Top10 Iconic Star Wars Blasters You Can’t Miss!

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Star Wars, fundamentally, carries a Western spirit and includes numerous striking firearms throughout its epic tale – these space weapons are famously known as blasters. In a distant galaxy, George Lucas reimagined the ray guns of his childhood, merging the concept of lasers with bullets. While the in-universe explanation for their function involves complex technical jargon like superheated gas, it’s clear that fans are mainly captivated by the badass image of Han Solo when he wields one. To enhance this appeal, Lucasfilm’s propmasters creatively designed most blasters based on real-world weaponry, adding subtle alien elements to create a distinctly intergalactic appearance.

In a similar vein to Han Solo’s famous words, “There’s no replacement for a reliable firearm,” we pay tribute to the preferred weapon of the Star Wars universe – the blaster. Here’s our list of the 10 most impressive blasters in the galaxy.

10) Jawa Ion Blaster

Reconstructed from leftover parts and resembling an antique cannon, the Jawa Ion Blaster possesses a considerable amount of power, though it’s effective only on droids. Much like other ion weapons in the Star Wars universe, this weapon used by the Jawas is primarily employed to immobilize electronic devices without causing harm to living beings. The Jawas often utilized their ion blasters to incapacitate any droids they came across during scavenging expeditions. Subsequently, these stunned droids would be transported back to their Sandcrawler for repairs before being resold by the desert traders.

9) E-11 Medium Blaster Rifle

The go-to weapon for Stormtroopers, the E-11 blaster rifle, was the Empire’s reliable workhorse. This weapon was wielded to instill fear and suppress rebellions throughout the galaxy, often being the final sight Rebels had before joining the Force. Due to its resemblance to the British Sterling submachine gun, the E-11 had a tangible heft that many prop weapons lacked.

8) ELG-3A Blaster Pistol

In a different wording, the ELG-3A, famously recognized as the Naboo Royal Pistol, was Queen Padme Amidala’s preferred weapon of choice. Unlike the bulky, black firearms from the original Star Wars trilogy, the ELG-3A, debuted in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, boasts a sleek chrome design that echoes Flash Gordon’s futuristic aesthetic rather than World War II weaponry. This distinctive pistol belongs to a subclass called holdout blasters, which are recognized by their compact size and sophisticated design, making them simple to hide and ideal for gamblers, dignitaries, or anyone else who wanted to keep their galactic firepower discreet.

While the ELG-3A may appear delicate due to its ornate design, it’s important to note that beneath its aesthetically pleasing exterior lies significant power. This blaster is not just for show; it can easily pierce a standard B1 battle droid with ease.

7) MWC-35c “Staccato Lightning” Repeating Cannon

The MWC-35c “Staccato Lightning” rapid-fire weapon is quite a formidable name, reflecting its powerful nature. Equipped with an impressive ammo capacity of 35,000 rounds, this blaster necessitated the user to don a bulky coolant tank on their back to prevent overheating during use. As demonstrated in the movie ‘Rogue One’, the MWC-35c boasts sufficient firepower to transform an individual into a one-person military force. Freelance assassin-turned-Rebel, Baze Malbus, wielded this rapid cannon frequently throughout the film, and single-handedly eliminated an entire garrison of Stormtroopers.

6) Westar-34 Blaster Pistol

George Lucas deliberately emphasized the gunslinger persona in the creation of Jango Fett, the Mandalorian bounty hunter from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. Instead of equipping Jango with just one weapon like his son Boba, Lucas outfitted the elder Fett with a pair of menacing pistols, reminiscent of an old-west bandit, holstered low on his hips. The signature weapon of Jango – the Westar-34 blaster pistol – is engineered for rapid draw shootouts, similar to those frequent in western films. While Jango’s pistols are visually striking, it’s the distinctive twist they introduce to the typical “pew-pew” Star Wars blaster sound that truly warrants their inclusion on this list.

For those who are Star Wars enthusiasts of a specific age, gazing upon the image above instantly evoked the unique sound the Westar-34 emits upon firing. For others who might not be familiar with it, they can listen to that sound right here.

