadThingNeverEnds'': [=MiMi=] is equipped with an EMP emitter that Tak has her use on a regular basis to disable her enemies' weapons and defenses. |
| 69 | * A few kaiju and Breachers have this ability in ''Fanfic/TheNewAgeOfMonsters''. To counter this, Jaegers possess the ability to temporarily insulate their conn pod, meaning that they only need to reboot for a minute instead of being taken out for hours like in the [[Film/PacificRim original movie]]. |
| 70 | * ''Fanfic/RocketshipVoyager'': Tom Paris brags about how the [[ZeeRust vacuum tubes]] on Voyager's [[MasterComputer Computer Deck]] have been upgraded to [[PhlebotinumDuJour transistors]], only for the transistors to get fused by an electromagnetic pulse during the final battle. |
| 71 | * Before their invasion of Earth in ''FanFic/WorldwarWarOfEquals'', The Race drops several [=EMPs=] on the atmosphere to knock out communications and confuse military forces. Only the US, Mexico, Germany, and Egypt are spared since their air force fighters cut them off just in time. |
| 72 | [[/folder]] |
| 73 | |
| 74 | [[folder:Film -- Animation]] |
| 75 | * ''Anime/TheAnimatrix'': In "The Second Renaissance", it is said that the machines had little to fear from nuclear explosions as they were not affected by the heat and fallout, completely forgetting about the effects described in the page's intro -- which is weird because ''the live-action movies play it straight''. |
| 76 | * In ''WesternAnimation/Cars2'', Allinol is actually [[spoiler:a deadly chemical invented by [[BigBad Miles Axlerod]] that was designed to catch fire and explode inside a car's engine after being blasted by a deadly electromagnetic cannon built by his [[TheDragon Dragon]], Professor Z, that resembles a video camera.]] |
| 77 | [[/folder]] |
| 78 | |
| 79 | [[folder:Film -- Live-Action]] |
| 80 | * In ''Film/AirForceOne'', a stewardess mentions [[UsefulNotes/AirForceOne the eponymous plane]] is protected against this, which we can suppose is TruthInTelevision. |
| 81 | * In ''Film/Bloodshot2020'', Wigans built one that fit in a suitcase and could take out power throughout most of Sussex. This disconnects Ray from RST and [[spoiler:disrupts his FakeMemories enough for him to realize the truth]]. |
| 82 | * In ''Film/BrokenArrow1996'', a nuke detonated underground produces enough EMP to knock down a helicopter flying above it. Just before the detonation, the BigBad tells his [[TheDragon Dragon]] to shut off the car to spare it the same fate. |
| 83 | * In ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'', Zemo orders an EMP bomb to be delivered at a the power plant alimenting the German prison where Bucky is detained. When the Electro-Magnetic Pulse goes off, it knocks out the power and turns off the prison's security system, giving Zemo just enough time to trigger the Winter Soldier's programming. |
| 84 | * ''Film/{{Chappie}}'': Chappie is immobilized by a handheld version wielded by Moore. Its effects are only short-term, however, and he's able to escape a short time later. |
| 85 | * Also in the US MadeForTVMovie nuclear holocaust drama ''Film/TheDayAfter''. |
| 86 | * ''Film/TheDayTheEarthStoodStill2008'': [[spoiler:At the end of the film, Klaatu changes his mind about wiping out all life on Earth and activates his ship's EMP generator that emits a wave across the entire planet, shutting down the GreyGoo nanites, warning humans that their way of life will have to change. He just didn't tell them that it would also result in many deaths from plane crashes, anyone on life support or with a pacemaker, etc.]] |
| 87 | * In ''Film/DenOfThieves'', Donnie uses a short range EMP device to fritz the camera in the counting room. How the crew got hold of this device is unclear, but it can be assumed that Mack, the team's technical expert, probably has contacts. |
| 88 | * The "Ion Cannon" in ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' is a cannon that disabled an entire Star Destroyer without destroying it. "Ion" weapons in future installments of the [[Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse Expanded Universe]] (particularly video games) specialize in disrupting machinery. But without permanently shredding the electronics as [=EMP=]s do. It's implied in one of the stories (IG-88's section in ''Tales of the Bounty Hunters'') that it ''does'' permanently destroy circuity and such, but there are usually ways to auto-repair the damaged paths. Hence the temporary shutdown period, between "destroyed" and "repaired enough to function". |
| 89 | * Shows up in ''Film/EscapeFromLA'' as part of a top-secret government project that ends up being stolen by a terrorist who threatens to zap America if the government doesn't meet his demands. The film ends with [[spoiler:Snake zapping the entire world instead]]. |
| 90 | * ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'': |
| 91 | ** With [[Characters/{{Godzilla}} Minilla]], an unintentional and very similar effect that happens due to his kind of {{Telepathy}}. |
| 92 | ** In ''Film/TheReturnOfGodzilla'' a mild EMP effect was the side effect of prematurely detonating a nuclear weapon launched to kill Godzilla. |
| 93 | ** In ''Film/{{Godzilla|2014}}'' (2014), the [=MUTOs=] have the ability to emit natural electromagnetic pulses. Indeed, the lights suddenly going out in the area serves as an indirect sign that they are nearby. It also makes it difficult to use many modern weapons against them, as evidenced by the scene where a bunch of fighter jets sent to take one out suddenly shut down and crash into San Francisco Bay.[[note]]Real fighter jets are hardened to resist EMP for exactly this reason; but even if all the electronics on a fighter ''did'' get fried, it wouldn't suddenly go into an unrecoverable flat spin as shown in the movie as the engines would still be running for a while. It would probably be rendered useless as a weapons platform, though.[[/note]] Of note, at first it seems the use this accidentally (as it seems more them trying to use the shockwave that accompanies them setting it off), but by the time of the San Francisco, the male Muto has seemed to learn to use it offensively. The EMP has absolutely no effect on Godzilla though, so why the creatures even have the ability is unclear, although the novelization hints that it's a natural byproduct of their radiation-eating metabolisms. Also according to the novelization, the EMP effect weakens Godzilla's [[BreathWeapon atomic breath]], which would explain why the attack was not as destructive as it is normally portrayed. |
| 94 | * In ''Film/IndependenceDayResurgence'', [[spoiler:the invading aliens trap the human bombers inside their ship, and disable them with an EMP wave.]] |
| 95 | * ''Film/JamesBond'': |
| 96 | ** ''Film/AViewToAKill'': The MacGuffin for the first half of the movie is a computer chip that can withstand EMP, built by Zorin Industries. Bond is investigating how one of these chips ended up in the Soviet Union. |
| 97 | ** ''Film/GoldenEye'': The eponymous {{Kill Sat}}s, developed by the Soviets and stolen by Janus, work by exploding in orbit, generating a powerful EMP to knock out the electronics of the target below them. Janus destroys the Severnaya station in Russia with it and intents to use the other one on London, and has a special Eurocopter Tiger helicopter prototype that can withstand EMP stolen. |
| 98 | ** ''Film/NoTimeToDie'': Before the FinalBattle, Q gives Bond a watch that can generate EMP in a small radius. He uses it to open a door to enter the BigBad's base, and to kill TheDragon (by frying the latter's {{electronic eye|s}}, which then explodes in his head). |
| 99 | * ''Film/TheJurassicDead'': An [=EMP=] caused by a meteor impact knocks out the power for the cars the commandos and teenagers for driving, as well as the teenagers' phones and other electronic devices, as well as all power in North America. Dr. Wojick Borge states that all power in North America will be out for months. |
| 100 | * The last-resort weapons against the robots in ''Franchise/TheMatrix'' trilogy. Big problem there is that they disable your own devices as well. That includes the devices that plug people into the Matrix. |
| 101 | * The nuclear bomb in the MadeForTVMovie ''Film/MedusasChild'', unless defused, would generate a continent-wide EMP in addition to wiping Washington DC off the map. |
| 102 | * In ''Film/MissionToMars'', the first manned mission accidentally triggers a Martian defense system at Cydonia, which not only kills most of them but also emits an EMP wave that fries the lander's systems, stranding the survivor on Mars. The rescue mission brings replacement motherboards with them. [[spoiler:They end up being their only way off the planet, after their original craft is destroyed.]] |
| 103 | * In ''Film/{{Nope}}'', the presence of the FlyingSaucer is heralded by all electronics in its vicinity shutting down temporarily. [[spoiler: After the reveal that the saucer isn't a spaceship but a [[StarfishAliens living creature]], it's explained that the saucer uses electromagnetism to fly. This fact is exploited by OJ and Emerald in the climax by using a network of inflatable tube men as a makeshift radar to track where Jean Jacket will move.]] |
| 104 | * In the remake of ''Film/OceansEleven'', Don Cheadle uses an EMP generator to cause a power outage at the casino so Creator/GeorgeClooney and Creator/MattDamon's characters can get past the security lasers. He even describes the device as "a nuke... without the nuke." Assuming that such a device could be built, the rapid restoration of power is a ArtisticLicensePhysics[=/=]ArtisticLicenseEngineering double-header. And there's the additional effects that would certainly kill people given the loss of power would also affect anything with an engine and anyone on any kind of life support (e.g. pacemakers). |
