Hardlight Sledge

The Hardlight Sledge is an end-game two-handed item that functions as a heavy hardlight projection system. It generates a dense, bludgeoning field used for close-quarters striking and can alternatively project a forward-facing barrier to deflect incoming attacks. In form and effect the projection produces a Baton-like striking field for melee, while its secondary mode creates a frontal hardlight shield that intercepts most projectiles.

Its primary attack is a slow, high-damage Blunt Melee hit and benefits from the Blunt Melee skill's battle charge mechanic to enable a powerful sprinting charge attack. The secondary action consumes the weapon's Laser Emitter charge to produce the projection shield; as long as Laser Emitter charge remains, the barrier will deflect most incoming ranged attacks.

The Hardlight Sledge uses a unique damage type that is treated as both Plasma and Laser Emitter. Because of this dual identity it behaves differently from true Plasma damage: it does not receive the usual 2.5× multiplier versus body shields that true Plasma enjoys. Instead, it inherits the Laser Emitter damage type's 0.65× multiplier against body shields. The Hardlight Sledge's damage cannot ignite targets. Although the strikes are not technically physical Blunt damage, the weapon still grants experience progress toward the Blunt Melee skill. Effects and modifiers tied to physical Blunt resistance or the Crusher effect do not apply to the Hardlight Sledge, nor does it receive a damage increase from Blunt Melee skill bonuses that depend on physical damage scaling.

Practical notes and tactical uses:

• Use the primary slow swing when you need a heavy single strike; use battle charge timing to convert sprint into a quick, powerful attack.
• Switch to the barrier projection when expecting concentrated incoming fire or to block projectiles while closing distance.
• Monitor Laser Emitter charge carefully: the defensive barrier is limited by that resource and will not function without it.
• Expect reduced effectiveness against shielded targets relative to true Plasma weapons due to the Laser Emitter multiplier against body shields.
• Do not rely on incendiary effects or on interactions that require true Plasma ignition; the Sledge cannot set targets ablaze.
• The weapon still advances Blunt Melee proficiency, so use it to train that skill even though its damage classification is non-physical.