I do not want my cleric's shield to be busted after parrying a power sword strike, but nor do I want him to have the equivalent of a Space Marine's waaaay overpowered Storm Shield (although I'm not even sure if that is in Deathwatch at all). Is there a way to improve a shield with a power field without making it into a Storm Shield? I cannot find anything in any of the DH or Black Crusade books…

Can't you just Lathe (pg 147 IH) the shield?

Unlike Mono, which works for ALL primitive weapons (Though some debate if this means the class of primitive weapons or just ones with the primitive trait), Lathe is specifically BLADES (knives, throwing knives, swords, axes and similar I think).

If it doesn't need to be a shield, in RT Into the Storm there is forearm powerblade which has power field, balanced and defensive, unfortunately it is exotic weapon and since it is fom a different system, there is no cost and your GM may not approve.

Cymbel said:

Pg 63, Hostile Acquisitions, Chapter 'Armour Upgrades', "Lathe-Wrought." He didn't mention anything about RT, only DH and BC. So, I gave him a page reference for DH. And shields count as weapons and armour. GM discretion is advised.

Different book, different process.

So are you telling me I can't Lathe my staff? Or my hammer? Or my walking stick because I'm rich and I just want too? What effect does this have? Well, as a GM I would have to decide that since it's not a blade, it doesn't get the + Dam and +Pen (unless I'm smart and I customize it to have blades that retract, or put spikes on it, etc), but that yes, it can parry Power Weapons without being destroyed.

Now is this official doctrine? Nope. So, on behalf on all 'RAW' people who don't like Houserules, I will contact FFG (at the bottom of this page) and see what official statements they make.

pg 147 of IH: Lathe Blade

Knives, throwing knives, swords, axes and great weapons. No shields. Although I could ask the GM to make an exception. RT is of no use to us since none of us have any of those books or played that system.

Nameless2all said:

By RaW and RaI, yes. However, a sensible GM can find a workaround/substitute for it. In Ascension there is a powerfield short staff/stake (In Daemonhunter there is the Null Rod). In RT there are weapons that have "power fields" by the nature of their design, not by actually having one. You can also just make up/use existing extremely tough materials that are tough enough to withstand a blow from a powerfield. But a lathe blade forging is not for non blades by default.

deadlyhammer said:

Nameless2all said:

Nameless2all said:

1) There is an echo effect here.

2) I never said Lathe Blade….. I said "Lathe" it dag nap it. So please quit putting words in my mouth.

3) I now see why I like to frequent the "Houserules" forum.

4) To get back on track to the question at hand, for 'RAW' advice, I'm at a loss for words then so hopefully someone else can assist you. Happy hunting to you and your crew though deadlyhammer.

Here's a suggestion that I know some groups use:

Change the effect of a Power weapon from being able to destroy another non-powerfield, non-lathe weapon 75% of the time to simply having an increased chance to sunder another's weapon or armour.

This was done as it made no sense for some groups, most notably the Ecclesiarchy and the Battle Sisters, who heavily use Chain weaponry, to always go against some people and after 2 rounds be down to back-up weapons.

Also, by giving a person the increased chance to damage another's weapon, but not making it an automatic effect, it then becomes a tactic that must be chosen, instead of the min/max effect of having the ultimate destroyer weapon.

I'm curious what you mean by 'chance to sunder'. What is the mechanism that you use to make this work?

I would suppose treat it as a called shot to the weapon and then do the powerfield chance to destroy only then?