Energy Weapons

Energy weapons are a specialized category of weaponry that utilizes energy as the primary mechanism for causing damage to enemy combatants. However, during a zombie apocalypse, these types of weapons are highly unlikely to be readily available, as humanity is just beginning to learn how to develop such advanced weaponry, particularly in the form of lasers. Nonetheless, in science fiction narratives where zombies feature as a prominent theme, energy weapons are often portrayed as being abundant.

Energy Melee Weapons[]

When considering energy weapons, one particular type that often comes to mind is those which incorporate energy as a fundamental component. These weapons typically feature blades composed of a specific energy that has the ability to cut through virtually any known substance. However, in universes where these weapons exist, there may be substances that can either short-circuit or display resistance to the effects of such weapons.

Lightsabers[]

The lightsaber is a renowned weapon used by both the Jedi and Sith in the Star Wars universe. It comprises a hilt made of diverse materials and crystals of varying colors. When activated, the hilt emits a blade of shaped plasma that is contained through a field. The lightsaber possesses formidable power, capable of slicing through nearly any life form or substance, including zombies generated by the Blackwing Virus. The origins of the lightsaber can be traced back to the ancient Rakatans, who initially created the Force Sabers. As centuries passed, force-sensitive individuals improved upon the original design, resulting in the iconic weapon known as the lightsaber. In addition to the standard model, lightsabers are also available in curved, shotos, staffs, pikes, clubs, and other variations.

While an effective weapon 90% of the time, the lightsaber is incapable of slicing through specific materials and can short circuit in water if not properly modified. Materials include Beskar, Phrik Alloy, Armor Weave and even the scaled armor of the extinct Zillo Beast. The crystals that reside in the weapon are typically living, referred to as kyber crystals, which are known to attune itself to those they choose, which is a common practice amongst the Jedi. Sith however, either have used synthetic crystals in their weapons, or have taken kyber crystals from fallen Jedi lightsabers and have poured all their negative energy into it, causing the blade to bleed. Victims cut or sliced by the blade of a lightsaber, typically experience wounds that are cauterized most of the time, rarely causing bleeding.

Crucible[]

An extremely powerful energy based sword, the Crucible is a powerful weapon in the arsenal of the Doom Slayer. The weapon possesses a hilt, which can be powered by the energies of Wraiths or Hell, possibly even Argent Energy. The weapon, once charged into the hilt, produces a blade of red energy with hellish runes upon it. The weapon is capable of killing demons and zombies with just one swing and is one of the weapons capable of neutralizing a titan. The weapon was first introduced in Doom (2016), with a hilt composed of demonic bones and flesh, but in Doom: Eternal, it was revealed that there are more than one type of Crucible

The Slayer himself had a Crucible of his own, made from a wrapped handle and dark gray metal guard, while a member of the Night Sentinels, which he lost when he neutralized a titan. In order to ensure the titan didn't come back, he broke the blade off into the creature, permanently neutralizing it and reforged it himself with a disc to the hilt and dipped in a pool of either molten metal or wraith energy to restore the blade. Surprisingly as well, the weapon can also be used as an alternate power source instead of Argent energy. The Dark Lord also possesses a crucible, which takes on the form of a large greatsword.

Ranged Energy Weapons[]

When energy melee weapons are not available in certain science fiction, there are other weapons that are capable of producing energy based projectiles at great ranges. Some are capable of stunning, while others are capable of actually disintegrating a target.

Blasters[]

In the Star Wars universe, aside from the use of the lightsaber, those who don't carry such a weapon are usually found carrying a blaster. These varying energy based weapons are capable of firing projectiles of intense and concentrated energy at a target from great distances and are powered by tibanna gas. They vary from small hold-out pistols to massive and more powerful mounted repeating turrets. They are able to produce a stun, as well as disintegration, however are also capable of simply blast a hole through unarmored targets with ease. Like the lightsaber, blasters are based around Rakatan technology, but perfected over the centuries. It's even excellent against zombies, like those infected with the Blackwing Virus.

Phasers[]

Seen in the Star Trek universe, phasers are the primary armament adopted by the United Federation of Planets and their allies. They initially started out as Phase Pistols in the 22nd century, but by the 23rd century, were well known as phasers. These weapons are designed with a stun setting at lower power levels, kill at medium power levels and disintegration at maximum and come in at least 3 different small arm forms. These arms consist of the Type-1 small units, which are able to be mounted on top of some Type-2 units. The Type-2s are a much bigger hand unit, usually taking the form of an actual gun. The final is Type-3, which comes in a rifle configuration, with anything higher than that being mounted on ships.