| 105 | * ''Film/OutpostBlackSun''. The special forces team has a backpack version which is the only effective way of stopping the Nazi zombies. The problem is it's one-shot only and they use it straight away. |
| 106 | * ''Film/PacificRim'' has one of the {{Kaiju}} knocking Hong Kong off the power grid, along with disabling a jaeger, with a burst of this. Yes, a ''Kaiju''. Due to its nuclear reactor, Gypsy Danger is not affected. Considering it already needs shielding from its own emissions it makes sense. [[ArtisticLicensePhysics Characters act as if its non-digital interface is the true reason for its resistance, though]]. |
| 107 | * In ''Film/QuantumApocalypse'', this happens as Ben and Terry are driving to Houston. Their car immediately breaks down, but Terry manages to fix it. |
| 108 | * This is how North Korea (China in the original cut) manages to invade the US in the ''[[Film/RedDawn2012 Red Dawn]]'' remake. |
| 109 | * During the final battle in ''Film/{{Serenity}}'' a Reaver ship knocks out ''Serenity's'' electrics with an EMP beam weapon, sending her into a flat spin. Wash manages to get partial power back and pulls off a relatively controlled crash-landing. |
| 110 | * In ''Film/SmallSoldiers'', the kid blows up a power transformer in the back yard. This generates an EMP that fries the circuitry of all the evil toys. The good toys are shielded by a downed satellite dish, somehow. |
| 111 | ** The creator of the chips that run the toys' AI originally did so for military purposes, and mentioned that the chips were discontinued because they were so vulnerable to EMP, but that the toy business is not cutthroat enough to warrant worrying about nukes. This causes them to believe that the only way to generate an EMP is via atomic bomb, until Mr. Fimple explains basic electromagnetism. |
| 112 | * In ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020'', the titular character accidentally causes one via an AngstNuke; his repressed feelings of sadness and loneliness built up a lot of electric energy, until he unleashes it all with an enraged shout. This results in the power grid going out across the entire Pacific Northwest, and manages to alert the government about Sonic's existence. |
| 113 | * ''Franchise/StarWars'' features "ion blasters" which are essentially portable EMP guns, firing an ionized current that disrupted electrical systems and made them the perfect anti-droid weapons. There were also more powerful variants known as DEMP guns (anti-Droid/Destructive EMP), with "super-[=DEMPs=]" large enough to be mounted on spacecraft seen in ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends''. |
| 114 | * ''Film/SteelRain''. This turned out to be the war scenario developed by the renegade North Korean officers who are launching TheCoup. Launch a nuclear missile to knock out South Korea's high-tech weapons, then send in thousands of special forces to attack and seize US army bases to take their soldiers prisoner to force the United States to the bargaining table. |
| 115 | * This is the favorite weapon of Blackout in ''Film/Transformers2007'', and other Transformers have used such weapons, if only mentioned in their Tech Specs. |
| 116 | * ''Film/{{Threads}}'': The Soviets detonate an airburst above Britain to knock out communications and computers with an EMP before [[NoKillLikeOverkill nuking the rest of the country]]. |
| 117 | * In the 2005 film ''Film/TheWarOfTheWorlds'' the aliens subject urban areas to a terrifying EMP weapon disguised as a lightning storm. It is designed to wreck our technological society before the tripod assault: a instrument of ''total'' war. It works, but cars at least are easily fixable. |
| 118 | [[/folder]] |
| 119 | |
| 120 | [[folder:Literature]] |
| 121 | * A key element of the plot of Creator/CharlesSheffield's novel ''Literature/{{Aftermath}}''. |
| 122 | * In ''All Frequency Jamming/Full Band Interception'' by Chinese Sci-Fi writer Cixin Liu, the future Russian (or Chinese, as it's changed in the Taiwanese version) army saved themselves from the conquerors of NATO by using EMP in the most badass way -- first by deploying stationary EMP emitters, then by [[spoiler:ramming a giant space station into the sun]]! |
| 123 | * In ''Literature/ArkRoyal'' the aliens' plasma weapons prove extremely vulnerable to EMP; they explode. |
| 124 | * As mentioned above, the ''Literature/BastardOperatorFromHell'' has on occasion used a bulk eraser to destroy incriminating evidence or a user's files. He and the PFY also built a portable version which they used to destroy vending machines and [=ATM=]s in a revenge spree, until on the way back they accidentally set it off inside the elevator... |
| 125 | * ''Literature/CarrerasLegions'': EMP bombs using conventional explosives to create the pulse are deployed by the Legion several times throughout the series to knock out enemy electronics, particularly their communications. |
| 126 | * In ''Computer War'' by Creator/MackReynolds, a country being invaded sends saboteurs to set off an explosive-activated EMP device in the invading country's Treasury building, wiping all the computer tapes and plunging the country into economic chaos. The story had been written in 1967, so [[MasterComputer no-one had thought of a distributed computer network]]. |
| 127 | * In ''Literature/ConcienciaYVoluntad'', a massive EMP is the main weapon against the invading US armies in the Southern Cone. But this costs the destruction of all the communication, and the sublevation of the provinces, making that several regions in the time of the novel declare independence from Buenos Aires. |
| 128 | * According to the ''Series/DoctorWho'' book ''Only Human'', at some point in the future, Earth will be hit by an EMP-like wave from an alien weapon that missed its target during a titanic SpaceBattle far away, not only shutting down all technology but also persisting for hundreds of years, preventing new technology from being made. As a result, people will turn to other fields of science that aren't affected by the EMP, such as biology and chemistry, resulting in {{Steam Punk}}ish technology (including a steam-based ''time machine'') and advanced bio-science. |
| 129 | * ''Dragon'' by Creator/CliveCussler. [[Literature/DirkPittAdventures Dirk Pitt]] uses an improvised magnet (created from a 6-volt dry cell and an iron pipe wrapped in copper wire) to erase the programming of some robot sentries. |
| 130 | * In ''Literature/TheDreamsideRoad'', Orson’s IF Maker weapon issues an E.M.P. blast that disables a [[spoiler:Liberty Corps drop ship]] and its assorted drones. |
| 131 | * EMP (especially handheld EMP) play a key part of Creator/OrsonScottCard's ''[[Literature/OrsonScottCardsEmpire Empire]]'' series. |
| 132 | * ''Literature/TheFifthWave'': The Others' first wave consists of this, in which anything running on engines or electricity, including cars and mid-flight aircraft, is shut down ultimately resulting in the deaths of half a million. |
| 133 | * In Creator/FyodorBerezin's ''Literature/IncomingCataclysm'', the [[AlternateUniverse parallel world]]'s USSR uses EMP generated by high-altitude nuclear detonations to scramble the American fleet's radar systems, so that they can get {{Zerg Rush}}ed by hundreds of missile boats and submarines. The ploy succeeds, and the US is forced to withdraw what's left of its navy from Southeast Asia. It's not entirely clear why the EMP doesn't affect the Soviet tech (the missiles appear to be remotely piloted), but it could be the author's jab at the backward state of Soviet tech. |
| 134 | * In Ken [=MacLeod's=] ''Intrusion'', the anti-technology Naxals' plan to do this at some point is among the vague threats that keep the dystopic future paranoid. |
| 135 | * In ''Literature/TheLeonardRegime'', it is mentioned that the west coast of the United States had been hit by an EMP attack during a previous war. It is functional by the time the story takes place. |
| 136 | * In Max Barry's ''Literature/MachineMan'', love interest Lola's [[spoiler:HeartTrauma]] is mended with a model that discharges an EMP when she gets excited. It does considerable damage and ends up as a [[spoiler:ChekhovsGun]]. |
| 137 | * ''Literature/TheMilkweedTriptych'' |
| 138 | ** The British develop primitive EMP devices called Pixies to disable the Nazi supersoldiers, whose PsychicPowers are charged by batteries. They try using similar technology against the Soviet psychic soldiers in the Sixties, only to discover that their batteries are hardened against EMP. |
| 139 | ** In "What Doctor Gottlieb Saw", Gretel [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident creates a fatal 'accident']] by arranging for a nail to end up inside a diesel generator; the short-circuit creates an EMP pulse that knocks out an IntangibleMan's battery just when he's merging through a wall. |
| 140 | * In the science fiction novel ''Literature/NationOfTheThirdEye'', the mysterious enemy is using EMP to disable the digital systems on spaceships. Good thing those also have emergency analog systems that can withstand EMP and solar storms. |
| 141 | * William Gibson's ''Literature/{{Neuromancer}}'': |
| 142 | ** The US military flight unit "Operation Screaming Fist", led by Colonel Willis Corto (Armitage), is taken down by Russian EMP weapons. |
