GURPS Special Forces

Story

Characters

World

Reference

Sonic Weapon

Summary

The Sonic Weapon is a high-tech device integrated directly into the Voss Combat Suit worn by Major Jenkins. It emits a powerful humming pressure wave that is capable of causing severe nausea, disorientation, and unconsciousness in targets. This was the system that proved decisive during Operation Living Bomb when traditional methods of incapacitation—tranquilizers and chemical gas—failed against The Exploding Man.

The weapon functions as a backup system when conventional tactics are insufficient. However, activation of the Sonic Weapon comes at a significant tactical cost: the blast completely drains the suit’s power reserves, leaving the operator with only the suit’s passive Damage Resistance (DR 70 torso, DR 50 elsewhere) and without access to the suit’s other enhanced systems. This represents a calculated trade-off between immediate incapacitation and sustained combat capability.

Properties / Stats

Effect:

  • Emits a powerful humming pressure wave
  • Causes severe nausea and potential unconsciousness in affected targets
  • Effective range: Unknown
  • Effective against targets resistant to tranquilizers and chemical agents

Operational Impact:

  • Successfully incapacitated The Exploding Man when tranquilizers and gas failed
  • Team headsets went dark momentarily to protect operators from the blast during deployment
  • Completely discharges the Voss Combat Suit’s power reserves upon activation

Power Cost:

  • Activation: Total power drain
  • Post-discharge State: Suit retains passive DR only; enhanced strength, jumping, and other powered systems become unavailable
  • Recharge requirements: Unknown

Appearances

  • [Session 01 - Operation Living Bomb](…/chapters/Chapter 1 - Living Bomb/Sessions/session-01-operation-living-bomb.html): Deployed by Major Jenkins against The Exploding Man. Successfully incapacitates target despite high resistance to conventional incapacitation methods.