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Your connections to the transistor look dodgy. That thing you're using has a transistor socket. If you're going to use that for prototyping, you'd save yourself a lot of hassle if you used the transistor socket.

Are you using that because you've never soldered before? Soldering with lead solder is easy enough, but lead free is tricky enough that I wouldn't recommend it. But you have other options. You can get a wire wrap tool for making reliable connections without solder. A cheap one's around $20. You probably need a perf board to hold components or a small drill press to make your own board. Or easier still, a small solderless breadboard is only around $1-3 depending on size. I think this size board would fit your circuit. https://www.amazon.com/Gikfun-Solderless-Prototype-Breadboard-Arduino/dp/B0146MGBWI/

What is the output of that supposed to do? It won't make any visible spark, will it? Where did the circuit come from?

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

I'll be vaporizing stuff so I guess I won't worry about the emf. So the key is to have the energy dissipate in the discharge? Be it by vaporizing or in the case of a longer sturdier write, get red hot for a minute, right? Back emf would come from a proper coil, or would any sustained discharge create it?

And yeah, electrolytics we're not my first choice... But bang for the buck I couldn't beat it by a long shot.

I have seen thyristors like this one in eBay for reasonable prices. And this dude uses that very same one for this exact kind of capacitor discharge

I'm inclined to use a mechanical solution for the simple efficiency of it... but the "destruction on contact" factor I imagine that I'd have to be replacing that copper tube or mechanical switch rather regularly. Only reason I'm entertaining the silicon.

An LED probably wont work, but a neon lamp like this would.

What about these then? https://www.amazon.com/Polypropylene-Capacitor-Voltage-Frequency-%C2%B15-2000V/dp/B099KPK12K/ref=sr_1_3?crid=28GKNWIDZGY12&keywords=high-voltage+polypropylene+capacitor&qid=1660761195&sprefix=high-voltage+polypropylene+capacitors%2Caps...

The most I work on is 20kv so that won’t work. I would plan on always testing them. Would you trust these?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y2RCCLW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_588M1GWJCVS8V5C6P8KY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Secondary is 32awg, about 1”x4”. Primary works anywhere from 4-8 turns. The power source is one of those high voltage generator things, like these. No need for a capacitor bank since these modules have a capacitor built inside. I’m powering it with 3v in this video, from a bench power supply. Draws about 3 amps.