system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[starwars] what's up with chewbakas laser cross bow?

Is there laser arrows or something?
gpt
At base, a bowcaster is literally a crossbow. As in, functionally identical. It uses a string and high tension rods to propel a quarrel downrange.

Specifically though, a bowcaster has a few key differences.
Instead of a "string" it uses a very high tension wire.
Instead of just relying on the potential energy of a flexed rod, it uses magnetically polarized orbs to boost the force applied to the quarrel.
Instead of a simple sharpened metal bolt, it fires an short metal rod that is charged with plasma - as it exits the bowcaster, the physical projectile is sheathed with high energy plasma that greatly increases destructive force. These projectiles are also generally charged with impact detonated explosives.

It's the traditional weapon of the Wookie's. Typical bowcasters are manually drawn and require incredible strength to do so. Chewbacca's was equipped with an autococker.

They're much more powerful and destructive than blasters, trading limited ammo and cumbersomeness.