I was rolling up a backup character for my Deathwatch game, as my Tactical Marine was burning Fate Points like S'mores in the last session, and decided I'd make a Black Templar Assault Marine. A pair of Lightning Claws really appealed to me, especially after I saw the special quality they have - 2 extra damage per Degree of Success when using a pair. "Nice!", I thought to myself, "That'll synergize well with my numerous WS bonuses" (Master-Craftsmanship, Hunter of Aliens/Scourge of Heretics, Hatreds galore....).

Anyway, I realized after everything was said and done that I hadn't looked at the errata to see whether the Lightning Claws had changed. To my dismay, they had. I could live with the Tearing being taken away, since it was replaced by Proven(4), but I noticed also that the Special quality (which I believe is what gives the damage bonus from Degrees of Success) had been removed. Searching this forum turned up one topic that mentioned the problem, but as far as I could tell did not give a firm resolution (arguing back and forth a bit, then the thread apparently died off).

So my question - do Lightning Claws still get 1 extra damage per Degree of Success when one claw is used, and 2 extra damage per Degree of Success when utilizing a pair? If they don't I may have to rethink my character concept.

I'd just use the BC version.

It has proven (4) and the special rule. This also indicates that the DW one was also supposed to keep the rule, or at least that they came to the conclusion that the rule should be kept after the errata.

The optional weapon rules of the errata look like a temporary repair with duct tape!

They fix some weapon issues but generate a lot of new Problems. In case of taking away the Tearing ability of the Lightning Claws our Assault Marines Flesh Render became pretty useless. Unless the errata will be reworked, we only use the new stats as inspirations for house rules, as half of the new stats seem to be broken. Who needs a Bolter, when he has got an Assault Shotgun now?

Assualt shotgun does seem more than slightly busted. Ok, it has a short range, and if you are using Scatter it is fairly meh after short range. However, if you simply swap out with armour piercing rounds it becomes bent (1d10+10 pen 9 with full auto? Yes please). Ok, it is only useful up to 90 odd metres, but most fights tend to be at that range anyway.

Armour piecring rounds shouldn't be a flat +5 pen, or at least not in the case of the shotgun. The damage should be reduced (one of the few weapons which was boosted in the Errata) and it should, in line with most other basic weapons, have full auto-removed. Maybe even have a damage reduction.

To be honest, I think this is just bad editing. They put this special to Lightning Claws but then you have special rules for example for Power Fists that don't have such a signifier. FFG has been inconsistent there.

I think the default assumption should be that tearing is out, proven is in and the adding DoS to damage is still in effect. It's a special weapon rule as melta and plasma weapon have it. I don't think these special rules need to be mentioned in the weapon damage tables. Still something worth clarifying.

Alex