Changes: Proximity blast

Revision as of 16:39, 8 December 2014

File:Enterprise firing phaser proximity blast.jpg

The Enterprise firing phaser proximity blast

Proximity blast detonation — The detonation of a proximity blast

A proximity blast was a special phaser setting that could be employed on Constitution-class starships. The proximity blast function operated by firing phasers in a concentrated bolt of energy, rather than a continuous beam. The phaser blast would then detonate at a predetermined point in space, affecting any ship or object within the blast radius.

The proximity blast setting was used in 2266 by the USS Enterprise while engaging in combat with a Romulan Bird-of-Prey. As the Romulan ship was equipped with an advanced cloaking device, the proximity blast function proved useful against it, as a more precise targeting of the vessel was impossible. (TOS: "Balance of Terror")

The Enterprise used the proximity blast setting again a year later, when engaged in combat with a Klingon D7-class battle cruiser. The Enterprise was successfully able to destroy the Klingon vessel using blasts set to one hundred percent dispersal pattern. (TOS: "Errand of Mercy")

The proximity blast setting was described in the writer's guide, The Star Trek Guide (third revision, page 9). [1] When phaser fire is set for proximity explosion it acts somewhat like a "depth charge". The original special effect was also used to represent a photon torpedo launch on many occasions.
When the "Balance of Terror" was digitally remastered by CBS Digital in 2006, a unique special effect was developed.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:Enterprise_firing_phaser_proximity_blast.jpg|thumb|The ''Enterprise'' firing phaser proximity blast]]
 [[File:Proximity blast detonation.jpg|thumb|The detonation of a proximity blast]]
-A '''proximity blast''' was a special [[phaser]] setting that could be employed on {{Class|Constitution}} [[starship]]s. The proximity blast function operated by firing phasers in a concentrated bolt of [[energy]], rather than a continuous beam. The phaser blast would then detonate at a predetermined point in space, affecting any ship or object within the blast radius.
+A '''proximity blast''' was a special [[phaser]] setting that could be employed on {{Class|Constitution}} [[starship]]s. The proximity blast function operated by firing phasers in a concentrated bolt of [[energy]], rather than a continuous beam. The phaser blast would then detonate at a predetermined point in space, affecting any ship or object within the blast {{dis|radius|geometry}}.
-The proximity blast setting was used in [[2266]] by the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} while engaging in combat with a [[Romulan Bird-of-Prey (23rd century)|Romulan Bird-of-Prey]]. As the [[Romulan]] ship was equipped with an advanced [[cloaking device]], the proximity blast function proved useful against it, as a more precise targeting of the vessel was impossible. ({{TOS|Balance of Terror}})
+The proximity blast setting was used in [[2266]] by the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} while engaging in combat with a {{dis|Romulan Bird-of-Prey|23rd century}}. As the [[Romulan]] ship was equipped with an advanced [[cloaking device]], the proximity blast function proved useful against it, as a more precise targeting of the vessel was impossible. ({{TOS|Balance of Terror}})
 The ''Enterprise'' used the proximity blast setting again [[2267|a year later]], when engaged in combat with a [[Klingon]] [[D7-class]] [[battle cruiser]]. The ''Enterprise'' was successfully able to destroy the Klingon vessel using blasts set to one hundred percent dispersal pattern. ({{TOS|Errand of Mercy}})

Changes: Proximity blast

Revision as of 16:39, 8 December 2014

See also