| 143 | ** In the ''Neuromancer'' universe, many companies use Artificial Intelligences to run their computing needs, especially security. Notably, there is a regulatory agency (the Turings) that is aware that AIIsACrapShoot: as such, all AI-equipped supercomputers must be built with an EMP destruct device, triggerable by any Turing agent. As one AI-savvy character puts it, "Every AI ever built has an electromagnetic shotgun wired to its forehead." This is important, as the story revolves around two AIs (Wintermute and Neuromancer) that wish to merge into one superentity--an act that would certainly trigger the EMP bombs. |
| 144 | * In William R. Fortschen's ''One Second After'', an EMP is generated when several nukes are detonated in the atmosphere over the US. |
| 145 | * ''Literature/RiversOfLondon'': In ''Literature/MoonOverSoho'' the cover story for the {{Masquerade}} is that a suspect premises had a miniature EMP bomb in it and [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial not a magical demon trap]]. |
| 146 | * In ''Literature/SpiderManGlobalWar'': this is how ComicBook/DoctorOctopus plans to cause communication silence, thus preventing the rest of the world from taking with ComicBook/DoctorDoom. |
| 147 | * ''Literature/TheWarAgainstTheChtorr''. A robot is sent into an alien dome to flash it with EMP, hopefully killing any man-eating alien worms before TheSquad follows. A footnote helpfully informs us that an EMP-grenade will cook or curdle any living matter within a radius of ('''CLASSIFIED'''). A single charge will yield as many as ('''CLASSIFIED''') useable pulses. There is also the tendency of the flash to destroy any unshielded electronic gear within the larger radius of ('''CLASSIFIED'''). One could argue this is a good writer's technique to explain what EMP is while {{Black Box}}ing the actual technology involved. |
| 148 | * In Creator/HarryTurtledove's ''Literature/{{Worldwar}}'' series, the Race begins their assault on Earth by using EMP (in the form of high-altitude nuke detonations) to disrupt human technology. However, as this is set during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, most of humanity's electronics consist of vacuum tubes and are thus unaffected, to the surprise of the invaders. |
| 149 | * One day in ''Literature/ToBeTaughtIfFortunate'', the crew of astronauts realize with horror that they have not received any communications from Earth for months. The months turn to years before a member of a returning mission sends them a message from Earth's orbit, revealing that a natural solar flare has knocked out all of Earth's electronics, including any satellites that could be used to relay messages to the crew. Meaning they might be the last astronauts ''ever''. |
| 150 | * In ''Simon Black At Sea'' by Creator/IvanSouthall, an American air force officer complains about the primitive electronics in the Firefly 4, a SpacePlane designed to employ nuclear weapons. Simon and Alan Grant argue that the Firefly 4 is designed for Armageddon, when the upper atmosphere will be such a mess it will screw up any radar or radio. EMP isn't mentioned specifically because the novel was published in 1961. |
| 151 | * ''Literature/PilgrennonsChildren'': Compton bombs can overload electronic devices for miles around. When Pilgrennon first went into hiding, he set off a bomb that destroyed his research institute and fled in the chaos. There's worry that Cerberus will set off a bomb that will destroy the computers in Pilgrennon's children's brains, causing severe brain damage. [[spoiler:Pilgrennon tries to use a bomb to destroy Cerberus's English computer, but it doesn't go off, thanks to a broken fuse. He uses another one to allow him, Jananin, and Dana to escape London undetected. The bomb kills Alpha, who was outside Pilgrennon's radiation-proof car thanks to [[NiceJobBreakingItHero a Good Samaritan who was concerned about children left unattended]], and sets off a wave of crime and destruction for miles around. Pilgrennon sets off his last bomb while being pursued in a helicopter, [[HeroicSacrifice destroying his helicopter]] as well as those of his pursuers so they won't be able to find Cerberus in the ocean.]] |
| 152 | * ''Literature/LaszloHadronAndTheWargodsTomb'': The pirate starship Corsair carries a cargo of EMP mines, which it repeatedly uses to great effect. |
| 153 | |
| 154 | [[/folder]] |
| 155 | |
| 156 | [[folder:Live-Action TV]] |
| 157 | * ''Series/TwentyFour'': |
| 158 | ** In Day 4, a defense contractor deploys an EMP taking out several square blocks of downtown UsefulNotes/LosAngeles. |
| 159 | ** During Day 8, Samir's terrorists sneak an EMP bomb into [[spoiler:CTU New York]] with an "escaped" hostage to [[spoiler:disable the Manhattan radiation sensors.]] |
| 160 | * ''Series/TheBoys2019'': In "[[Recap/TheBoysS0208WhatIKnow What I Know]]", Frenchie prepares an RPG warhead that emits an electromagnetic pulse to counteract Stormfront's ShockAndAwe. Turns out to be a NegatedMomentOfAwesome when Stormfront blows up the warheads before they can be used. |
| 161 | * In the ''Series/{{Bugs}}'' episode "Pulse", the EMP is referred to as a "pulse bomb", which the protagonists use to escape a heavily armed villain. |
| 162 | * In ''Series/DarkAngel'' the United States is a third world country because of a terrorist EMP attack. |
| 163 | * ''Series/DoctorWho'': |
| 164 | ** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E6TheAgeOfSteel "The Age of Steel"]]: A small, hand-grenade-sized EMP device is used to knock out a single Cyberman. It succeeds in frying its emotional inhibitor chip and to disable its motor functions, but for some reason, the thing can still operate its speaking device and the Doctor has to power down the energy core manually. One also has to wonder, shouldn't the plate armour, which the Cybermen are encased in, work as a Faraday cage? |
| 165 | ** [[Recap/DoctorWho2007CSVoyageOfTheDamned "Voyage of the Damned"]]: Bannakaffalatta, as a cyborg, has an EMP device that is used to take out the robotic Host. |
| 166 | ** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS37E2TheGhostMonument "The Ghost Monument"]]: The Doctor rigs up an EMP from a downed [=SniperBot=] to take the rest out for a few minutes when they corner everyone in the ruins, buying time to escape. |
| 167 | * In the first season of ''Series/{{Heroes}}'', [[spoiler:HRG got Nuclear Ted to emit an EMP instead of his normal nukes in order to shut out the power at Primatech so they could escape.]] |
| 168 | * In the ''Series/Intelligence2014'' episode "Athens" an EMP attack disrupts Gabriel's chip, giving him LaserGuidedAmnesia. In the epilogue Dr. Cassidy modifies the chip to make it less susceptible. |
| 169 | * The second ''Series/Jake20'' episode features a terrorist trying to set off an EMP bomb in the NSA headquarters. Jake, who figures out the bad guy's plan, manages to take him down and throws the bomb into a shielded vault that protects the facility, but the proximity nearly kills Jake, whose nanobots somehow manage to "survive". |
| 170 | %%* ''Series/Jericho2006'' |
| 171 | * ''Series/{{Leverage}}'' features both a handheld version and the much larger bomb version. The handheld version is a much smaller version of the kind that is in development for use in police pursuits. The bomb version actually averts the mistake of ''Ocean's Eleven'', [[TheSmartGuy Hardison]] explains that setting off the device would make them the largest terrorists in American history. |
| 172 | * ''Series/RedDwarf'': This was the plan of the Lady Be Good Club to destroy the Expanoids in "Twentica", which they're able to assemble and use thanks to the efforts of the Dwarfers. |
| 173 | * ''Series/RizzoliAndIsles'': In "Somebody's Watching Me", a ConspiracyTheorist used a homemade EMP gun to disable a drone. Frankie and Frost accidentally fry the electronics of two patrol cars while testing to see if it works. |
| 174 | * In ''Series/{{Smallville}}'': |
| 175 | ** In "Legion", [[ShockAndAwe Lightning Lad]] and [[MagnetismManipulation Cosmic Boy]] combine their powers to create a pulse that knocks Brainiac offline long enough to extract him from Chloe's body. |
| 176 | ** In "Metallo", Clark Kent uses a device to trigger one in an attempt to disable Metallo. Unfortunately, Metallo restarts after a few seconds. |
| 177 | * ''Franchise/StargateVerse'': |
| 178 | ** In ''Series/StargateAtlantis'', an EMP is generated by a Naquadah generator overload and is [[Recap/StargateAtlantisS01E13HotZone used to destroy some runaway nanites.]] |
| 179 | ** Also used in ''Series/StargateSG1'' to remotely knock out an alien device through the Stargate (it doesn't work). |
| 180 | ** And [[MacGyvering another]] is used to disable an enemy command bunker (it works). |
| 181 | * ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' had a "rotating" pulse being used by the Dominion forces in "Sacrifice of Angels" to block communications between Starfleet ships. |
| 182 | * ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': Charlie says in "[[Recap/SupernaturalS14E06Optimism Optimism]]" when describing the alternate history of [[AlternateUniverse Apocalypse World]] that a ''continent-spanning'' EMP wiped out all technology when the other world's Michael and Lucifer clashed. Being cut off from technology and unable to communicate subsequently made the humans desperate and violent. |
| 183 | * ''Series/{{Taken}}'': |
| 184 | ** In "Beyond the Sky", the battery of Sue's car goes dead as the crashing alien ship passes overhead. After it crashes to Earth, the power returns, giving her a fright. |