5) Wookie Bowcaster

Have you ever spotted Chewbacca carrying something like this and thought, “Is it a crossbow or a blaster?” Well, in the Star Wars universe, it’s actually both – they are called Bowcasters. Unique to this universe, these weapons fire a metal arrow encased in plasma, making their projectiles resemble blaster bolts but with an extra force that only comes from a physical shot. In other words, Bowcaster shots look like blasts but have more power. These weapons require immense strength to load, which is why they are rarely used by species other than Wookies due to the high effort required.

Why waste your time with a weapon that requires you to injure yourself just to load it? After all, Bowcasters are as powerful as they are in the hands of a Wookiee like Chewbacca. The bowcaster he carried in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, for instance, was so potent that it could send its target flying through the air like a tossed doll. Truly, that’s some serious firepower!

4) Ezra Bridger’s Lightsaber

Indeed, you’ve got it! The fourth most impressive blaster in the galaxy is actually a lightsaber. To be specific, this unique lightsaber was crafted by the Jedi-in-training, Ezra Bridger from the series Star Wars Rebels. Ezra, knowing he needed a lightsaber that wouldn’t reveal his Force abilities to everyone, constructed one with an integrated blaster. This dual-function weapon enabled Ezra to defend himself and participate in firefights without disclosing his Jedi identity during an era when the space wizards were scarcely found. The exceptional hybrid weapon bridged the gap between Star Wars’ most iconic weapons, allowing Ezra to stand his ground against Darksiders and Stormtroopers alike.

3)  Amban Phase-Pulse Blaster

Among all the blasters in this collection, the Amban phase-pulse blaster stands out as the most unusual in appearance. In essence, it resembles a rifle adorned with a tuning fork at its tip. The first appearance of the Amban was in an infrequently watched animated segment nestled within the unpopular Star Wars: Holiday Special. This short film, titled “The Faithful Wookie” and streamable on Disney+, not only introduced the phase-pulse blaster but also the character of Boba Fett. However, it portrayed Boba Fett with a slightly altered color scheme.

In the future, enthusiasts will witness the Amban blaster being utilized by Din Djarin on The Mandalorian, a weapon that could either render an adversary unconscious or eliminate them outright, depending on its adjustment. Although no official explanation has been given for why Darth Vader instructed Boba Fett, “No disintegrations!”, in The Empire Strikes Back, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Amban phase-pulse blaster played a role in this exchange.

2) EE-3 Carbine Rifle

In a fantastic blend of science fiction style, Boba Fett stands out with an exceptionally cool appearance, and it’s only fitting that he wields an equally impressive weapon. The EE-3 is quite peculiar; its compact barrel contrasts with its long rifle stock, yet somehow, these components harmoniously create a blaster that’s both distinctive and imposing in appearance. In the realm of western films, there were usually two kinds of cowboys: those who favored revolvers and those who relied on shotguns to make their mark. Jango Fett was reminiscent of the former, while his offspring, Boba, embodies the image of an outlaw more focused on raw firepower than refined shooting skills.

The EE-3, much like Fett, is a no-nonsense killer that gets the job done with minimal fuss.

1) DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol

As a devoted cinephile, when I hear the term “blaster,” my mind instantly pictures the DL-44. This iconic weapon is none other than Han Solo’s signature piece – the epitome of a scoundrel extraordinaire in the Star Wars universe. While the Skywalker lightsaber may hold the top spot, the heavy blaster pistol comes a close second in terms of legendary status.

Inspired by the German Mauser, the DL-44 was ingeniously crafted using components from various sources, such as model airplanes, real airplanes, and even sniper rifles. The end product is undeniably one of the coolest movie weapons ever designed. Merely gazing upon it evokes an image of a charismatic outlaw effortlessly escaping from the tightest of predicaments with a blast.

In the Star Wars galaxy, there are numerous types of blasters, ranging from large to compact, lengthy to short. However, none can rival the greatness of Han Solo’s DL-44; it stands above the rest in every aspect.

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2025-04-01 22:11