Wonder Weapons[]

In the Call of Duty zombie mode, there are weapons which are capable of generating powerful bolts of energy, which can do more damage than conventional arms. These weapons, known as Wonder Weapons, vary in terms of what energy they produce, as well as how they can be obtained and of course, upgraded. Not all of the Wonder Weapons produce energy bolts, but there are a significant amount which indeed possess such a capability.

Ray Gun: One of the very first energy weapons in the list of Wonder Weapons, the Ray Gun is a hand held pistol, which fires green bolts of energy, which typically will dispatch enemy combatants with a singular shot. As the zombies gain durability however, the bolts become less and less effective and as a result, the gun can be upgraded to fire bolts of different colors, as well as increased damage. The gun fires a maximum of 20 rounds initially, but upgrading the gun doubles that capacity.
Wunderwaffer DG-2: An experimental rifle, the Wunderwaffe DG-2 was created in Der Riese during World War 2 by Dr. Edward Richtofen. The weapon fires from a 3 round magazine, which is doubled if upgraded and fires a bolt of electricity, which fries targeted zombies from the inside out, but also chains the energy into nearby zombies, which does the same to them. The weapon is powerful, but it's due to this that the gun has less ammo.
Thunder Gun: Introduced in Kino Der Toten, the Thundergun is designed to fire compressed air, with no iron sights. The compressed air itself emits enough kinetic energy to force a zombie back, either to kill them or slow them down, depending on their durability. It fires from a 2 round magazine, but when pack-a-punched, will fire from a magazine of 4 rounds.
V-R11: A unique wonder weapon, which when used on an undead target, the energy produced by it will cause the zombie targeted and hit with it to revert back to human form. This then makes them a target of the zombies to divert them from the survivors. The weapon fires from a 9 round magazine initially, but doubles when upgraded.
31-79 JGb215: A weapon introduced in Shangri-La, this wonder weapon is essentially a shrink ray, which will shrink the body of zombies, allowing them to either be kicked easily or simply killed with any weapon. It's initial magazine is 5 rounds, but upgraded is 8 rounds.
Wave Gun: A 2 for 1 special, the Wave gun comes in 2 configurations. The first of which is the Zap Gun Dual Wield, which fires bolts of electricity at targets like the DG-2, but only hits the zombie targeted. The second form is the Wave Gun, which allows the user to combine both pistols into one, which fires an energy that causes zombies in the blast radius to cough up blood, slowly expand and then finally explode. The weapon is semi-automatic, with an initial magazine of 8 rounds for the dual wielded zap gun and 2 for the wave gun, but can be upgraded to 12 rounds for the zap gun and 4 rounds for the wave gun.
Ray Gun Mark 2: The successor to the original ray gun, the mark 2 variant was designed based around a rifle configuration. The weapon fires the same type of energy as it's predecessor, with the only exception being that it fires from a 3 round burst, with a clip inserted into the back of it. It's initial magazine is 21 rounds, but upgraded will be that of 42 rounds.
Elemental Staffs: Introduced in Origins, these staffs were remade via the use of elemental stones, which consist of lightning, ice, fire and air. Dr. Maxis created replicas to replace those lost to history and as such, serve the crew of origins. The weapons initially have a magazine of 9 rounds, but can be upgraded to that of 12.
Apothicon Servant: A unique weapon, featuring an organic appearance, the Apothicon Servant will, when fired, produce a purple-colored black hole which will suck a zombie in and kill them instantly if they get too close, regardless of their durability. The initial magazine consists of 1 round, which remains that way even when upgraded.
Wrath of the Ancients: A unique addition to the Wonder Weapon arsenal, the Wrath of the Ancients is a uniquely elemental bow and arrow, which fires from a magazine of 60 arrows, with 75 upgraded.

Doom Weapons[]

The series of Doom has been a long running first-person shooter game, which introduces the players to countless new enemies, power ups, collectibles and weapons. Amongst the armaments the Doom Slayer has been using, energy weapons are also amongst them.

Ballista:
BFG 9000:
Plasma Gun:
Unmaykr:

Phased Plasma Weapons[]

Initially, in The Terminator franchise, the computer known as Skynet was using contemporary firearms for it's troops, but they began adopting the more lethal phased plasma weapons for later units until it's inevitable defeat by Tech-Com. Phased plasma weaponry are powerful, directed energy based weapons, capable of going through flesh like a knife through butter. In the recent addition to the operators of Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Warzone, there is the T-800 and T-1000 from Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Both machines also come with blueprints that fire violet plasma rounds, capable of both setting zombies ablaze or completely disintegrate them.