A psionic resonator was a type of weapon that functioned by amplifying telepathic energy and focusing it into kinetic form; as such, the destructive power of psionic resonators was greatly disproportionate to their size and the energy required to operate them. However, the difficulty of controlling such weapons was not insignificant and they could easily malfunction, causing damage to their wielder. According to the Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion, the weapon was much more powerful in early drafts of the episode; it was able to kill millions at a time.