Plasma Weapon

Early plasma weapons released megajoules of thermal and kinetic energy from atmospheric contact with fired bolts of plasma, with secondary laser impact and electrostatic discharges.

Plasma weaponry became efficient with the advent of controlled nuclear fusion and the usage of fusion-grade fuel. They fire bolts of plasma that undergo thermonuclear fusion in-flight. This enormously amplifies the energy release at orders of magnitude higher than previous generations, at the cost of higher energy requirements.

The final advance in plasma weaponry comes with the use of magnetic monopoles. This enhances both the strength and compactness of the plasma magnetic envelope. In atmosphere, primary energy release is thermonuclear with an equivalent shock wave and heat release, with a secondary laser impact. In the vacuum of space, energy release is x-ray, with secondary laser impact. Monopole-catalyzed fusion weapons have energy yields in the fractional kiloton to multi-megaton range and due to their contained nuclear blasts have rather apocalyptic-sounding names.

An iconic weapon from Star Wars was the lightsaber which was a sword that had a plasma blade powered by a kyber crystal. It was a weapon that required skill and training, and was greatly enhanced when used in conjunction with the Force. A lightsaber could cut through virtually anything.