| 185 | ** In "Charlie and Lisa", Lisa Clarke's flashlight and all of the lights in her trailer park go out as a result of the arrival of one of the alien ships. |
| 186 | * In an episode of ''Series/TerraNova'', a meteor with a high iron content was somehow able to generate an EMP capable of frying every microchip in the colony, including the ones for the chip fabricator. While waiting for a new fabricator chip to be hand-etched, they had to fend off a Spinosaurus attack with compound bows. |
| 187 | * ''Series/TheTwilightZone1985'': In "A Day in Beaumont", Dr. Kevin Carlson's watch stops functioning as soon as the FlyingSaucer crashes in the vicinity. He immediately attributes it to magnetic interference. |
| 188 | * Some ''Franchise/UltraSeries'' kaiju possess this ability. |
| 189 | ** Bazob from ''Series/UltramanDyna'' generates a permanent field of EMP energy 6 kilometers wide from the PowerCrystal on its forehead, meaning Super GUTS can't use any of their technology against it unless they somehow destroy the crystal. |
| 190 | ** Pazuzu from ''Series/UltramanGaia'' did likewise, but it was at a much smaller width that meant that while XIG's planes could still circle about it, their guided missiles were totally useless against it |
| 191 | ** Gragas from ''Series/UltramanCosmos'' has an electromagnetic field the size of a small city, but it only effects communication devices. The problem is that Gragas is also invisible, making it impossible for EYES to track down the source of the EMP. |
| 192 | ** Spheresaurus from the pilot episode of ''Series/UltramanDecker'' can generate EMP pulses from an organ on oit's back, using it to take down numerous {{Attack Drone}}s around him, and even disabling the ''Nursedessei'' battleship. |
| 193 | * ''Series/WarOfTheWorlds2019'': The aliens use one that fatally shuts down most humans' brains along with their technology first. In the series the characters who survive were either immune to this or sheltered by metal at the time. |
| 194 | [[/folder]] |
| 195 | |
| 196 | [[folder:Pinball]] |
| 197 | * One of the disasters in ''Pinball/DialedIn'' is an EMP Strike, represented by magnets underneath the playfield messing with the ball's trajectory. |
| 198 | [[/folder]] |
| 199 | |
| 200 | [[folder:Roleplay]] |
| 201 | * In ''Roleplay/DawnOfANewAgeOldportBlues'', Luna's superpower is to create and control [[ShockAndAwe electricity]]. Her power starts to overload after the school sprinklers are set off, and eventually she can't hold it in anymore and lets it all out in a huge blast that knocks out all electronics in the school, from the fire alarm to people's mobile phones. |
| 202 | [[/folder]] |
| 203 | |
| 204 | [[folder:Tabletop Games]] |
| 205 | * ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'': |
| 206 | ** One piece of new 32nd-century gear in the universe are 'Mech- and vehicle-portable tight-stream EMP ''cannons'', available in one-shot and reusable versions, which on a hit can inflict effects from nothing special over short-lived interference to forced shutdown for a turn on a targeted unit (or destroying a suit of [[PowerArmor battle armor]] outright). They have some significant downsides to compensate, though: they generate a fair chunk of heat per shot, don't cause any actual damage against most targets, even the reusable versions can only fire every ''other'' turn, and the turn after one has fired the unit that used it suffers interference just as if it had taken a relevant hit itself. (Oh, and they're utterly useless against conventional, non-battle armor infantry, too.) |
| 207 | ** The [[https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Particle_Projector_Cannon Particle Projector Cannon]] also has the ability to inflict a lesser degree of this trope as a status effect in addition to the damage done by the weapon, with the energy pulse from the beam blinding sensors and taking some of the more delicate electronics in a mech's cockpit offline until the pilot can reset the circuit breakers, which in gameplay terms is represented by an aim penalty in the next turn. A particularly unlucky or incautious mechwarrior can also inflict this on their own battlemech if they fire a PPC with damaged shielding. |
| 208 | * One splatbook in ''TabletopGame/Cyberpunk2020'' features EMP grenades, that while harmless against non-cybered targets mess with cybernetics for some time. |
| 209 | * The ''TabletopGame/D20Modern'' setting Urban Arcana runs on PostModernMagick, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that it actually includes a FunctionalMagic spell that has the sole purpose of generating an EMP. |
| 210 | * In ''TabletopGame/EclipsePhase'' most computers are optical with shielded power supplies, so EMP grenades are mostly used to disable radio antennas that can't be shielded. |
| 211 | * ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}: Ultra-Tech'' has EMP warheads for properly sized projectiles. Microwave disruptors use a similar technology but are somewhat less effective. Oddly they don't fry the system, instead the effect leaves computers temporarily "unconscious". |
| 212 | * ''TabletopGame/{{Paranoia}}'' has the Gauss Gun, a directional EMP weapon useful against robots and other electronic equipment. |
| 213 | * ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'': |
| 214 | ** EMP ''grenades'' are Tau equipment used for dealing with tanks. They rarely see that much use, due to the Tau being the inventors of the railgun -- a long-ranged tank killer that makes a [[EnergyWeapon lascannon]] look wimpy. |
| 215 | ** The Tau also have an orbit-launched Icefire warhead for large-scale EMP disruption. |
| 216 | [[/folder]] |
| 217 | |
| 218 | [[folder:Video Games]] |
| 219 | * Quite a few video games have EMP grenades as weapons. Examples: |
| 220 | ** Certain rockets have this as an effect in ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore'': They temporarily stun the enemy mech. |
| 221 | ** This is the signature ability of the agent Thatcher in ''VideoGame/RainbowSixSiege''. |
| 222 | ** ''VideoGame/Battlefield2142'' |
| 223 | ** ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'' has EMP grenades as an option for the tactical equipment slot in ''[[VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare3 Modern Warfare 3]]'', ''[[VideoGame/CallOfDutyBlackOpsII Black Ops II]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/CallOfDutyBlackOpsIII III]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/CallOfDutyAdvancedWarfare Advanced Warfare]]''. Is useful against automated KillStreak rewards like sentry guns, drone swarms, mooks with AST exoskeletons and the like; against players it does little more than disabling their HUD and any optical attachments on their guns for a couple seconds. |
| 224 | ** ''VideoGame/DeusEx'' features EMP grenades, which are effective against enemy bots. In a twist the protagonist is a cyborg: it's not healthy to get caught in the EMP radius of your own grenades. |
| 225 | ** ''VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution'' has them as well, but an upgrade to your augmentations can render you completely immune to their effects. They're also good as ''distractions'' against purely human enemies, as they will investigate an EMP explosion as if it were a regular explosion. Important for a {{pacifist run}}. |
| 226 | ** ''VideoGame/EnemyTerritoryQuakeWars''. Considering that your enemy are basically [[Franchise/StarTrek Borg]], this works quite well. |
| 227 | ** In ''VideoGame/EverythingOrNothing'', EMP grenades are a part of Franchise/JamesBond's arsenal. |
| 228 | ** The ''Franchise/{{Fallout}}'' series. ''VideoGame/Fallout3'' includes Pulse Mines as well. ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' also adds a "Pulse Gun," an energy weapon implied to be an ''electromagnetic'' pulse gun, as it has the same damage bonus vs robots and PoweredArmor as EMP grenades, along with Pulse Shotgun Slugs. The nuclear war-induced EMP's may also be the reason the only working pre-war electronics run on vacuum tubes. |
| 229 | ** ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies 2'' has the E.M.Peach, which disables all robotic zombies in an area. Considering that many robotic zombies are extremely durable, this can be very useful depending on situation. |
| 230 | ** ''VideoGame/ProjectSnowblind'', as a SpiritualSuccessor to ''Deus Ex'', naturally includes them and forms the main plot line. [[spoiler:Yan Lo's plan involves detonating EMP bombs in New York, Paris, and Tokyo to essentially send the entire world back into TheDungAges, due to his [[TheSocialDarwinist social-Darwinist beliefs]] that anybody who couldn't survive back then doesn't deserve to live at all.]] |
| 231 | ** In ''VideoGame/QuakeIV'', your team attempts to use one to break the connection with the Strogg's HiveMind, but the bomb gets destroyed by a [[SpiderTank Harvester]] en route. |
| 232 | ** ''VideoGame/SCPSecretLaboratory'' has SCP-2176, aka The Ghostlight. Its primary uses are in locking down rooms and countering [[SupportPartyMember SCP-079's]] abilities. |
| 233 | ** ''VideoGame/StarWarsRepublicCommando'' has EMP grenades that are extremely useful when you run into hordes of Battle Droids, especially [[DemonicSpiders Super Battle Droids]]. Notably, they are also effective against ''organic'' enemies as they emit an electrical discharge as well - being shocked by several thousand volts is not a pleasant experience whether you are made of metal or flesh. |
