Firing streams of high-energy neutral particles, the neutron cannon boasts a 50% increase in armour penetration over the laser cannon. Unfortunately, this still renders them quite obsolete. Worse, they are not as accurate as lasers, and cannot be used for point defence. However, these factors have combined to render the neutron gun almost completely unregulated, and it is often found on armed merchant cruisers…and pirate ships.

Neutron cannons’ enhanced armor penetration makes them attractive for vessels that prioritize firepower over precision. While their poor accuracy limits their use in rapid-response or defensive scenarios, their heavy hitting power allows them to cripple or destroy enemy hulls with sustained fire.

Their prevalence on armed merchant cruisers and pirate ships reflects their role as “rough and ready” weapons — simple, brutal, and unburdened by the restrictions of military-grade fire control systems or treaties. In less regulated sectors of space, a neutron cannon can be a terrifying deterrent or an effective tool for opportunistic raiders.