Scatterblasters were typically small rifles or carbines, and were characterized by their unique firing mode; as opposed to a singular bolt of energy, scatterblasters emitted an arc of expanding lethal energy, or even a spray of multiple bolts. Due to this, scatterblasters were more or less the blaster equivalent to projectile shotguns. Scatterblasters had exceptional damage output at close range, making them popular for trench clearing and urban assault, but had relatively short ranges compared to other blaster weaponry, with output dropping dramatically at medium ranges.
A turreted scatterblaster
Some high-output blaster turrets were also called scatterblasters, ostensibly due to the intense saturation and "scattering" of the bolts they produced. The bounty hunter Sana Starros used one such voice-activated smart-targeting scatterblaster.
The Imperial Army issued SX-21 blaster rifles to its troopers on Mimban during their attempt to pacify and mine the planet. Chewbacca used an SX-21 after he escaped Imperial captivity, using the rifle as a temporary substitute for the bowcaster favored by Wookiees. Mercenary Lang owned a BARM-ST12 scattergun. The Alazmec of Winsit used CX-55 scatterblasters against Kylo Ren.
While blaster shotguns have existed in Star Wars Legends for many years, the scatterblaster was brought into wider canon in Chapter 13: The Jedi of The Mandalorian; very briefly, the character of Lang fires his BARM-ST12 scattergun at Ahsoka Tano while she is on a rooftop, revealing that his weapon fires 4-5 blaster bolts simultaneously.
- Star Wars: Smuggler's Guide
- Gadgets and Gear
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian Handbook