| 234 | ** ''VideoGame/UnrealIITheAwakening'' has the EMP grenades for the ''Hydra'' Grenade Launcher. In addition to those, the SecondaryFire of the Shock Lance creates an energy ball with EMP properties. Both are particularly useful against forcefield generators and automatic cannons. |
| 235 | * The [[WhamEpisode Wham Level]] "Stage of Apocalypse" of ''VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar'' sees [[spoiler:a nuke going off close enough to you that your plane gets buffeted by the shockwave]]. The EMP from it [[InterfaceScrew causes your HUD to flicker and shake]] for the entire rest of the mission, coupled with all subsequent radio transmissions being barely legible from white noise (and the music being replaced by a [[NothingIsScarier barely audible]] [[HellIsThatNoise drone]]). One of your allies even complains about some of his gauges malfunctioning. In addition, the post-mission debriefing reveals that friendly forces are in utter chaos due to the EMP having knocked out communications as well. |
| 236 | * ''{{VideoGame/HAWX}}'' uses the microwave-type focused emission instead on one of its missions, with a base located on a hilltop being protected by three EMP emitters in the valley floor. Any aircraft approaching the base gets zapped by the EMP - however, the upwards-focused nature of the system is what allows the player to overcome it, via [[AirstrikeImpossible flying extremely close to the ground and blowing up the emitters from beneath their effective altitude]]. |
| 237 | * ''VideoGame/EndWar'''s "Electronic Warfare" support ability operates like an EMP (and MissionControl even calls it that when you get hit by one). |
| 238 | * ''VideoGame/GhostReconFutureSoldier'' likewise includes EMP grenades that temporarily short out electronics within their blast radius. If you're hit by one, your active camo won't work and you won't be able to see your HUD. |
| 239 | * ''VideoGame/BanjoTooie'': Mumbo's signature spell in Grunty Industries consists of performing an EMP to temporarily shut down factory machinery, though he can only do it in two specific rooms (each having [[PlatformActivatedAbility a Mumbo Pad where the spell can be casted]]). In one case, after Mumbo incapacitates two large crushers and then crosses to the other side, he can press a switch that turns them off for good. In the other, after Banjo and Kazooie (while transformed into washing machines courtesy of Humba) presses the switch that was being kept by the incapacitated electromagnet, the latter will remain damaged permanently. |
| 240 | * ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'': |
| 241 | ** In ''VideoGame/BattlefieldBadCompany 2'' the plot revolves around the members of the Bad Company trying to find a mysterious, lost Japanese superweapon from UsefulNotes/WorldWarII which turns out to be an EMP. |
| 242 | ** In ''VideoGame/Battlefield4'', a massive EMP blast jams an entire city's electronics, lights, etc. as well as the protagonists' communication devices. |
| 243 | * ''VideoGame/BubbleTanks Tower Defense 1.5'' introduces the EMP creep, which explodes into an electromagnetic pulse upon defeat. This disables all the towers around it, and as such makes it an annoying foe to fight. |
| 244 | * ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'': |
| 245 | ** In ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare2'', [[spoiler:a nuclear missile is detonated in the upper atmosphere over the United States, blacking out the east coast and forcing Ramirez and his squad to dodge helicopter rain]]. The player also gets an EMP in multiplayer if they get a KillStreak of 15, which disables enemy electronics, including [[InterfaceScrew removing their radar, ammo count and the game score]] and destroying almost all active killstreaks the opposing team has. It still fails physics forever, of course, because the team that used it is unaffected and the effect only lasts for one minute. Granted, this is [[AcceptableBreaksFromReality in the name of balance]] -- who would use the EMP if it affected their own team as well? Nobody. Who would use the EMP if it lasted until the end of the round? '''[[GameBreaker Everybody.]]''' |
| 246 | ** In addition to the return of the EMP killstreak, the semi-hidden M.O.A.B. killstreak in ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare3'' also gives an EMP-like effect upon detonation, which still only lasts one minute, alongside adding a lot of dust and a red tint over the map that lasts for the remainder of the match. |
| 247 | ** ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyBlackOpsII'' features the EMP as a scorestreak awarded at 1,300 consecutive points. |
| 248 | * ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' has a couple of EMP powers, one of which is delivered via TrickArrow. It's just described as "a massive pulse of electromagnetic energy", without going into detail how it is formed. They are "powerful enough to affect synaptic brain patterns" (i.e. temporarily disable all enemy actions, electronic or otherwise), while dealing "high damage to machines and robots". It's a very ''good'' power, it just doesn't make much sense outside of Superhero Logic. |
| 249 | * ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer'': |
| 250 | ** In ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerGenerals'', the Superweapon General's base-defense missiles and one of the special powers of high-ranking Chinese generals are EMP-based. These disable vehicles and buildings, albeit temporarily. When said EMP base-defense missiles [[OneHitKill hit aircraft]], however... |
| 251 | ** China also has an EMP bomb dropped by an airplane. Pretty effective if used with other special abilities to destroy an enemy force or as a starter for an attack on the enemy base. And it looked [[RuleOfCool cool]]. |
| 252 | ** ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianSun'' features an EMP cannon on both factions, while its expansion had a mobile EMP tank for GDI. It's more useful against GDI than Nod due to Nod's tendency to use {{fragile speedster}}s and that the cannon takes some time to charge and shoot. |
| 253 | ** ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer3TiberiumWars'' has a tech building that can be captured to grant an EMP attack that temporarily disables enemy buildings. |
| 254 | ** ''VideoGame/RedAlert3'': The Allied Aircraft Carrier's secondary attack is the Blackout Missile, which disactivates all buildings and vehicles in an area for a while. |
| 255 | * ''VideoGame/CryingSuns'': |
| 256 | ** Some maps have EMP Towers as an environmental hazard. They periodically release electromagnetic pulses, stunning any squadrons in their immediate vicinity. They can easily stunlock a squadron if it’s caught in an area where the [=EMP=]s of two or more towers overlap. |
| 257 | ** The boss Tetsuo unleashes an [=EMP=] Deluge on your battleship every 90 seconds. This causes tremendous heat buildup in your battleship’s systems, potentially crippling you with SubsystemDamage if you didn’t upgrade your heat capacitors beforehand. |
| 258 | * ''[[VideoGame/{{Crysis}} Crysis Warhead]]'' features EMP grenades that are used to disable the enemy's nanosuits, making them easy kills. ''Crysis 2'' lacks EMP grenades, but it does have the K-Volt sub-machine gun, which fires electrostatic bolts that knock CELL troops off their feet and ''stunlock'' [[TentacledTerror Ceph]] enemies in place. The Ceph themselves have an EMP emitter seemingly built into their exosuits which instantly drains your suit energy, disabling your powered armor, cloaking, and sprinting functions, and they will make very good use of it when searching an area for you. Grunts and Stalkers have short-ranged [=EMPs=] that have a range of about a meter or two, while [[TripodTerror Pingers]] have a much larger one combined with some form of sonic pulse, leaving you at the mercy of its rapid-fire plasma cannon should you be caught in range. |
| 259 | * The ''VideoGame/DarkForcesSaga'' feature an EMP-shooting gun which is mostly for killing robots. |
| 260 | * ''VideoGame/DawnOfWar'': |
| 261 | ** The Tau's Stealthsuits can use [=EMPs=] that don't do damage, instead shortly disabling any vehicle it's hit by, leading to some GameplayAndStorySegregation when the ork's diesel-and-RuleOfCool-powered junkpiles are affected, while the robotic [[{{Cyborg}} servitors, techpriests]] and [[RobotWar Necron infantry]] aren't. |
| 262 | ** The ork Bigmek does more or less the same thing with his Tankzappa, which shoots a big ball of lightning at a vehicle. |
| 263 | ** The Eldar's Haywire Grenades do large amounts of damage to vehicles and buildings without disabling them, but some translations confusingly called them [=EMPs=] as well. |
| 264 | * In ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'', it is explained that [[spoiler:the PSE law places a chip in all electronics so that they can do this to ''all of Tokyo in a massive explosion''. In fact, that's their if-all-else-fails plan.]] |
| 265 | * In ''Videogame/{{Evolve}}'', Ebonstar bases are equipped with EMP missile batteries to disable attacking ships. Unfortunately for them, they're far less effective against organic foes who are already on the planet's surface. |
| 266 | * ''VideoGame/Fallout4'' makes several references to the EMP caused by the nuclear detonations of the Great War, mostly in audio or text logs linked to the various crashed airplanes and Vertibirds scattered across the Commonwealth. This is also implied to be the reason why most of the Power Armor frames you find are missing their fusion cores. |
