Energy dampening weapon

The energy dampening weapon was an advanced energy weapon used by Breen forces in the mid-2370s during the Dominion War.

Rumors of the Breen's development of such a weapon go as far back as the late 2330s. (Star Trek - The Lost Era: "Well of Souls")

The weapon was first encountered by Federation forces when the Breen entered the Dominion War as allies of the Dominion in 2375, at the Second Battle of Chin'toka (DS9). Since the Federation Alliance had never encountered the weapon before, it was especially effective against them. The weapon works by draining the energy of targeted ships, disabling their engines, weapons, and shields, thus making them easy targets for conventional weapons. Amongst the vessels lost to the weapon was the USS Defiant. (DS9 episode: "The Changing Face of Evil")

The Klingon ship IKC Ki'tang was not affected, as its tritium intermix chamber had been modified. Several weeks later, Kira Nerys and the Cardassian Liberation Front hijacked a Jem'Hadar attack ship for Starfleet to analyze its energy dissipators. (DS9 episodes: "When It Rains..." & "Tacking Into the Wind")

The Alliance discovered a countermeasure just prior to the Battle of Cardassia. (DS9 episode: "The Dogs of War")

Resources

• Memory Beta
• Memory Alpha