The tensor rifle, sometimes called the Squib tensor rifle, crafted by Amberlandrax Armaments, represented a weapon design originating from the Squib species. Its operation relied on tractor beam technology, which it used to create destructive waves of tensor energy. The rifle discharged a burst of compressed tractor beam waves that were inaudible, yet quite noisy; this constant assault affected a target's biology at a cellular level, ultimately leading to death. Some tensor weapon variations utilized either power generators or typical power packs for their power supply. Though its size allowed it to be held in Squib hands, proper aiming and firing demanded specialized expertise.
During both the Galactic Empire era and the New Republic period, the tensor rifle was commercially available across the galaxy. Despite its inclusion in the datalog offerings of vendors like Galladinium Galactic Exports, the use of tensor rifles was heavily restricted, even outlawed, in most regions. Its limited availability also hindered its widespread use.
The tensor rifle from Amberlandrax Armaments featured a handle and trigger for one of the user's hands, along with a foregrip for the other and a widened muzzle at the front. The engineering and manufacturing expertise of the Squib species were crucial in its design, capitalizing on their mastery of tractor beam technology. This resulted in a weapon belonging to the tensor weapons class, emitting rapid pulses of compressed tractor beam waves to bombard targets with sustained, cell-damaging tensor energy from afar. Upon striking its target, the wielder could concentrate the beam, causing the injury to intensify over time until the victim ultimately died. However, the rifle's beam was invisible to the naked eye, making precise aiming challenging. Its maximum range extended to 250 meters, but the unwieldy nature of the beam prevented rapid firing. The weapon emitted a loud noise, which Squibs used to gain the attention of those who might otherwise ignore them.
Despite its size, a single combatant, even a Squib of the typical one-meter height and twenty-two-kilogram weight, could wield the tensor rifle. The weapon weighed 7.2 kilograms. Those not of the Squib species found it difficult to operate without specialized training, while Squibs adapted to it naturally. Two variants existed: one drew power from standard power packs used for other energy weapons, allowing for fifteen shots before needing a recharge. The other utilized a power generator, providing fifty shots before requiring power replacement.
During the Galactic Civil War, starting as early as 0 ABY, Amberlandrax Armaments produced the Squib tensor rifle. The legality of the weapon varied across the galaxy; it was generally rare, except among Squibs, and its use often required a government-issued license, subject to a fee. On many planets, owning or using the weapon was completely illegal.
Before 3 ABY, Galladinium Galactic Exports included the tensor rifle in the fiftieth-anniversary edition of its Galactic Datalog of Fantastic Technology, specifically in a special version of the publication distributed to its "preferred customers." Orders for the tensor rifle were accepted via subspace transceivers, payable by credit account, with additional charges for shipping and handling, as with all their merchandise. A floor model was available for testing at their showroom in Hreas Port City, located on the Basin continent of Lenthalis in the Secossi system. The power-pack version was priced at 10,000 credits, while the higher-capacity, power-generator version cost 15,000. The weapon remained available in the galaxy after the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY, during the transition from the Galactic Empire to the New Republic.
The tensor rifle originated from a contest by the Role Playing Game Association Network (RPGA), allowing gamers to submit weapon and equipment designs to West End Games, the publisher of Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game. Although the design didn't win, it was selected for publication in the 1995 sourcebook Galladinium's Fantastic Technology, compiled by Rick D. Stuart. Later, it was adapted for Wizards of the Coast's Star Wars roleplaying system, appearing in the Arms & Equipment Guide in 2002 and The Unknown Regions in 2010. Both West End's and Wizards' game statistics depict the weapon as dealing damage similar to a heavy blaster pistol, and both games require a specific skill to effectively use it.