| 267 | * ''VideoGame/{{Freelancer}}'' features a series of EMP-generating missiles (the Eraser line), as well as "pulse cannon" guns. However, in practice all they do is strip away a target's DeflectorShield. |
| 268 | * ''[[VideoGame/FreeSpace FreeSpace 2]]'' has [[ScrappyLevel a mission]] that takes place in an area of a nebula with [=EMPs=] happening all the time, and a missile that causes one when it explodes. In either case, this causes a massive InterfaceScrew. |
| 269 | * In ''VideoGame/Ghost10'', the EMP item releases an electromagnetic pulse which damages every enemy onscreen, destroying weaker robots outright and briefly stunning those that survive. The boss of the Labs sector can use the same sort of EMP against Ghost. Other enemies can release EMP shockwaves that travel along the floor: Ghost can jump over these to avoid getting stunned. |
| 270 | * ''VideoGame/GratuitousSpaceBattles'' has an EMP beam for cruisers, and EMP missiles for frigates. Each will shut down effectively anything the target is doing (including repair systems and shield regeneration) except for the engines. |
| 271 | * ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'': |
| 272 | ** In ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'', Cortana uses the Chief's energy shields as a makeshift EMP to disable Halo's phase pulse generators. |
| 273 | ** In the beginning of ''VideoGame/Halo3ODST'', the Covenant assault carrier's in-atmosphere slipspace jump causes an EMP to spread across much of New Mombasa. Nonetheless, most vital electronics seem to have been shielded against it. |
| 274 | ** The FPS games have a number of EMP weapons that can disable vehicles and shields: |
| 275 | *** The Plasma Pistol's charged shot is the most reliable way of taking out shields, and from ''VideoGame/{{Halo 3}}'' onward, it can also disable vehicles. |
| 276 | *** ''Halo 3'' has the power drain, which is basically an EMP grenade that also explodes. |
| 277 | *** In ''VideoGame/HaloReach'', the Grenade Launcher's grenades have this kind of EMP effect if you detonate them manually. Additionally, using Armor Lock will take out the shields of anyone close enough to you. |
| 278 | ** In ''VideoGame/HaloWars'', the UNSC Gremlin uses an EMP to disable ground vehicles, while the Covenant Vampire's stasis cannon can disable aircraft. |
| 279 | ** In ''VideoGame/Halo5Guardians'' Warzone, one of the Grunt [[MiniMecha Goblin]]'s attacks is an EMP that disables any vehicle near it. Additionally, one of the Splinter Grenade's many effects is a vehicle-disabling EMP. |
| 280 | * ''VideoGame/HeartsLikeClockwork'': The EMP Grenade slows down mechanical enemies, but has no effect on humans. Fortunately, this includes mechanical bosses like S.I.S., who generally don't have ContractualBossImmunity. |
| 281 | * In ''VideoGame/HyruleWarriorsAgeOfCalamity'', during the battle for Fort Hateno scenario [[MadScientist Purah]] manages to rig some ancient tech to generate a pulse that disables the Guardians that are attacking the fortress, at least until the stronger Malice Guardians show up. |
| 282 | * During missions in ''VideoGame/IronMan3TheOfficialGame'', one of the obstacles Tony can run into are EMP mines. These mines appear in clusters of enemies and if they're shot at, they explode and damage Tony's suit. |
| 283 | * In many of the ''Videogame/MechWarrior'' games, the [[LightningGun Particle Projector Cannon]] carries EMP-related effects, such as [[InterfaceScrew scrambling the HUD]] of anything it hits. In ''Mechwarrior Living Legends'', the PPC and battlemech fusion reactors GoingCritical will cause temporary EMP, which results in a blinding static overlay on the [[PoweredArmor battlearmor's]] DiegeticInterface, disables any nightvision equipment, and prevents players from transferring money to each other. |
| 284 | * EMP grenades are a recurring weapon in ''VideoGame/MetalArmsGlitchInTheSystem''. It temporarily deactivates ''every'' machine in the vicinity, although there's no real effect to the player except for disorienting and confusing your control scheme. |
| 285 | * In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'', [[spoiler:Solidus Snake's ultimate plan is to hijack Arsenal Gear, steal a nuclear warhead contained within it, then detonate it over UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity to pull it out of [[AncientConspiracy the Patriots']] control and mount an insurrection against them through a new republic.]] |
| 286 | * ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'': |
| 287 | ** ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'': Starting from this game, the Space Pirates occasionally use EMP grenades to throw at Samus. Presumably, Samus' suit is well-protected as neither of these actually does anything to her suit beyond standard shield drain. Some special electricity-based attacks, however, cause [[InterfaceScrew static to appear on the HUD]]. |
| 288 | ** ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime3Corruption'': Besides Space Pirates, the Steam Lords of Elysia can also generate one as an attack. In this game, getting hit by an EMP instantly puts Samus into corrupted mode with a full Phazon tank. This is a double-edged sword for the Pirates though; if Samus can't vent the Phazon in time (due to a paralyzing attack, for example) it's a NonStandardGameOver for her, but to vent Phazon she has to BeamSpam it all out, and those beams are highly destructive to anyone nearby. Such as, for example, the hapless pirate that threw the EMP... |
| 289 | * In ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeed: Hot Pursuit 2k10'', both the police and the racers use EMP devices on each other. In the "Porsche Patrol" cop event, you gain an achievement/trophy by using the EMP weapon to take out the computer-controlled gas/electric 918 Spyder Hybrid concept. |
| 290 | * In ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'', Sombra's [[LimitBreak Ultimate ability]] is an EMP which temporarily disables enemy special abilities and barriers within its AreaOfEffect. |
| 291 | * ''VideoGame/PAYDAY3'': ''Road Rage'' opens with the PAYDAY Gang using an EMP to disable an armored transport so Shade can hack into it and commandeer it. |
| 292 | * ''VideoGame/PerfectDark'' has EMP mines which have to be placed on the computer terminals to disable the security system in the first level. Unfortunately, they don't appear in other levels with security cameras. Its prequel has a variant as the Jackal SniperRifle's SecondaryFire, a directed beam of some variety that scrambles the target's radar - though [[AwesomeButImpractical why you'd really bother is a mystery]], since if you can keep your crosshair on an enemy long enough to scramble their radar properly, you can also keep your crosshair on an enemy long enough to just ''shoot'' him with your ridiculously-powerful sniper rifle and be done with it. |
| 293 | * ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies2ItsAboutTime'': The E.M.Peach can be used to disable machines used by zombies. |
| 294 | * In ''VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked'', your Battle Bots have EMP grenades equipped that allow the temporary deactivation of [[DemonicSpiders Stalker Turrets]] and other electronic obstacles. |
| 295 | * ''VideoGame/{{Rimworld}}'' has EMP grenades, mines and artillery shells, while the [[ThunderHammer Zeushammer]] melee weapon deals a lesser EMP burst with each strike. Such weapons will stun [[KillerRobot mechanoid]] enemies or [[SentryGun turrets]] for several seconds, and they can also collapse [[DeflectorShield force fields]] in a single strike, or cause unconsciousness or vomiting in organic targets with [[{{Cyborg}} cybernetic implants]]. Unfortunately, mechanoids will adapt after getting stunned by an EMP attack and become immune to the condition for a time, so you can't quite StunLock your way through a mech cluster attack. |
| 296 | * One type of enemy in ''VideoGame/RogueTrooper'' is the EMP Trooper, who routinely sets of pulses that disable Helm, Gunnar, and Bagman. This has the net effect of disabling their abilities, such as the radar, sentry gun, and item manufacturing. When they reboot, they plead with Rogue to take care of the EMP Trooper responsible and say they never want to experience that again. Rogue himself can make use of pulse grenades, which are useful for temporarily disabling MiniMecha that the Norts deploy in order to get close and take them down. |
| 297 | * ''VideoGame/SplinterCell'': |
| 298 | ** ''VideoGame/SplinterCellConviction'' has a plot focused on detonating several EMP bombs in UsefulNotes/WashingtonDC. Sam actually gets a backpack that has a built-in EMP generator fairly early in the game. It can only be used three times per level (no recharging it like other gadgets) and the effect is purely temporary, lasting ten seconds at most. He also has access to EMP grenades, which are even less effective, but ranged. |
| 299 | ** ''VideoGame/SplinterCellChaosTheory'' before it added an attachment to the pistol called the "Optically Channeled Potentiator", which allowed the player to temporarily disable any electronic device they aimed the pistol at. This was of the "microwave" variety of electronic disruption, and thus was more directed than many examples. As stated, it's temporary, but it's still quieter and less conspicuous than shooting out the light. |
| 300 | * ''VideoGame/{{Splitgate}}:'' The game's only grenades are EMP, and do no damage to the players nor impair them directly; instead, they shut down all enemy portals in the vicinity of the explosion. |
| 301 | * ''Franchise/StarCraft'': |
