Machine Merge + Weapon Merge

[Godslayer]

Two questions really...

One: If you are using Machine Merge from PU3, and you merge with a gun, do you get the +5 level bonus? Do you also add your PP bonus?

Two: If you have both Machine Merge and Weapon Merge, and you merge with a weapon are you effectively +11 levels?

[Tinker Dragoon]

Two questions really...

One: If you are using Machine Merge from PU3, and you merge with a gun, do you get the +5 level bonus? Do you also add your PP bonus?

A strict reading of the example in the power description seems to indicate that you would get either A) normal W.P. bonuses plus P.P. bonuses if you have the appropriate W.P., or B) 5th level W.P. bonuses and no P.P. bonus if you don't have the W.P.

However, I prefer a more liberal interpretation: as long as the weapon is electronic (the power doesn't work with conventional firearms, unless the weapon has a targeting computer or other electronic controls), then the character can treat his W.P. with the weapon as five levels higher or gets the W.P. rated at 5th level, and adds P.P. bonuses to strike rolls in both cases.

Two: If you have both Machine Merge and Weapon Merge, and you merge with a weapon are you effectively +11 levels?

Assuming that you are actually referring to Weapon Melding (PU1, p. 86), and the powers are simply stacked as written, yes. However, in considering the guidelines for combining powers (HU2, p. 74), the GM may wish to reduce the overall bonuses or only use the higher of the respective bonuses.

In any event, the character is barred from ever learning a formal W.P. (a limitation of Weapon Melding), and the bonuses stop accumulating once you achieve an effective skill level of 15 (and even lower for some W.P. skills).

[Tor]

A strict reading of the example in the power description seems to indicate that you would get either A) normal W.P. bonuses plus P.P. bonuses if you have the appropriate W.P., or B) 5th level W.P. bonuses and no P.P. bonus if you don't have the W.P.

PU3p74's example doesn't mention anything about not getting the PP bonus if you don't have the skill, it just doesn't repeat the reminder. Without explicit exclusion, you would use it as normal.