QUOTE (Dr. Funkenstein @ Nov 22 2009, 03:30 PM)

Why a no-dachi when you can go with a claymore? You seem worried about staying true to your character's flavor, with heavy emphasis that he's more Europeanish than Asianish. If I'm not mistaking, the claymore has nearly the same stats and certainly fits in better with the feel of that region of the continent.
But if you have some reason you're using a no-dachi instead, there's nothing at all stopping you from preparing it as a vessel and/or turning it into a focus. Magic is, first and foremost, a personal thing in Shadowrun. Your tradition only represents your general outlook.
I agree. Claymores are simply better, but I may be a little biased, as I'm of Scottish/Irish descent. Even though I have studied the Asian martial arts extensively.
But seriously, they are cheaper, they have a lower availability, and the only thing the 'dachi has to show for it is an extra -1 AP. [/shrug]