Zat'nik'tel



The Zat'nik'tel is a handheld weapon used by the Goa'uld. It is in the shape of a serpent and was first encountered by SG-1 on Apophis's ship. It was nicknamed a "zat gun" by Colonel O'Neill. It uses a weaker form of energy compared to the staff weapon.



Compared to the staff weapon, the "Zat" primarily stuns the victim while the staff burns a hole in him or her. One shot of it usually renders a victim unconscious, resulting in great pain. This is why the Goa'uld prefer this weapon as they like their victims to die slowly. Two shots will kill most subjects. Three shots will disintegrate their body, leaving no visible trace of their death (Three shots from a Zat also desintegrate objects e.g. crates with weapons from the future in "1969").

SG-1 has been carrying "Zats" as a secondary side-arm since Apophis attempted to invade Earth. The "Zat", or the staff for that matter, can not penetrate the Kull warriors hull, since it takes the energy and thereby makes the Kull stronger.

"Zats" have been in production for at least five thousand years. The technology itself may be similar to an Ori wrist weapon.