The Arkanian heavy pistol represents a heavy blaster pistol design originating from the Arkanians, dating back to approximately 5956 BBY according to the galactic standard calendar. This predates the widespread adoption of heavy blaster pistols. Roughly two millennia later, during the Jedi Civil War and the associated Dark Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire, these pistols maintained a competitive edge over many newer models. However, by this time, the Arkanian heavy pistol was no longer compatible with contemporary weapon modifications. During this period, these weapons were available for purchase on planets such as Manaan and Taris.
Despite its age, the Arkanian heavy pistol offered superior power and accuracy compared to many later heavy blaster pistol designs. Like other heavy blaster pistols, it could be wielded in one hand by species of comparable size and stature to Humans. The weapon featured a gold-colored finish, discharged red blaster bolts, and shared a similar aesthetic with other heavy blaster pistols of the time during the Jedi Civil War and Dark Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. Its effective range was approximately twenty-three meters, consistent with other heavy blaster pistols of the era. By the time of the Jedi Civil War and Dark Wars, the Arkanian heavy pistol could not be upgraded with contemporary scopes, firing chambers, or power cells.
The Arkanian heavy blaster was originally conceived by the Arkanian species around 5956 BBY according to the galactic standard calendar. While heavy blaster pistols were not initially a common weapon choice, they gained considerable popularity by the time of the Jedi Civil War in 3956 BBY. Despite its age, the Arkanian design remained a top-tier weapon during the conflict between the Republic and the Sith Empire.
Shortly before Darth Malak, the Sith Lord at the head of the Sith Empire, initiated the bombardment of the planet Taris, Igear, a Human Outcast from the Undercity descended from exiles, offered one for sale at 750 credits within the Outcast village. Later that same year, a Rodian named Tyvark Luowan listed an Arkanian heavy pistol for 1,000 credits in his general store located in Ahto City on Manaan. In 3951 BBY, during the Dark Wars between the Republic and the remaining Sith forces, the pistol sometimes fetched prices around 1,300 credits.
The Arkanian heavy pistol debuted in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, a 2003 video game developed by BioWare. Within the game, Igear sold the weapon in the Taris Undercity, and Tyvark Luowan offered it in his Ahto City general store on Manaan. It later reappeared in Obsidian Entertainment's 2004 sequel, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. In The Sith Lords, the weapon could be found in random locations, meaning that it was not guaranteed to be found during every playthrough.
Between the two games, the core attributes of the Arkanian heavy pistol remained consistent; both games portrayed it as slightly more powerful and accurate than a standard heavy blaster pistol. Additionally, neither game allowed for any upgrades to the weapon. While both games mention the weapon's creation occurring 2,000 years before the game's events, and the games are set five years apart, this article uses 5956 BBY as an estimated creation date.