Phaser Weapons

Handheld Phasers
Utilized primarily in defensive situations, Handheld phasers have several applications, from use as a weapon to use as a cutting tool, explosive device, or energy source. Storing considerable energy, most phasers are distinguished by their size and firing capabilities, with all models able to output a focused energy discharge in the form of a beam or steady stream.

Type-I
Colloquially know as the "Cricket", the type-I phaser is the smallest, most basic weapon carried by Starfleet and other Federation personnel. Easily concealable, the type-I was able to be programmed to fire automatically at set intervals. However, due to the lack of its operating capabilities, longevity, and diversity when compared to its larger brethren, the type-I phasers were typically only carried when it would be inappropriate to carry a larger weapon, such as on diplomatic missions. Because of this, the type-I was synonymous with secret missions and seldom seen in active use.

Type-II
The type-II is the standard weapon used aboard all Starfleet vessels and bases, as it offered a very favourable compromise between size and power. Originally designed to encompass the type-I, the type-II held a pistol-like grip. By the 2360s, the type-II had evolved past that configuration, becoming a sleek, silver-coloured device with a handle flowing into the form of a muzzle cowling and emitter. The type-II phaser was a required piece of equipment for most Starfleet away teams, and was the basic sidearm of Starfleet security teams

With two small buttons for beam width and intensity control and a large one to fire the device, the type-II features a large, illuminated power level readout. The phaser retained the functionality of the previous designs, but increased the power and versatility. Like their predecessors, these units could be adjusted for use as cutting tools or power sources. They could also be set to overload, becoming a powerful explosive device.

In addition to more variable power settings than the Type-I, Type-II Phasers are able to be set for a "narrow" (affecting a single target) or "wide" beam (affecting two or more targets over a certain area). The frequency of the beam could also be adjusted to make it more effective against certain types of shields and/or force fields.

Type III
The largest standard phaser issued to Starfleet personnel, the Type-III (or simply referred to as the phaser rifle) is a two handed weapon capable of greater accuracy and longevity than its type-II counterpart. Even though the type-III has a much greater energy reserve, this only translated to an increase of longer periods of fire rather than any rise in output levels over one-handed phasers. Phaser rifles were not standard landing party equipment aboard Starfleet vessels. Typically, rifles were equipped only when firepower heavier than that of the type-II phaser was required.

Type III Eva Variant
During the 2370s, Starfleet produced an additional variant of the type-III specifically designed for EVA missions. This rifle has unique features including, two pistol-like grips for ease of handling, no trigger guard to allow for use by personnel wearing EVA Suits, and magnetic areas allowing the rifle to be attached to a ship's hull.