Fencing skill interpretation

[RiftJunkie]

What do you think about the +1D6 damage from the fencing skill?

Does it apply to MD weapons like vibro-blades or magic swords or a psi-sword?

Normal PS damage bonus will not apply to MD weapons. This seems to me not to be a "strength" bonus, but more of an "accuracy from the skill" bonus. Would being "more accurate" with your blade justify an extra D6 for damage on an MD level or is this only worth a crap if you are fighting with SDC blades?

Is this up for debate or is there clarification on this somewhere?

[Alrik Vas]

Well, fencing adds damage, presumably from technique rather than strength. So it makes sense that MD weapons would add the damage. At least vibro-blades, as they operate pretty identically to normal weapons (though techincally they have more "edge" as the vibration field seems to be doing the cutting, rather than the edge itself, so any part of a vibro-blade aside the handle can cut MDC). Regardless of whether PS bonuses are added or not, i think the Fencing skill's bonus would apply.

I'm not altogether certain about Psi-Swords as per RAW, but i do allow it personally (though i also allow PS bonuses, so meh).

[Rimmerdal]

No, not really since the Bonus of damage is SDC by strict definition. However a bonus to the damage say a +1 to 3 or so would be fine and not game breaking. Might even if given a skill check allow to target vital cords or cables on mecha...

As for Pis-swords and Psi-Daggers..no. since there not physical weapons you can finesse.

[Giant2005]

Splicers has the answer you are looking for. It clarifies that the damage bonus does apply to M.D. weapons.

[Vrykolas2k]

It's a flat +1d6, doesn't specify only SDC, so it works for both due to training

[RiftJunkie]

I leaned towards that it worked either type of damage. To me, it makes sense that it is a skill that gives a bonus due to accuracy, finesse, training, skill with a blade or however someone might phrase it. Just wanted to see what others had for opinions. Didn't know it was referenced in Splicers. That's on my list for new books.

[Vrykolas2k]

No, not really since the Bonus of damage is SDC by strict definition. However a bonus to the damage say a +1 to 3 or so would be fine and not game breaking. Might even if given a skill check allow to target vital cords or cables on mecha...

As for Pis-swords and Psi-Daggers..no. since there not physical weapons you can finesse.

Personal decision, or is that covered somewhere?

[MaxxSterling]

If it doesn't specify, apply it to everything. The only thing I found annoying, was like rolling 1d4x10 plus 1d6 and then plus any other stuff. it gets annoying rolling odd dice like that. I'd rather it just added a straight number, like +6 damage, or maybe expanded the critical range by 1, so like you could get a crit on 19-20 or if higher level 16-20. Just my thoughts. I have actually played characters that had fencing, and I just didn't roll the d6 because it was annoying to do so.

[Rimmerdal]

No, not really since the Bonus of damage is SDC by strict definition. However a bonus to the damage say a +1 to 3 or so would be fine and not game breaking. Might even if given a skill check allow to target vital cords or cables on mecha...

As for Pis-swords and Psi-Daggers..no. since there not physical weapons you can finesse.

Personal decision, or is that covered somewhere?

Bit of both. The skill applies to swords and for the most part there SD Damage. My minor question would be armor and toughness issue with MDC targets. Also just because something does not say SD or MD should not imply it affects both. if I went strictly by what was in books my C-27 plasma gun in RUE would be plucking off targets in Mexico from up here in Toronto...That said.

The 1d6 is relatively tame number so I wouldn't be to bugged if GM or player said "an MDC sword gets that 1d6."

As for Psi-swords I thought read somewhere they weren't physical weapons so I'd rule they were energy weapons and as such no 1d6. same with the Wilk's Light...er laser sword. I'll double check the books though.

[Rimmerdal]

If it doesn't specify, apply it to everything. The only thing I found annoying, was like rolling 1d4x10 plus 1d6 and then plus any other stuff. it gets annoying rolling odd dice like that. I'd rather it just added a straight number, like +6 damage, or maybe expanded the critical range by 1, so like you could get a crit on 19-20 or if higher level 16-20. Just my thoughts. I have actually played characters that had fencing, and I just didn't roll the d6 because it was annoying to do so.

That critical range would make better sense. as it is meant to make the swordsmen (or Woman) more accurate..not able to inflict more damage. so a +6 to damage before crit multipliers would be just fine.

[Nomadic]

What do you think about the +1D6 damage from the fencing skill?

Does it apply to MD weapons like vibro-blades or magic swords or a psi-sword?

