The Goa'uld ribbon device, or hand device, uses a modified version of the power source for a staff weapon and channels energy through amplification crystals, using thought control amplified with emotion. The thought control relies on the presence of naquadah in the blood, thus the Tok'ra as well as the Goa'uld have the ability to use the technology. The ribbon device is integrated into the Goa'uld wrist device, which incorporates the remote control for various Goa'uld technologies such as the personal force field shield or ring transporter, and it consists of a reddish crystal that fits over the palm of the hand, held in place by units that fit over the fingertips. Worn on the left hand, the ribbon device can subdue, stun, paralyze, torture, cause great pain or unconsciousness, throw a victim across a distance, or kill. Because it is controlled with the mind, it is possible that it may also be able to transfer thoughts.

The zat'nik'tel, nicknamed the "zat gun" by O'Neill, is a Goa'uld hand weapon. It delivers an electrical charge, a different and less powerful form of energy from a staff weapon, which can still be quite deadly. One shot disables with great pain, two shots within approximately 22 seconds will kill most subjects, and three shots will disintegrate a subject, causing it to vanish completely. The zat'nik'tel has been effective against most subjects, both animate and inanimate, with a few exceptions that include Aris Boch's race, who have a natural immunity to its effects, and the Kull Warriors, whose armor is impervious to most weapons. The zat'nik'tel does not appear to have a permanent or cumulative effect, and individuals are usually able to recover from a single shot even if they have been shot multiple times in the past. Like the staff weapon, the zat'nik'tel does not require the presence of naquadah in the blood of the user.

The Goa'uld staff weapon is the preferred weapon of Jaffa warriors. It uses a liquid naquadah power source and fires an energy blast, the power of which is variable depending on factors such as the time allowed for recycling between shots. It is a weapon of great power and endurance, but less accurate than Earth weapons. Traditional protective gear and materials such as Kevlar have been ineffective against the staff weapon, however the SGC has developed a new ceramic polymer insert that fits inside the standard-issue SG vest and has been successful in stopping the energy plasma from a staff weapon blast. It's a crystal-based technology, as are other Goa'uld weapons including the ribbon device, and the naquadah bomb which had been activated in Sekhmet's ark.