"Speak softly and carry a big stick" is good advice, but sometimes you just need to be the loudest thing in the room.
In the crowded market of laser pistols and projectile throwers, the Boom Pistol stands out by turning volume into violence. Resembling a weaponized megaphone, this martial sidearm uses focused sound waves to rupture organs, shatter glass, and make a mockery of enemy cover. If you are looking for a sidearm that trades subtle precision for raw, destructive utility, this is your next purchase.
Boom Pistol
A boom pistol resembles a megaphone with a trigger, emitting sudden bursts of sound capable of shattering bulletproof glass or rupturing organs.
Commercial Boom Pistol Weapon 0
Source Player Core pg. 264
Price 30c; Damage 1d6 Sonic;
Bulk 1; Hands 1; Range 40 ft
Upgrades 1; Tracking: -
Category Martial
Group Sonic
Magazine 10 charges; Expend 2
Tactical Boom Pistol Weapon 2
Price 380c; Damage 1d6 Sonic;
Upgrades 1; Tracking: +1
Advanced Boom Pistol Weapon 4
Price 10.2Y; Damage 2d6 Sonic;
Upgrades 2; Tracking: +1
Superior Boom Pistol Weapon 10
Price 100Y; Damage 2d6 Sonic;
Upgrades 2; Tracking: +2
Elite Boom Pistol Weapon 12
Price 200Y; Damage 3d6 Sonic;
Upgrades 3; Tracking: +2
Ultimate Boom Pistol Weapon 16
Price 1000Y; Damage 3d6 Sonic;
Upgrades 3; Tracking: +3
Paragon Boom Pistol Weapon 19
Price 4000Y; Damage 4d6 Sonic;
Upgrades 4; Tracking: +3
Critical Specialization Effects
Certain feats, class features, weapon runes, and other effects can grant you additional benefits when you make a Strike with certain weapons and get a critical success. This is called a critical specialization effect. The exact effect depends on which weapon group your weapon belongs to, as listed below. You can always decide not to add the critical specialization effect of your weapon.
Sonic The target must succeed at a Fortitude save against your class DC or be deafened for 1 minute.
Why It’s Worth Your Credits
1. Sonic Supremacy
Resistance to fire (lasers) and physical damage is common. Resistance to Sonic damage is rare. Whether you are fighting heavily armored automatons, gelatinous rift-entities, or void-hardened mercenaries, sound waves tend to bypass the defenses that stop other weapons cold. It is the reliable "skeleton key" of damage types—it almost always works.
2. The "Charge Shot" Loop (Boost 1d8)
The defining feature of the Boom Pistol is the Boost trait. By spending an Interact action to "charge" the weapon before firing, you add an extra 1d8 damage die to your attack.
Standard Shot: 1d6 damage.
Boosted Shot: 1d6 + 1d8 damage.
This is excellent for mobile skirmishers. If you have to move and only have time for one shot, spending your third action to Boost ensures that single hit hits like a truck. As you upgrade the weapon to higher tiers (Advanced, Elite, Paragon), this boost scales to +2d8, +3d8, and eventually +4d8, keeping the weapon relevant into high-level play.
3. The Bunker Buster (Razing)
The Razing trait makes this pistol a nightmare for the environment. It deals double damage dice to objects, structures, and shields.
Enemy taking cover behind a door? Blow the door off its hinges.
Opponent blocking with a shield? Shatter it.
Need to create an exit? The Boom Pistol is effectively a ranged breaching tool.
Who Should Buy It?
The Operative: If you prefer big, single hits over a spray of bullets, this pairs beautifully with your mobility. Move, Boost, Shoot.
The Envoy: It’s a weapon that literally kills people with "loud noises." Thematically perfect for a character who commands attention.
The Breacher: If your party lacks a heavy weapon specialist, keeping a Boom Pistol in a holster gives you a pocket solution for destroying physical barriers without wasting grenades.
Tactical Note
The Boom Pistol consumes 2 charges per shot from a 10-charge battery, giving you 5 shots before you need to reload. While this is plenty for a skirmish, keep a spare battery handy. The Deafened critical specialization effect is also a nice bonus, potentially cutting off enemy communication or coordination in the heat of battle.
Ready to make some noise? The Commercial Boom Pistol is available at most major settlements for 30 cinders.
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