CT Marine Cutlass: 2D or 3D damage?

[Maladominus]

The Basic Books (LBB1) says it's 2D of damage for the marine cutlass. But then the LBBs go on to say how the cutlass is such a badass weapon that does a hefty amount of damage, blah blah blah.

The Traveller Book, which is also canon, and which was published years later, states that the Cutlass does 3D of damage.

Now, I'm no expert with the damage potential of bladed weapons. If a CT "sword" can do 2D of damage, and a CT "broadsword" is a much larger blade that does 4D of damage.... then where does the Cutlass stand? Is it logical to give it 2D or 3D damage?

 

[Maladominus]

The Basic Books (LBB1) says it's 2D of damage for the marine cutlass. But then the LBBs go on to say how the cutlass is such a badass weapon that does a hefty amount of damage, blah blah blah.

The Traveller Book, which is also canon, and which was published years later, states that the Cutlass does 3D of damage.

Now, I'm no expert with the damage potential of bladed weapons. If a CT "sword" can do 2D of damage, and a CT "broadsword" is a much larger blade that does 4D of damage.... then where does the Cutlass stand? Is it logical to give it 2D or 3D damage?

 

[mike wightman]

Historically the cutlass was a short sword, with a blade 22"-27" according to online sources.

According to MT the sword and cutlass should both do 3d damage, with the sword having a penetration of 4 versus the cutlass' 3.

Striker also has the sword slightly better than the cutlass.

I'd go with 3d damage for both.

 

[mike wightman]

Historically the cutlass was a short sword, with a blade 22"-27" according to online sources.

According to MT the sword and cutlass should both do 3d damage, with the sword having a penetration of 4 versus the cutlass' 3.

Striker also has the sword slightly better than the cutlass.

I'd go with 3d damage for both.

 

[Jame]

Isn't the shortsword taken up by the CT blade?

 

[Jame]

Isn't the shortsword taken up by the CT blade?

 

[mike wightman]

Nope, that's more of a heavy hunting knife or trench knife like weapon.

The kukri is closer still I suppose.

About a 12" blade, too short to be a short sword.

Here's some pictures:

http://www.knivesaustralia.com.au/knives.html#martindale

 

[mike wightman]

Nope, that's more of a heavy hunting knife or trench knife like weapon.

The kukri is closer still I suppose.

About a 12" blade, too short to be a short sword.

Here's some pictures:

http://www.knivesaustralia.com.au/knives.html#martindale

 

[robject]

Quite possibly, the TL15 cutlass-equivalent might have advantages over the TL7 variety...

 

[robject]

Quite possibly, the TL15 cutlass-equivalent might have advantages over the TL7 variety...

 

[mike wightman]

So will the TL15 sword

 

[mike wightman]

So will the TL15 sword

 

[Bob Weaver]

IMTU, I made the cutlass that the Marines use much heavier (superdense material or some such) so that it could only be used by BD troops. The major effect of this is that it does a LOT more damage. Marines practice out of BD with normal ones, then turn on the strength enhancers of the BD to swing the super-heavy model. Why cutlass? Calling it traditional is good enough for me.

Best Regards,

Bob

 

[Bob Weaver]

IMTU, I made the cutlass that the Marines use much heavier (superdense material or some such) so that it could only be used by BD troops. The major effect of this is that it does a LOT more damage. Marines practice out of BD with normal ones, then turn on the strength enhancers of the BD to swing the super-heavy model. Why cutlass? Calling it traditional is good enough for me.

Best Regards,

Bob

 

[philippe tromeur]

In the Traveller Book and Starter Traveller, the cutlass does 3D damage.

 

[philippe tromeur]

In the Traveller Book and Starter Traveller, the cutlass does 3D damage.

 

[parmasson]

One of our house rules borrowed form other games is the STR bonus. If you have a high STR then you get additional damage. A burly STR 10 marine is going to do a lot more damage than a STR 6 accountant.

 

[parmasson]

One of our house rules borrowed form other games is the STR bonus. If you have a high STR then you get additional damage. A burly STR 10 marine is going to do a lot more damage than a STR 6 accountant.

 

[beowulf2044]

The damage for a CT cutlass is 3D. The confusion comes from the very first Traveller damage tables which listed modifiers for damage. The cutlass was originally something like "2D6+4". When they dropped the modifiers and rounded the numbers in the subsequent version they forgot to up the cutlass to 3D6. They also messed up the body pistol damage (3d6 instead of 2D6). The Citizens Supplement has the damages listed correctly.

 

[beowulf2044]

The damage for a CT cutlass is 3D. The confusion comes from the very first Traveller damage tables which listed modifiers for damage. The cutlass was originally something like "2D6+4". When they dropped the modifiers and rounded the numbers in the subsequent version they forgot to up the cutlass to 3D6. They also messed up the body pistol damage (3d6 instead of 2D6). The Citizens Supplement has the damages listed correctly.