Plasma Cutters

Plasma Cutters, colloquially known as tank cutters are melee weapons equipped with on-board plasma generators. The plasma flows in a magnetically-locked arc around the blade to generate a super-heated cutting edge or blunt striking surface. Nearly any classic melee weapon can be used as a form for a plasma cutter, though smaller weapons such as knives and daggers are considered unsuitable due to the lack of space for plasma generation and power packs.

Due to the skill required to build these weapons and the specialized materials, commercial models are unavailable. Military grade models are rare, and for the most part these weapons are considered curiosities as melee combat was an antiquated skill until revived by Ghost Wolf Company.

Military-grade Plasma Cutters
All plasma cutters are biometrically locked to their wielder; these locks cannot be disengaged except by an override from a lieutenant or commander. This means they will not operate for anyone but the owner. When a soldier qualifies for a plasma cutter, the weapon is normally custom-made. After biometrics have been measured, the construction process takes five days.

History
The Ghost Wolves gained fame as a mobile infantry company because of their invention and use of a variety of melee weapons with plasma arcs in the cutting edges. The weapons--and their wielders--became colloquially known as tank cutters.

The reason for this rather bizarre invention was a dearth of regular metal ores close to the city of Proles during the mining days. However, all of the Proles ore deposits were rich in REEs, which encouraged engineering solutions to war rather than heavy armoring.