Normal PS damage bonus will not apply to MD weapons. This seems to me not to be a "strength" bonus, but more of an "accuracy from the skill" bonus. Would being "more accurate" with your blade justify an extra D6 for damage on an MD level or is this only worth a crap if you are fighting with SDC blades?

Is this up for debate or is there clarification on this somewhere?

Yes, and Yes for Psy Swords as well.

Speaking as someone who knows how to Fence it's not the blade it's how you use it. I add a simple +4 Damage on non D6 Weapons so odd dice don't have to be rolled. It's not game changing, in fact I recommend it.

[Vrykolas2k]

No, not really since the Bonus of damage is SDC by strict definition. However a bonus to the damage say a +1 to 3 or so would be fine and not game breaking. Might even if given a skill check allow to target vital cords or cables on mecha...

As for Pis-swords and Psi-Daggers..no. since there not physical weapons you can finesse.

Personal decision, or is that covered somewhere?

Bit of both. The skill applies to swords and for the most part there SD Damage. My minor question would be armor and toughness issue with MDC targets. Also just because something does not say SD or MD should not imply it affects both. if I went strictly by what was in books my C-27 plasma gun in RUE would be plucking off targets in Mexico from up here in Toronto...That said.

The 1d6 is relatively tame number so I wouldn't be to bugged if GM or player said "an MDC sword gets that 1d6."

As for Psi-swords I thought read somewhere they weren't physical weapons so I'd rule they were energy weapons and as such no 1d6. same with the Wilk's Light...er laser sword. I'll double check the books though.

How does a range of under 2000' allow you to shoot things in Mexico from Toronto...?

[Rimmerdal]

No, not really since the Bonus of damage is SDC by strict definition. However a bonus to the damage say a +1 to 3 or so would be fine and not game breaking. Might even if given a skill check allow to target vital cords or cables on mecha...

As for Pis-swords and Psi-Daggers..no. since there not physical weapons you can finesse.

Personal decision, or is that covered somewhere?

Bit of both. The skill applies to swords and for the most part there SD Damage. My minor question would be armor and toughness issue with MDC targets. Also just because something does not say SD or MD should not imply it affects both. if I went strictly by what was in books my C-27 plasma gun in RUE would be plucking off targets in Mexico from up here in Toronto...That said.

The 1d6 is relatively tame number so I wouldn't be to bugged if GM or player said "an MDC sword gets that 1d6."

As for Psi-swords I thought read somewhere they weren't physical weapons so I'd rule they were energy weapons and as such no 1d6. same with the Wilk's Light...er laser sword. I'll double check the books though.

How does a range of under 2000' allow you to shoot things in Mexico from Toronto...?

The book I have says in the paranthesis 488km...LOL! may not be the C-27..but I know one of the CS plasma guns had that print error.

[Nomadic]

No, not really since the Bonus of damage is SDC by strict definition. However a bonus to the damage say a +1 to 3 or so would be fine and not game breaking. Might even if given a skill check allow to target vital cords or cables on mecha...

As for Pis-swords and Psi-Daggers..no. since there not physical weapons you can finesse.

Personal decision, or is that covered somewhere?

Bit of both. The skill applies to swords and for the most part there SD Damage. My minor question would be armor and toughness issue with MDC targets. Also just because something does not say SD or MD should not imply it affects both. if I went strictly by what was in books my C-27 plasma gun in RUE would be plucking off targets in Mexico from up here in Toronto...That said.

The 1d6 is relatively tame number so I wouldn't be to bugged if GM or player said "an MDC sword gets that 1d6."

As for Psi-swords I thought read somewhere they weren't physical weapons so I'd rule they were energy weapons and as such no 1d6. same with the Wilk's Light...er laser sword. I'll double check the books though.

How does a range of under 2000' allow you to shoot things in Mexico from Toronto...?

The book I have says in the paranthesis 488km...LOL! may not be the C-27..but I know one of the CS plasma guns had that print error.

That's still only 300 Miles.

[Razzinold]

Back in the day our GM allowed it and he ruled it as training instead of strength.
He justified it by stating that the PC had extra training and could either A] trained to target vulnerable areas (instead of main body like an average sword user) when not wearing armour e.g. throat, face, muscles/tendons that when cut would make the opponent drop the sword or have a crippling effect (hamstring, Achilles tendon) or B] trained to target "weak" points of body armour (like at the elbows, neck, top of the leg where the armour meets the groin).

[Slight001]

Splicers has the answer you are looking for. It clarifies that the damage bonus does apply to M.D. weapons.

Yeah the Splicers book is full of neat little things like that. I got a martial artist in my campaign who's using the Armor W.P. to add an extra bit of umph to his attacks.