How to create new weapon types?

[silvermoon383]

I've started playing one of the latest installments in a majorly popular game franchise and I've been quite impressed with the weapon that the main character wields. Since I've been a huge fan of this type of weapon (and glad at the refinements done to it since it was first introduced) I've decided to bring it into the game I run. Sadly, Robotech doesn't have much in the way of melee weapons so I have minimal experience with how Palladium's system handles sword combat. On top of that, there's the question on how you would combine a sword with a ranged weapon.

Any ideas? I know for sure it'll go under a WP: Exotic Weapons category, and I've even thought of making it its own WP.

[Bill]

Sword guns were briefly popular in the real world, before longer barrels and rifling made guns accurate enough to supplant the sword for general use. I wouldn't make it so complicated. When used as a sword, the character may apply WP Sword. When used as a pistol, rifle, or heavy military weapon, the appropriate ranged WP bonus is applied. Because it's a weird hybrid weapon, I'd apply a penalty against any weilder who doesn't have both proficiencies.

[Akashic Soldier]

Exactly what Bill says. Nice, simple, common sense answer.

[Stone Gargoyle]

What they said. You don't need a new or separate WP for this weapon, you just use the WP that is appropriate when you are using the weapon a certain way.