An Energy Bow was a type of energy weapon used by multiple cultures throughout the galaxy as an alternative to a Blaster.
Characteristics
A Nightsister wields an energy bow
Consisting of a carbon-alloy bow with a plasma coupler string - a variant technology to the Energy binders that tie Podracer engines together - the energy bow was a modern analog to its more ancient counterpart. When the drawstring was pulled back, usually by means of a small finger grip, plasma was drawn out of a plasma reservoir in the bow's grip to create an "arrow" of concentrated plasma; drawing the bow required strength, sufficient enough that a child would have difficulty drawing it back.[1][2] This drawstring drew power independently of the bow's plasma reserves - when all arrows were spent, the string was often used to cut and electrocute, making the bow a handy backup melee weapon.[1]
While slower firing and seemingly less efficient than modern blasters, the energy bow held two distinct advantages over such weapons. The first was its exceptional armor-piercing ability; the concentrated plasma arrows were capable of penetrating all but the thickest armor platings, and was capable of exceeding even a heavy rifle in terms of power.[1] The second was its pinpoint accuracy - with virtually no bolt deviation, the accuracy of the energy bow was entirely up to the skill of the wielder.[1]
Like a lightsaber, a user who lets the force guide each plasma arrow can be extraordinarily lethal, landing miraculous shots that can bring down even the toughest targets with ease.[1]
History
The bounty hunter Shalla Mondatha was known to wield one such weapon.[3] Those built by the Nightsisters of Dathomir were plasma-based.[4] The soldier Jannah used a variant of the energy bow that imparted an energetic charge to a physical arrow during the war between the First Order and the Resistance.[5] Zygerrian enslavers on Ord Mantell also utilized energy bows, which later Omega took as her primary weapon.[2]
