[The_Giant_Mantis]

I think plasma is just a general term for super heated matter, a step above gasseous state (solid, liquid, gas, plasma) I can't remember what they use in 40k, maybe hydrogen? I think it's described as undergoing fusion, like a miniature sun being fired from the barrel, which would suggest hydrogen.

Hmm.. maybe the planet has huge hydrogen deposits trapped underground (seeping up through vents in the crust) which has forced the population to depend upon harvesting it and using it for technological applications. Their plasma guns don't have to be shiny and new, they could be old pieces considered too dangerous for other guardsmen, yet lovingly maintained to the point that they work just as well. A kind of jury rig salvage culture (you could give them goggles or crappy protective suits to reflect their familiarity with dangerous heat based tech.)

It'd probably be pretty dangerous though.. one guy lights up a cigar and.. boom.. there goes a continent.

 

[The_Giant_Mantis]

Just a thought, but if this is hydrogen plasma your talking about (and I'm pretty sure it'd have to be) it only exists at some ridiculous temperature, about 7,000 degrees C or higher. So any rivers of it are going to be quite hot.

It's too hot.. It wouldn't even flow in rivers.. Hydrogen is a gas at room temperature, and as you say, it's plasma state is ridiculously hot.

I just can't see 'rivers' existing.. In fact, I can't see plasma occuring naturally at all. I'd go with the underground hydrogen deposits idea, and just have the populace as a bunch of inventive, jury rigging tech geeks who are good at harnessing the stuff for technical purposes.

Would explain the danger too.. one of the pockets ruptures and releases into the atmosphere, and it could suffocate anyone in a wide radius. Something similar happened in South America sometime back..

 

[The_Giant_Mantis]

Thank you for the compliment lightning claws, as for everyone else, i dont think my idea got across very well. What flows on the planets surface is a liquid that can be easily heated into plasma, compared to other substances. It is relatively hot though, at about 300 degrees F. I hope this clears things up. If you dont like it....you can fly to the edge of the universe and see if there is not even ONE planet like this.

Okay, that's cool.. but there are a couple of problems with that hypothesis too.

If it's easy to heat to plasma, surely that means the plasma temperature is lower, and therefore, that it's less effective as a weapon.

So it's liquid at 300 degrees F, yet has a very low temperature for breaking down into plasma. Not impossible, I guess, but downright wierd.

It's not a bad idea, but I think it should be gas rather than liquid. I still like the idea of jury rigged plasma weapons. Remember a plasma weapon is more than just the ammunition, the cooling fins and construction are where most of the expense and technical skill comes in.. if those go wrong, the weapon will explode no matter how good the 'fuel' is.

 

[The_Giant_Mantis]

how many years of science have you had? Cuz to me it looks like your pullin all the stops on this. Im goin with my story on 1 semester of beggining science, so back off this. But yes, i do apreciate your comments and "constructive" criticism.

I'm not pulling out all the stops, most of the stuff I got from taking a few minutes to check up on 'plasmas' on the web, and from the very brief descriptions GW have given us on how plasma weapons in 40k work.. I told you I liked your idea, but I think some things don't make sense. I'll stick to that.. Doesn't mean you have to listen to me, but if you didn't want me to say what I think, why post?

Nothing wrong with your idea.. I like it, overall.. I like the idea of a bunch of guys from a harsh planet making plasma tech out of bits lying around. Damn cool idea.. I'm not trying to rubbish it, I've just done a few minutes of research and from that I've come up with some alternate ideas. If you don't want to accept them, just don't, you don't have to ask me how many years of school science I've done.. School science never taught me anything about plasmas anyway.