What's the deal with monofilament swords?, What's the point? Options

[Marwynn]

Lightsabers.

That's all. End of thread and win and so forth. Or just vibroblades of some kind. In any case, if they're making Cyber-spurs and whatnot why wouldn't there be a market for even better melee weapons? I think it's a neglected aspect of SR, those gilettes and razorboys have been using mostly the same stuff for decades now.

[Phatom]

pbangarth me and Keget both play 3ed not 4th and from the page 188 main book of 3rd

The character uses Willpower to make a melee attack against the spirit (Combat
Pool dice may not be used). The character can wield a weapon,
although mundane weapons do not affect the base damage (the
weapon is only a symbol of the fighter’s will, it has no actual
effect on the spirit in this type of combat). However, the
weapon’s Reach bonus does apply.

[hobgoblin]

Monk delivers the goods. Also, that's why folding loses its benefits if done too much. Eventually the folded steel becomes too uniform and ceases to operate as folded steel should.

As to why anyone would use blades in SR4, well, there are a few reasons beyond the obvious aesthetic ones. First and foremost being what we discussed the other week, namely poisoning your blades. Though, you're still better off in that regard by using a throwing weapon as an adept. But for non adepts, it's still a way to even things out a little by packing double (or more, lol ringu) damage into an attack which takes up 2 simple actions.

hmm, ringu. if it had paralysis i would have said someone was reading altered carbon (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

btw, i could have sworn i ones read about someone in the biz of making modern swords took some of their european style products and tested them using the traditional japanese way. Iirc, they tested no worse then the equivalent japanese weapon...

sure wish i could relocate the page tho...

[Jericho Alar]

re: pbangarth:

Kage is referencing sr3 when he says that. in earlier editions it *did* apply; I'm not sure why it has changed now.

[Ol' Scratch]

They gimped Astral Combat so hard in 4th Edition. I still can't figure out why dual-natured beings have to use Willpower + Astral Combat to battle an astral entity, especially if they have Killing Hands or a Weapon Focus at hand. The Willpower + Astral Combat should be an optional means of attacking them (which they kind of are now under the Attack of Will rule in Street Magic that's totally shit; if you have the stats for that, you may as well attack normally), or the default for a projecting character.

It's even more boggling because the Weapon Focus does use its physical stats for purposes of the damage it does, but otherwise doesn't even take part in the attack. No reach, no skill... nothing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/question.gif)

[Kagetenshi]

Apparently thinking the edition disclaimer really loud still doesn't get it into the post. My error.

~J

[MusicMan]

but then there is always the scenario...what if you run out of ammo and the enemy is to strong for a cougar fine blade to cut it (sorry couldn´t help pulling that one :3)

Use your escape plan; if you don't have one that works then you done gone and F'ed up and you deserve what you get.

[Jericho Alar]

Apparently thinking the edition disclaimer really loud still doesn't get it into the post. My error.

~J

I'm starting to think you should just add it to your .sig (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Kagetenshi]

I've considered that, but I'm a big fan of keeping my .sig short; it was all I could do to get myself to add the second line for the SR3R project, and I'm not sure I can let either of the current lines go.

It's still under consideration, though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

~J

[Sixgun_Sage]

hmm, ringu. if it had paralysis i would have said someone was reading altered carbon (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

btw, i could have sworn i ones read about someone in the biz of making modern swords took some of their european style products and tested them using the traditional japanese way. Iirc, they tested no worse then the equivalent japanese weapon...

sure wish i could relocate the page tho...

Takeshi Kovacs refferance for the win!