Forums of the Megaverse®

Are there any tables or GM "rules of thumb" for what P.S. is required to handle certain weapons or objects?

I've see weapons that weigh >100 lb that require a P.S. of 21 (give or take) & higher to handle, but I've also seen weapons that weight 80 to 90 lbs that need a P.S. of 24 or more!

my rule is, if your maximum carrying weight is 2x or greater than the weapons weight, you can use it no penalties.

It very well may not just be weight that's a factor. Imagine a 25 pound barbell. Easy enough to lift and carry around. Now take the same weight and put it into a 20 foot pole. Much more awkward and tireing. I always assume that the ST requrements for weapons is based equally off of the weight as the awkwardness of the weapon. Recoil would also play a part too. A 90 lb laser would be easier to fire than a 90 lb railgun.

But there is no standard chart. I just wing it. If the person has the ST required I don't go further than that. If they ain't strong enough, they have severe penelties or just can't use the weapon in question.

Most really awkward and heavy weapons have the PS needed lissted, but then again I think that a lot of weapons are seemingly too light. That's OK in the case of lasers and other hand held energy weapons that are quite futuristic, but although I cannot remember exactly what it is, the weight of the Vulcan mini gun and some of the rail guns seem really light, especially if they are built to be carried by borgs, PA and robots.