Weapon Focus Opinions, Are vibro-blades doable? Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Switch to: Outline Switch to: Standard Linear+

[Aerospider]

What are people's thoughts on a vibro-blade weapon focus?

My gut reaction is no, but if one can attune a vehicle or prepare it as a vessel maybe moving parts aren't an issue ....

[phlapjack77]

If it's part of a cool concept for a fairly well-rounded character that doesn't have OMG dicepools with the sword, I'd say allow it. Doesn't seem too unbalancing, vibro-blade isn't that much better than other melee weapons.

If it's for a one-trick-pony swordmaster who can cut things with 30 dice and not do much else, I'd disallow it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Medicineman]

If it's part of a cool concept for a fairly well-rounded character that doesn't have OMG dicepools with the sword, I'd say allow it. Doesn't seem too unbalancing, vibro-blade isn't that much better than other melee weapons.

If it's for a one-trick-pony swordmaster who can cut things with 30 dice and not do much else, I'd disallow it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

but thats not a base for an equilized decision
I like Your Face/Your Char concept so I allow it, but Your Face /Char concept I don't like so I dissallow it ?
Do I smell GM's Fiat here ?
Not very Fair ImO

with a more balanced Dance
medicineman

[phlapjack77]

but thats not a base for an equilized decision
I like Your Face/Your Char concept so I allow it, but Your Face /Char concept I don't like so I dissallow it ?
Do I smell GM's Fiat here ?
Not very Fair ImO

with a more balanced Dance
medicineman

You do in fact "smell" GM fiat, because that's what I'm suggesting, as it doesn't seem to have a clear actual rule either way.

I'm advocating a play style that emphasizes concepts and story over power gaming. You might not. We can have different opinions, it's ok (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

If your group is more shifted towards power gamers, by all means ignore me.

[Dakka Dakka]

What are people's thoughts on a vibro-blade weapon focus?

My gut reaction is no, but if one can attune a vehicle or prepare it as a vessel maybe moving parts aren't an issue ....

While there is a weird reduction of effectiveness on the astral plane in the FAQ there is no actual rule about this. You could even use a monofilament whip.

[Midas]

Yeah, the electronic vibro- part of the weapon wouldn't work very well on the astral, so to avoid headaches of that nature I would just say no.

[Dakka Dakka]

Yeah, the electronic vibro- part of the weapon wouldn't work very well on the astral, so to avoid headaches of that nature I would just say no.

Of course the motor for the vibration would not work, but the user knows knows that the weapon is more effective and thus can focus his will more effectively. The rules clearly state that a weapon focus does damage as the weapon. It does not say it is the damage of the weapon minus any electr(on)ic enhancements, that is an addition by the FAQ with no basis in the rules. What about non electric enhancements, like the AP bonus of a katana or monofilament sword?

Crafting weapon foci from high tech weapons will take longer though and a talismonger may charge more for them, logically. Again this is not in the rules AFAIK.

[Stahlseele]

Does the Focus not do Damage on the Astral based on it's Force?
And on the Mundane you get bonus Dice for the Skill when using the weapon?

[SpellBinder]

Vibro weapons do have modifiers to their stats when their batteries run out. I'd just use those "unpowered" stats for astral space.

And yes, as Dakka Dakka mentioned, this would qualify as a high tech weapon at least. But then, even something like a monofilament sword or a nontraditionally made katana (a.k.a., stainless steel) will fall into this category as well.

Overall I'm not aware of anything against the rules directly, but considering the mechanized nature of a vibro weapon I'd think as a weapon focus they'd be rarer and pricier than other melee weapons.

[Stahlseele]

Hell, you can have a Cyber-Spur Weapon-Focus too . .

[Dakka Dakka]

Does the Focus not do Damage on the Astral based on it's Force?

Nope, it does the same damage as the weapon it is based on.

And on the Mundane you get bonus Dice for the Skill when using the weapon?

Almost. You get bonus dice on the attack roll. Weapon foci are no better at defending than their mundane counterparts.

[Aerospider]

Thanks guys. I think I will allow it (irrespective of character design) and discount the vibro-bonus on the astral, that makes sense.

The character in question is a Jedi-wannabe and I thought a vibro-sword would work for the noise and extra slice-ability aspects.

[The Jopp]

I would allow all melee weapons but made a slight houserule when it comes to different weapons. Low tech weapons are cheaper, so are smaller weapons as they make less base damage.

