# What is your favourite fictional weapon? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 17, 2008, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947 "2008-09-17T03:35:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/41 "2008-09-17T14:45:58Z")
I came in to say the soft weapon or ice-9. ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/42 "2008-09-17T14:52:27Z")
Force lance ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/43 "2008-09-17T15:03:18Z")
The [Star Brand](http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/starbd.htm). Stated elsewhere: “Essentially, the Star Brand is a zero-point energy collector, drawing power from the fabric of space-time itself. It is unlimited in potential, though the upper limits of the star-like tattoo of power are determined by the imagination of its wielder.” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/44 "2008-09-17T15:03:45Z")
I’ll take the Vorpal Sword. It’s not the fact that it chops off heads, it’s that it goes \*snicker-snack \*while doing it. How cool is that? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/45 "2008-09-17T15:05:16Z")
I’ve always been fond of the sandman’s Weapon from the movie _Logan’s Run_. It had the same effect on its target as a standard sci-fi raygun, but it had a cooler visual effect. This was the best picture I could find on a quick search. > **[Logan's Run (1976)](https://www.imdb.com/media/rm3546650624/tt0074812)** > > "Logan's Run," Michael York 1976 MGM It looked a lot better in a motion picture, than in a still photograph. Nifty trivia: The effect was not added in post-production. The actor’s prop actually shot real flames. (Yeah, I know, it was just an oversized cigarette lighter, but it still looked awesome.) ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/46 "2008-09-17T15:08:37Z")
Fully-stocked, fully-operational Death Star. I wouldn’t use it as a weapon, but it would be nice to know I’d never have to worry about food, air, and shelter for the rest of my life. For something I’d actually use, I’d go with a Green Lantern Corps power ring. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/47 "2008-09-17T15:15:32Z")
A 1920’s-style “Death Ray”. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/48 "2008-09-17T15:23:28Z")
[del]Either the portal gun[/del] No, just the portal gun. Instant teleportation and making the laws of physics your bitch? Sign me up! ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/49 "2008-09-17T15:27:37Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > [del]Either the portal gun[/del] No, just the portal gun. Instant teleportation and making the laws of physics your bitch? Sign me up! :smack: Sorry Lazy Gun… I don’t love you anymore. GlaDOS has a better weapon for me. (And it comes with cake too, doesn’t it?) ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/50 "2008-09-17T15:33:12Z")
Another Larry Niven creation: the Wizard’s Wheel. ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/51 "2008-09-17T15:39:35Z")
The Wave Motion Gun from Star Blazers ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/52 "2008-09-17T16:44:53Z")
The Sandman blaster pistol from Logans Run: small, black, evil looking with flame jets no less. When I was nine I wanted a **Stereo Zapper** for use on my school bus. I give top marks to anyone who remembers that obscure reference. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/53 "2008-09-17T16:49:31Z")
The Bowel Disrupter from Transmetropolitan. It may usually be non-lethal but no one wants to mess with someone who has one. ---
**Author:** ![Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/54 "2008-09-17T18:23:31Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > The light saber of course. I think of it as being not as clumsy or random as a blaster, but an elegant weapon for a more civilized time. Robot Chicken Star Wars depicted one drawback to light sabers, seen at 2:20 into this clip: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh--7zuPSzM](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh--7zuPSzM) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/55 "2008-09-17T22:14:27Z")
> [@labtrash](#): > > The Wave Motion Gun from Star Blazers DAMN YOU! Beat me to it. OK, either Alan Scott’s Green Lantern Ring & Battery, or Starman’s Cosmic Rod. ---
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/56 "2008-09-17T22:38:51Z")
\Man, I wish we had one o’ them doomsday machines.\ Rob ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/57 "2008-09-17T22:52:41Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Another Larry Niven creation: the Wizard’s Wheel. D’oh! I meant the Warlock’s Wheel, of course! ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/58 "2008-09-17T23:10:17Z")
Brainiac’s shrink ray. It’s the ultimate collector’s weapon. Excalibur. The original magic sword. Classy. Plus it makes you king of England, which is a nice bonus feature. The Spear of Destiny. Not flashy, but an interesting conversation piece nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/59 "2008-09-17T23:17:32Z")
Hold on a second. All you people talking about wanting a Soft Weapon. I don’t think you’ve thought things through. I grant you that this is an incredibly powerful, and sophisticated weapon. But, it’s also a relict of a genocidal war. A genocidal war against a race of telepaths. Don’t forget, that high power computer is _smart_ and may even be sentient. Whether it is sentient, or not, doesn’t matter, though. What matters is that the Soft Weapon is _paranoid_. Whether it’s truly insane, as a sentient being, or if it’s simply been programmed that way as a tool, the effect remains that if you cannot prove to it that you are on it’s side in that genocidal war I mentioned, it will destroy itself to avoid capture. And since it works on the total conversation of matter to energy, that destruction of itself will probably be enough to destroy you, too. I don’t want my weapons to be judging whether it is in the weapon’s best intersts to allow me to keep breathing. Especially not if the weapon is insane. The two weapons I like best are Larry Niven’s variable sword, and David Weber’s warp gun from the _Dahak_ books. The warp gun is an energy weapon that builds a hyper field around the target, sending the target into hyperspace. And leaving it there. Silent and leaving lovely hemispherical divots taken from the battlefield. ETA: Unless it only sends _part_ of a person into hyperspace… ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947/60 "2008-09-17T23:48:59Z")
> [@](#): > > by **First Among Daves** > Elric is a Michael Moorcock creation, yes? How interesting. I wonder which came first? Elric, by 22 years and 1 month. > [@](#): > > [Elric of Melniboné - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elric) > Elric first appeared in print in 1961 in Michael Moorcock’s novelette “The Dreaming City” (_Science Fantasy_ #47 June 1961). > [@](#): > > [Katana (DC Comics) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana_(comics)) > Katana is a fictional character, a superhero published by DC Comics. She first appeared in the _The Brave and The Bold #200_ (July 1983) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-fictional-weapon/463947.md?page=4)