| 302 | ** ''VideoGame/StarCraftI'' features an EMP-wielding [[UnitsNotToScale giant]] spaceship. The EMP knocks out shields, making it only useful against one race, but only REALLY useful against Archons, who have 300 shield and only 10 life. The EMP also eliminates the energy of any units that use energy for abilities, so it can be quite helpful against Terran armies as well. It even works on zerg casters, even though their "energy" is their internal supply of symbiotes and biotoxins. [[AcceptableBreaksFromReality But at least it's consistent]]. |
| 303 | ** ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' features the ability on the Ghost. But on a lower scale, only stripping a certain amount of energy off units. |
| 304 | * ''VideoGame/SteelBattalion'' has EMP as a late-game munition, it knocks enemy mechs out and forces them to reboot. Given the game’s dedication to the RealRobotGenre that means an eight-button sequence on the dedicated control panels that can easily take a full minute. |
| 305 | * In ''VideoGame/{{Subnautica}}'', the Crabsquid enemies have a naturally evolved EMP that they will use if they're alerted to the player's presence. This drains all power sources (including the batteries of tools, the power cells of vehicles, and habitat generators), severely hampering the player's ability to defend themselves or flee. Fortunately, the power sources will regain whatever charge they had beforehand after a few seconds, and if the player can't wait that long then they can just swap out the battery/power cell, as spare batteries won't be drained [[ArtisticLicensePhysics and the actual electronics won't be damaged at all]]. As to ''why'' a biological lifeform in a place entirely devoid of electronics has an EMP blast, there is no clear answer, but the PDA speculates it may have something to do with the giant {{Psycho Electric Eel}}s it sometimes shares biomes with. |
| 306 | * ''VideoGame/SystemShock'': |
| 307 | ** The Magpulser is available. It looks strange, but yes, it harms robots a lot (200% damage). It also lives up to its name by barely affecting cyborgs (50% damage) and not affecting mutants at all (0% damage). You can easily get one on the first level of the game (though ammunition is scarce until much later) and it makes fights with robots completely trivial. |
| 308 | ** There are also a couple of other EMP weapons, specifically the EMP grenade, which, when detonated, can screw up your (computer-assisted) interface if you're too close to the blast. It also drains your battery for some reason. There's a more powerful land mine version as well. |
| 309 | ** Sequel ''VideoGame/SystemShock2'' has the EMP rifle while the EMP grenades make a return, which absolutely devastate robotic ''and'' cybernetic enemies (the cyborgs have all their life-support systems in their mechanical parts, meaning that damaging them will kill them), but are absolutely worthless against a purely biological enemy. Since some of the most powerful enemies in the game are biological, it limits the effectiveness of the weapons at specific sections of the game. The rifle, as well as the EMP grenades, however, [[spoiler: will come in ''very'' handy during the FinalBoss fight]]. |
| 310 | * ''VideoGame/TachyonTheFringe'' has two weapons that disable enemy ships and do no physical damage. They can still damage shields, and the disabling effect only works on unshielded opponents. The Tesla EMP Missile used by [[MegaCorp GalSpan]] is guided (i.e. requires a lock before firing), and a single hit on an unshielded ship's hull is usually enough to disable it. However, they're limited in supply, and they still have to hit their target, which is likely to use decoy flares. The EMP Projector used by [[YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters Bora]] is an rapid-fire EnergyWeapon and doesn't have ammo, but it does drain your fighter's battery. It also requires multiple hits to disable an unshielded enemy. One mission involves ambushing and capturing a notorious [[SpacePirates Space Pirate]]. An EMP weapon is a must in this mission. Some wingmen's fighters are equipped with EMP weapons, allowing you to use the "disable target" command. |
| 311 | * In ''VideoGame/TalesFromTheBorderlands'', [[ConArtist Fiona and Sasha]] are trying to sell a counterfeit Vault key to [[{{Cyborg}} Rhys]]. Fiona uses a small EMP device to disable Rhys' ECHO Eye implant, preventing him from scanning the key and seeing it's a fake. [[spoiler: However, neither sister anticipates the device also disabling his [[ArtificialLimbs robotic arm]], making him drop the key and revealing it as a fake when it shatters on the floor.]] |
| 312 | * The ''VideoGame/TeamFortressClassic'' Engineer has EMP grenades, which detonate all of a foe's held shells and explosives. This makes it incredibly deadly against heavier targets such as Soldier and Heavy, but less effective against lighter classes like Scout and Sniper. |
| 313 | * ''VideoGame/TransformersWarForCybertron'' and its sequel, ''VideoGame/TransformersFallOfCybertron'', both have EMP Grenades that warp the optics of whoever they hit, as well as doing a fair bit of damage. |
| 314 | * ''VideoGame/{{Vanquish}}'' has EMP grenades that temporarily paralyze robots, and certain enemies have EMP-type attacks that [[{{Overheating}} overload]] Sam's PoweredArmor and prevent him from using Boost or [[BulletTime ARS]]. |
| 315 | * The submarines in ''VideoGame/WeNeedToGoDeeper'' can use an EMP as an emergency weapon which destroys all enemies surrounding the sub, at the cost of leaving it temporarily defenseless. |
| 316 | * ''VideoGame/XCom'' |
| 317 | ** ''VideoGame/XCOMEnemyUnknown'' |
| 318 | *** You can eventually research the EMP Cannon, an air-to-air weapon that can be used to quickly bring down a UFO without physically damaging its systems. The weapon is very powerful, capable of bringing down an alien ''battleship'' with only two hits. However, it requires the fighter to get very close, so it's really only a good idea on a [[ImportedAlienPhlebotinum Firestorm]], as a regular jet fighter will probably get chewed up by the enemy plasma cannons pretty quickly, even using the Dodge ability. |
| 319 | *** ''[[ExpansionPack Enemy Within]]'' adds "Electro Pulse", a level 3 MEC suit subsystem. It deals 5 damage to anything in the area of effect but the MEC itself and shuts down robotic enemies that aren't destroyed by the blast. [[ArmorPiercingAttack It also ignores the damage reduction skills of Sectopods and psi-shielded Mechtoids]]. |
| 320 | ** ''VideoGame/XCOM2'' has the "Bluescreen Protocol" research[[note]]described in-game as "named for an inexplicable computing phenomenon common before [[AlienInvasion the war]]"[[/note]] that unlocks EMP weapons. Bluescreen Rounds can be equipped by soldiers so that their guns deal extra damage to robotic units and lower their [[HackYourEnemy hack resistance]][[note]]and completely bypass the ADVENT Shieldbearer's DeflectorShields[[/note]], while EMP Grenades (and their upgrades, EMP Bombs) deal even more damage and also have a chance to shutdown robot units for two turns, but can ''only'' affect robotic units. More ambiguously synthetic units like the Codex, Spectre and Gatekeeper take extra damage from EMP attacks, but can't be shutdown or hacked[[note]]though they can be Stunned or Disoriented[[/note]]. |
| 321 | [[/folder]] |
| 322 | |
| 323 | [[folder:Visual Novels]] |
| 324 | * In ''VisualNovel/TheBottomOfTheWell'', the nuclear bombardment causes electronics -- such as Alice's laptop -- to stop working. If players haven't already used the laptop to find the location of a nearby bomb shelter, it's too late to do so. |
| 325 | * In ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'', Kokichi Ouma [[spoiler:gets Miu Iruma to build EMP hammers and bombs for him. He gives them to the other students to get through the [[PlatformHell Death Road of Despair]]]]. The characters later use them to [[spoiler:break into the Exisal hangar. They also serve as piece of evidence in the trial, as Kokichi used one of the Electrobombs to disable the Nanokumas so the mastermind couldn't know who the real victim is]]. |
| 326 | [[/folder]] |
| 327 | |
| 328 | [[folder:Web Animation]] |
| 329 | * ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'': |
| 330 | ** The use of one forms the climax of the season "[[WebAnimation/RedVsBlueTheRecollection Reconstruction]]". The characters also spend a lot of time arguing over whether it's pronounced "E-M-P" or "emp", with even the computer warning using the [[RuleOfFunny latter]] pronunciation, making Washington the only one who uses current pronunciation of E.M.P. |
| 331 | ** In a later season, Sarge built an EMP gun into one of their jeeps. It is eventually abandoned given the obvious drawback that after the gun is fired, it can only be fired again after a minute, while also temporarily killing the "Chupababy"'s engine. |
| 332 | [[/folder]] |
| 333 | |
| 334 | [[folder:Webcomics]] |
| 335 | * In the ''Webcomic/BobAndGeorge'' comics, during the ''VideoGame/MegaMan3'' storyline, Mega Man was able to convert the Magnet Missiles into an EMP. It's very effective, but [[spoiler:he burns them out after two uses.]] The author actually goes into an explanation about how [=EMPs=] work, and why [[spoiler:it didn't work against Snake Man.]] |
| 336 | * In ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}}'' Ecosystems Unlimited uses an EMP generator to [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff1800/fv01720.htm erase digital information]] from used robot parts. It has no effect on post-it notes, though. |
