Prism Cannon

The Prism Cannon is an extremely potent basic weapon used by the Psipsid Combine, capable of dealing significant amounts of ENG damage to multiple targets in one turn. Its ability to damage enemy forces that are direct behind its original target make it a good choice for defending friendly territory from intrusive enemy weapons and technologies.

Story
When Psi-based weaponry is rendered ineffective, either by enemy defenses or circumstances completely beyond the control of Psipsid commanders, the Psipsid Combine's selection of advanced Vivovi laser weapons is brought into play. Even prior to their absorption into the Psipsid Combine, the Vivovi were extremely skilled in designing and maintaining advanced laser weaponry, using them in virtually all of their military units. The simple, yet effective, design of these weapons is what drew the Psipsid to adopt them after they had conquered the Vivovi, as they gave the Psipsid staying power in direct combat against other species they hoped to assimilate. The usefulness of Vivovi laser weaponry in many different situations has made these weapons an integral part of the Psipsid Combine's arsenal in the Arena Conflict, and they have proven to be an equal, if not greater, match for the standard siege weapons of the other contenders. The Psipsid themselves are very proud of these weapons, as they believe their siege lasers are more refined and elegant than the crude projectile weapons of many other contenders, thereby signifying the inherent superiority of the Psipsid Combine and its technology.

The Prism Cannon, though one of the more basic incarnations of Vivovi laser technology, is a remarkably effective piece of equipment, due mostly to its ability to strike enemies in multiple locations at once. Using a massive Vivovi light reactor, a high-density laser is fired upwards into a suspended diffraction crystal, which can be rotated and positioned so as to strike enemy targets with pinpoint accuracy. The design of this diffraction crystal allows it to split the Prism Cannon's beam in half, striking enemy forces in two opposite locations at once. Manipulation of the Prism Cannon's diffraction crystal is performed with extreme delicacy, as even the slightest misalignment can cause the beam to diffuse and scorch nearby friendly infrastructure.

Gameplay
Combining a decent amount of durability and damage, the Prism Cannon is a very effective basic weapon, occupying an important role in the Psipsid arsenal as a reliable direct damage dealer. With very well-rounded stats, the Prism Cannon can easily hold its own against enemy forces in the early-game, and its usefulness is extended well into the mid-game thanks to its unique ability. When choosing a target, the Prism Cannon can also fire on a second target in the same turn that is located in the sector opposite its first target, relative to the sector containing the cannon. This means that, if its original target is located two sectors in front of it, a Prism Cannon can also fire on an enemy target two sectors behind it, as well. The same goes for targets that are right/left of the cannon. This makes the Prism Cannon very good at not just offense, but defense, as well. Prism Cannons that are placed near the frontlines can both provide direct fire support, and deter enemy forces that attempt to navigate around your forward defenses, which can help deter the advances of Transhuman Engines or aggressive Halax teleportation. In combination with the Beam Conduit, the Prism Cannon is arguably the single most versatile basic weapon of any race, capable of targeting enemies at great distances and hitting multiple targets in one turn.

While already very powerful, the special ability of the Prism Cannon can be improved further through the Quadratic Laser Focusing upgrade. This upgrade allows Prism Cannons to hit additional targets along all four axis of their range (forward, backward, left and right), making it possible for a single Prism Cannon to fire on up to four different enemy targets in a single turn. Not only does this upgrade make the Prism Cannon better at defense, it also makes Prism Cannons much more destructive if located deep in enemy territory. Combined with Psi Capture or weapons that can turn enemy territory over to the Psipsid, a Psipsid commander can place new Prism Cannons behind enemy lines to attack several important enemy targets at once, dealing huge amounts of combined damage. Although its ENG damage can be blocked through sufficient shielding or resistance, the Prism Cannon's capacity to attack numerous enemy targets in rapid succession makes it a force to be reckoned with.