Weapon Foci
A weapon foci can only be built by mainly being a weapon that delivers its damage from the user’s strength. Weapons using technological means to damage its target are far more complicated and more expensive due to the imbalance between technology and magic.

Gloves, daggers, swords and knuckledusters are good examples of possible Foci. The larger the weapon or technologically complicated the more expensive it becomes.

Weapon Foci CostWeapon Foci: 2000,00 X Modifier (Minimum 1)
STR+AP+Reach= Modifier.
Fixed Damage= Modifier
1/ 2 AP= Fixed Damage

Example: Katana Str+2 / Ap-1 / Reach 1 Modifier: 4 X 2000 + Weapon Cost
Example: Shock Gloves 5S / AP (+5) / Reach 0 Modifier: 10 X 2000 + Weapon Cost

[Dakka Dakka]

The character in question is a Jedi-wannabe and I thought a vibro-sword would work for the noise and extra slice-ability aspects.

Hmm you might be better served (closer to a light saber) with a custom manipulation spell. I'm assuming the character has some spellcasting ability as the other force effects need to be represented by spells anyways:
Astral/Force Blade:
Type: M/P • Range: Caster Only • Duration: S • DV: (F ÷ 2) + 0 / + 1

The spell creates a blade of Light at the end of the the caster's hand. It can be wielded as a bladed weapon. The blade does (hits)P base damage. It is resisted with half Impact armor and gets the Light elemental effect. The caster also has the option of creating a large blade (+1 drain) with reach 1 and hits+1 damage or a two-handed blade (+2 drain) with Reach 2 and hits+2 damage.
Astral blade is the mana spell version that affects only living creatures but can be cast on the astral plane.

Now the character can make a hilt as a sustaining focus and possibly fetish, to get rid of the sustaining penalty, and better fit the fluff of jedi. It also adds some balancing to it since it caps the force of the spell, and allows the character to be disarmed.

[_Pax._]

... and after being disarmed, to use Magic Fingers and do the whole "make the saber fly into my hand" Jedi trick. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[almost normal]

Hell, use a summoning focus as the blade's hilt.

[Dakka Dakka]

Hell, use a summoning focus as the blade's hilt.

Why a summoning focus? I'm not aware that jedi are supposed to do anything resembling SR conjuring.

oh and sorry for derailing the thread.

[almost normal]

Why a summoning focus? I'm not aware that jedi are supposed to do anything resembling SR conjuring.

oh and sorry for derailing the thread.

They're at a -2 for actions otherwise.

[_Pax._]

They're at a -2 for actions otherwise.

I think you meant SUSTAINING focus. And that was already mentioned, anyway.

[almost normal]

I think you meant SUSTAINING focus. And that was already mentioned, anyway.

No, he uses the summoning focus for the spirit of Yoda that sits next to him as he fights.

Yeah, there's really no salvaging that fuckup. Ah well. Burn an edge and move on.

[SpellBinder]

... and after being disarmed, to use Magic Fingers and do the whole "make the saber fly into my hand" Jedi trick. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Or Fling. Same drain, it's instant (no spending your next Free Action to drop the spell), and it'll be a single test to throw the focus back to you instead of potentially two (if the GM calls for an Agility test to grab it).

[Dr.Rockso]

Or Fling. Same drain, it's instant (no spending your next Free Action to drop the spell), and it'll be a single test to throw the focus back to you instead of potentially two (if the GM calls for an Agility test to grab it).

Yeah, I can see Fling going very badly for trying to bring a bladed weapon back to you. Magic Fingers would be much more controlled.

[SpellBinder]

Sorry, I was referring to the "Light Saber" sustaining focus I thought Pax was talking about.

[Dakka Dakka]

Sorry, I was referring to the "Light Saber" sustaining focus I thought Pax was talking about.

I think Dr. Rockso was under the impression that the spell was still active after the disarm. And frankly he may have a point there. While fetishes restrict the casting of the spell there is no mention of any interaction between them and sustaining a spell. So the spell would continue to work unless the caster breaks concentration.

[_Pax._]

Yeah, I meant the focus.

Fling, IMO, would require two tests - one to throw it, another to catch it.

But Magic Fingers is basically a "telekinesis" spell, so it should be no great shakes to just, you know, "hand it to yourself", you see? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)