| 337 | * ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'': |
| 338 | ** Doctor Mittelmind [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20100917 has an implanted "pulse cannon"]] which disabled most hardware in the room, and they're lucky [[ExplosiveLeash their collars]] didn't go off. |
| 339 | --->'''Prof. Mezzasalma:''' It ''killed'' him , of course, but her gun ''did'' blow up. |
| 340 | ** The Lion's "roar", an "ætheric" pulse. It disables all mechanism around, including Clanks, as well as [[spoiler:Agatha's collar keeping The Other at bay in her mind]]. |
| 341 | * ''Webcomic/MegaTokyo'': Largo uses one as a rickroll. |
| 342 | * An EMP effect is used by the protagonists of ''Webcomic/MoltenBlade'' to aid their escape from a research facility, generated from a device referred to as an "e-bomb" by one of the characters. |
| 343 | * Annie's choice of superhero name (and the strip title) of ''Webcomic/{{Pulse}}'' is based on this because of her electrical powers. |
| 344 | * ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'' has [[http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2012-09-16 pulsers]] that overcome shielding built into electronics by firing a small particle grenade into the device, the particles and shrapnel tend to thoroughly destroy it. |
| 345 | * Aylee from ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' has her InvoluntaryShapeshifting mutate her into a living EMP generator in response to a [[{{Nanomachines}} nanite infection]]. It caused problems as she had to routinely run away from the house for fear of accidentally setting off one of Riff's inventions. Or worse, erasing Bun-Bun's ''Series/{{Baywatch}}'' video tapes! |
| 346 | * ''Webcomic/{{SSDD}}'': |
| 347 | ** Tin-Head's set-up at Cook Industries has an EMP bomb in case of emergencies. His own neural net is shielded so it wouldn't harm him but everything else in the room is [[http://www.poisonedminds.com/d/20110228.html fried]] [[spoiler: when he triggers it after accidentally contacting [[ContagiousAI the Oracle]], and just to make sure he erases his most recent memory.]] |
| 348 | ** Another time a CAS elite uses an EMP grenade to disable a killer robot, then his partner asks how they're going to get out now that the pulse has [[http://www.poisonedminds.com/d/20130813.html trashed all their gear.]] |
| 349 | * Quentyn from ''Webcomic/TalesOfTheQuestor'' once built a ''magical'' version (involving a keg of salt and copper tubing left under the Luxfont for a few days) in order to neutralize a [[GangBangers street gang's]] magical weaponry. |
| 350 | [[/folder]] |
| 351 | |
| 352 | [[folder:Western Animation]] |
| 353 | * In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/CodeLyoko'', Jeremie built an EMP bomb capable of neutralizing XANA's "ghosts", knocking out people possessed by them. |
| 354 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheDeep2015'': In "Bloop", the Nektons uses an EMP generator to knock out a mining machine that is threatening to destroy a unique coral reef. However, a backup generator kicks in a minute or so later and restarts the machine. |
| 355 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': In "[[Recap/TheLegendOfKorraS4E7Reunion Reunion]]", Varrick [[MacGyvering MacGyvers one up]] at the Earth Empire checkpoint out of a generator, a table, and a screwdriver to defeat the PoweredArmor {{Mook}}s that were overwhelming Bolin and the other escapees. |
| 356 | * ''WesternAnimation/MaxSteel'' has an episode where Roberto builds a handheld, explosion-less EMP projector in a very short timeframe as a method of dealing with super robots gone rogue. This causes a friendly-fire issue, as Max will die if he loses his [[{{Nanomachines}} nanoprobes]]. which are just as vulnerable to EMP, and the robots immediately start a fight instead of helpfully lining up. One of them even goes for the EMP device when Berto hesitates on account of this, presumably intending to aim it at Max. Max solves the problem by taking it and using it himself, thus putting his body behind the direction of the blast. He still takes enough of the EMP to destroy a large portion of his nanoprobes, and loses consciousness while the survivors cannibalize the dead probes to replicate new ones. |
| 357 | * The ''WesternAnimation/MonsterBusterClub'' episode "Pipe Dreams" has Mr. Smith using an EMP (though not called as such exactly, as it's alien technology) to disable the machines of the [[MonsterOfTheWeek Invader of the Week]] before he'd unearth the MBC tunnels and absorb a good part of the town with his TractorBeam. Unfortunately, it disables the kids' weapons and other gizmos as well, so they have to take out the menace hand-to-hand. |
| 358 | * In ''WesternAnimation/RoswellConspiraciesAliensMythsAndLegends'', when the Yeti escaped slavery at the hands of the Lycanthrops, they managed to steal an EMP bomb that they then modified, making it powerful enough to wipe out all life on a planet. |
| 359 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS24E9HomerGoesToPrepSchool Homer Goes to Prep School]]", Homer joins a group of "preppers" who believe an EMP would cause the end of civilization and they would be the only ones ready. When an EMP does occur (thanks to Homer's incompetence, of course), the preppers bug out and hide out in their compound, awaiting the apocalypse. Eventually, the Simpsons return to Springfield with the intent of helping them, but find everything back to normal. It seems that the effects of the surge were only temporary, and with all the crazy people (meaning the preppers) gone, order was restored with surprising ease. |
| 360 | * ''WesternAnimation/StarcomTheUSSpaceforce'': BigBad Emperor Dark develops a powerful EMP device in episode 6. His underlings test it out on Mars, leaving half the planet’s cities without power until [=StarCom=] manages to destroy the device. |
| 361 | * ''Franchise/StarWars'': |
| 362 | ** ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'': |
| 363 | *** Clone troopers often carry EMP grenades, nicknamed "droid poppers". |
| 364 | *** "[[Recap/StarWarsTheCloneWarsS2E18TheZilloBeast The Zillo Beast]]" provides the page image. When the Separatist droid army attacks the planet Malastare, the Republic's important fuel-supplier, and the clone army's efforts to repel them fail, the leadership decides to test their new EMP bomb there. It works, and wins the battle for them, but it also creates a giant sinkhole and awakens the [[NotZilla Zillo Beast]], possibly explaining why they opted to never use the bomb again. |
| 365 | ** ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': In "[[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS1E13FireAcrossTheGalaxy Fire Across the Galaxy]]", Sabine rigs up a stolen TIE fighter with a massive EMP trigger that, when activated, both disables Grand Moff Tarkin's Star Destroyer ''and'' knocks out all of the stormtroopers onboard by overloading their helmet electronics. |
| 366 | * In ''WesternAnimation/StaticShock'', Static is able to create these thanks to his powers over electricity and magnetism. He occasionally faces robots and mechas that are immune to this. |
| 367 | * In ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'', Pearl develops a device like this to shut down Peridot's Robonoids, probably drawing inspiration from the one Peridot herself used when she first appeared. It succeeds in knocking out power to the town, and knocking the Gems off their feet, but the Robonoid is unaffected. |
| 368 | * The ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'' episode "[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003S2E11ModernLoveTheReturnOfNano Modern Love]]" has the turtles whip up an EMP to disable a rampaging {{Nano|machines}}. |
| 369 | * ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'': |
| 370 | ** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'': Ratchet has a wrist-mounted "EMP generator" that can focus an electromagnetic pulse into a ''beam''. It can temporarily knock out most Cybertronians, but Ratchet prefers to use it as a surgical tool, and then only rarely. At full power, it can [[spoiler: wipe an Autobot's entire memory, which accidentally happened to Arcee during the Great War]], hence his reluctance to use it. He and Bumblebee can temporarily knock a flying Decepticon out of the air by combining their normal weapons (electric stingers + magnets). |
| 371 | ** Team Chaar's Blackout, like the movie 'bot who inspired him, can create an electromagnetic shockwave that knocks out nearby machinery... and then bring them back online [[PercussiveMaintenance by doing it again]]. |
| 372 | ** Blaster uses an EMP gun. It blows up normal electronics but Transformers, being more resilient, only suffer from seriously impaired movement coordination (still very painful if you happen to be in jet form at the time). |
| 373 | * In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'', the two {{Badass Normal}}s on the team are stuck fighting a pair of super-powered androids. Halfway through the episode, Artemis refers to the two as "machines" and it dawns on Robin that they can use one of these to beat them, since they'll never be a match for them as-is. They cannibalize a vircator from an X-ray machine in the medical lab and hook it up to their main power generator in order to pull it off. |
| 374 | [[/folder]] |
| 375 | |
| 376 | ---- |
| 377 | -->''"[[WebAnimation/RedVsBlue Emp]]?! [[TheStinger You have got to be fucking ki]]--"'' |
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