Do Turbolasers have a variable yield?

[theta_pinch]

Do turbolasers have a variable yield?

[Mr. Oragahn]

Absolutely.
The best proof is TLs used to attack large ships and engage small crafts. Such as the pieces that dot the surface of the Death Star, or the batteries on the Trade Federation's Droid Control Ship. The destruction caused by hits is nowhere sufficient enough to threaten capital ships.
Potentially, let's add the guns on either side of the hangar door on the Invisible Hand, heavy enough to engage large ships, but also used to shoot at starfighters. The only problem with this case is that we have no examples of destruction caused by those guns. But they are of the same size and style than the guns on the Trade Federation ship so it follows that they could be capable of the same flexibility.
However, in all cases, accuracy is subpar.
Perhaps also the numerous batteries underneath the front wings of the Munificient and on the Malevolence bow's topside.

[theta_pinch]

Absolutely.
The best proof is TLs used to attack large ships and engage small crafts. Such as the pieces that dot the surface of the Death Star, or the batteries on the Trade Federation's Droid Control Ship. The destruction caused by hits is nowhere sufficient enough to threaten capital ships.
Potentially, let's add the guns on either side of the hangar door on the Invisible Hand, heavy enough to engage large ships, but also used to shoot at starfighters. The only problem with this case is that we have no examples of destruction caused by those guns. But they are of the same size and style than the guns on the Trade Federation ship so it follows that they could be capable of the same flexibility.
However, in all cases, accuracy is subpar.
Perhaps also the numerous batteries underneath the front wings of the Munificient and on the Malevolence bow's topside.

How do you know that those aren't just different turbolasers in use, there are multiple types: heavy turbolasers, medium turbolasers, and light turbolasers.

[Mr. Oragahn]

Absolutely.
The best proof is TLs used to attack large ships and engage small crafts. Such as the pieces that dot the surface of the Death Star, or the batteries on the Trade Federation's Droid Control Ship. The destruction caused by hits is nowhere sufficient enough to threaten capital ships.
Potentially, let's add the guns on either side of the hangar door on the Invisible Hand, heavy enough to engage large ships, but also used to shoot at starfighters. The only problem with this case is that we have no examples of destruction caused by those guns. But they are of the same size and style than the guns on the Trade Federation ship so it follows that they could be capable of the same flexibility.
However, in all cases, accuracy is subpar.
Perhaps also the numerous batteries underneath the front wings of the Munificient and on the Malevolence bow's topside.

How do you know that those aren't just different turbolasers in use, there are multiple types: heavy turbolasers, medium turbolasers, and light turbolasers.

Their size, easily. Observe the huge size of the quad cannons present on the Trade Federation's ship. Some EU source would say it's laser cannons merely because they were used against fighters but the point is that it's just an EU brainbug.
These cannons are massive, they even dwarf the Naboo yatch.



We also know that the Death Star's defenses were not designed to engage snubfighters, so obviously they were meant for larger crafts. Yet they were used against crafts such as X-wings and when those were hit, they didn't get pulverized into clouds of gas. The conclusion is obvious. Such firepower is clearly not going to be enough against an enemy capital ship's shields.

The dialing is quite impressive in fact, since the kind of firepower expected to take down a ship's shields would be worth several kilotons of firepower massed on a single point. Yet we observe something along the lines several dozens of megajoules.

[359]

Furthermore in TCW: "Destroy Malevolence" Obi-Wan orders several Jedi Cruisers to target the Malevolence's bridge with maximum firepower. This no only supports a variable yield per shot from the heavy cannons, but it also implies that they don't normally use quite their maximum power in general combat.

[Mith]

Gonna have to add in a yes. According to the Essential Guides, they use particle weapons for most of their heavy weapons. By lowering the output, you could more quickly charge and fire the heavier turrets due to less strain on the system. Ie, quicker ROF. Certainly not the most optimal weapon against a fighter or bomber, but certainly better than firing high-powered blasts that aren't likely to hit to begin with.

[Mike DiCenso]

Most definitely in the G-canon and EU are there references to such things where blasters and turbolasers are concerned:

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
INTERIOR: IMPERIAL SNOW WALKER - COCKPIT

Inside his walker, General Veers prepares to fire on the
Rebel power generators.

VEERS: Distance to power generators?

PILOT: One-seven, decimal two-eight.

Veers reaches for the electrorangefinder and lines up the
main generator.

VEERS: Target. Maximum fire power.


"Darksaber", p. 311
"'Do we have plans for an attack, Admiral?' the weapons chief said from his station, looking disappointed as he assessed his array of weaponry.
'Yes,' Daala said. 'We strike from orbit. All turbolaser batteries, full strength. Fire at will, targeting any structures in the jungle.'"


So the answer is "yes' to that question.
-Mike

[Lucky]

Do turbolasers have a variable yield?

At-At have at least 2 settings on their weapons. The Empire Strikes Back

Republic Attack Cruisers have at least two settings on their turbolasers. Destroy the Malevolence Obi Won orders full power.
(It is common for Republic Stardestroyers to use all guns interchangeably. )

Many models of blaster have stun and kill settings. Some models might have more then one kill setting, but I don't know of any thing that explicitly states that on screen.
(You'd think stun would be the most commonly used setting.)