 May 5, 2010 - 6:53am | Just a thought: Rules for hiting with a melee weapon are 1/2 DEX or 1/2 STR modified by skill, weapon modifier, battle rage, encumbrance, wounds and defender defending so why should a sonic melee weapon attack be resolved on STR? Is it really that a sonic weapon will hit any harder because the PC has massive bicepts? Should a sonic weapon not be resolved with DEX? Or "Dude, just leave it alone, you'll complicate the game." I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 May 5, 2010 - 9:14am | I would say DEX only. This would be a reason for sonic swords to be popular. You don't have to be strong to wield one effectively. -iggy |
 May 5, 2010 - 9:21am | Good question. Iggy brings up a valid point as well, its going to depend on how in-depth you want your game to go. I bet the writers made it either-or just to satisfy everybody. The melee skill is so broad in AD that the either-or makes sence to me. However I do agrre with your justification to be DEX only. Time flies when your having rum. Im a government employee, I dont goof-off. I constructively abuse my time. |
 May 5, 2010 - 10:59am | Depending on your character's physique he may be quick and nimble, dodging incoming attacks and striking back with speed and accuracy. Another character might use brute force to strike his opponents upraised arms and force his blade downward. Depends on the style. If AD had followed the 1/2 ability + 10% per level mechanic we would see others abilities paired with a skill giving the player's a choice of which to use. |
 May 5, 2010 - 2:29pm | The blade is invisible and hurts a lot. You'd better have some degree of coordination to use it if you want to walk later on  |
 May 5, 2010 - 2:48pm | I always thought of a sonic sword as an invisable light saber, which wouldn't be far from the truth as they have similar function. It's is a DEX based weapon, it's not as heavy as a real sword or axe would be making it easier to swing around. A sonic sword is not as random or as clumsy as a blaster, an elegant weapon from a more civilized age. In every age, in every place, the deeds of men remain the same. |
 May 6, 2010 - 8:05pm | Im OK with being able to pick STR or DEX. If you watch fighters they capatilize on their talent, whether it is Strength or Dexterity. I think that if we keep it all Dex then the whole combat mechanic will emphasize Dex too much. I think that we are assuming the sonic blade is easy to control and cuts with little effort. Is that the case? At least I got to scare an alien rabbit thingy...... |
May 7, 2010 - 2:34am | With a +15 to hit modifier, I'd say it's definitely an easy weapon to "control". So even if you're unskilled, it's like being level:1.5 when using it... |
May 7, 2010 - 6:55am | I get your point Shadow. Your invisible sonic point... At least I got to scare an alien rabbit thingy...... |
 May 7, 2010 - 2:32pm | STR means control. DEX means maleability. If it's a melee weapon, you use either because either can help you to hit. If you don't hit with a stunning weapon, you don't get the stun benefit. Control involves more than just ensuring a hit, it also involves making sure it doesn't hit yourself or anyone else. So if you lack strength to control even the hilt and where you're holding it, then you're spending effort making sure its not hitting you or someone you know. Likely no adult is so weak that they can't control it at all, but that's not what it's about. It's about doing that WHILE you strike the point you want it to. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
May 8, 2010 - 7:33am | I don't think the sonic sword has a stun setting. Kind of defeats the reason why it's called a sword I suppose. In every age, in every place, the deeds of men remain the same. |
May 8, 2010 - 12:52pm | Oops. I guess I need to read up again. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
May 9, 2010 - 4:40pm | I don't think the sonic sword has a stun setting. Kind of defeats the reason why it's called a sword I suppose. ut oh, now w00t is gonna unleash the stun sword on us through the sfman. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
May 10, 2010 - 7:50am | I'm stunned every time an Issue comes out. |
May 10, 2010 - 3:37pm | So if the sonic sword had a stun setting, who would be more likely to wildly swing it around with out thinking of who is around them? In every age, in every place, the deeds of men remain the same. |
May 10, 2010 - 5:40pm | So if the sonic sword had a stun setting, who would be more likely to wildly swing it around with out thinking of who is around them?
Is this thing on? (Shake) Is thi...*thud* |
 May 10, 2010 - 7:56pm | Oh, I dunno - you only need to read the Darwin awards to see what some mentally challenged people will do with things like running chainsaws! |
May 10, 2010 - 8:46pm | Oh, I dunno - you only need to read the Darwin awards to see what some mentally challenged people will do with things like running chainsaws! I love the darwin award honorable mentions- usually for just maiming themselves without actually removing themselves from the gene pool I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
May 11, 2010 - 1:15am | Oooohh, a sonic sword! Hold my beer and watch this... |
May 11, 2010 - 4:36am | "Hey Bert, remember that sword swallower we saw at New Vegas last week, well watch THIS..." |
