Specialist Weapons

[Grentain]

So, the rules for Specialist Weapons on page 42 of the BRB mention that you can only get +1A for fighting with two weapons if both weapons have the Specialist Weapon rule. It doesn't say anything in the rules text about them needing to be the same weapon. This is obviously against RAI, but as per RAW, can I have a guy with a Lightning Claw and a Power Fist, and benefit from extra attacks?

[MasterDecoy]

1)yes
2)why is this against rai?

[Nurgling Chieftain]

Fistnclaw is pretty much the new thing, now.

[Grentain]

1)yes
2)why is this against rai?

Well, the fluff text above the rules mentions something about the weapons only being effective in pairs, because they require special fighting styles, or some such. I suppose "Leaping Claw, Hammer Fist" style is where it's at.

[Alsiaie]

Well, the fluff text above the rules mentions something about the weapons only being effective in pairs, because they require special fighting styles, or some such. I suppose "Leaping Claw, Hammer Fist" style is where it's at.

That's right. Specialist weapons are most effective in pairs. A pfist and claw is a pair of specialist weapons. I don't even think this is a RAI issue. In most cases RAI is for ambiguous rule issues that cannot be given a 100% clear conclusion by RAW. RAI steps in to say what GW was thinking game mechanic wise how it's supposed to work instead of how the rules (incomplete or not) reads in the book. Fluff is not a game mechanic. It's like saying space marines should be given higher stats because fluff indicates 10 marines can kill off 1000 tyranids. (Although the old Movie Marines rules were quite entertaining.)

[ehlijen]

It is a change from previous editions, yes, but that doesn't have to mean it's unintended.

[The_Klobb_Maniac]

It's a nifty change IMO. Gives hope for the future of the game lol. They took away the ability to mix weapons (via the codices) before 5th and then slowly added it back in after the orks/daemons. Now most armies can mix and match like the old days. (Orks used to use the PK & Big Choppa to choose initiative and such.)

[MajorWesJanson]

Well, having two heavy specialist weapons, one on each side, does balance the weight distribution.
Lightning claws and power fists are rather similar, generally the LC is just a fist with added blades. It just works faster since you just need to swipe with it, rather than grab and tear like power fists or chain fists.

[Mr_Rose]

Sigh. I remember when lightning claws were literally power fists with swords on the back, allowing you to hit at S8 and parry too. Oh well.

[MagicHat]

RAW, there is no problem. The rule is as clear as it gets.
From my point of view, it is a great rule, though I wish that a power weapon would have been able to add attacks to both specialist and regular weapons.
My sole problem is if the designers intended it to work like this. This is the fluff.
"The mightiest weapons only reach their full potential when wielded in pairs, as they require an entirely different battle stance from that of more commonplace weapons - such inconvenience is inevitably repaid with greater destructive potential."
Might be changed in 7th again. I will wait for the next FAQ before starting on any specialist weapon armed character.

[Zeebeest]

If armed with a Power Fist and a Lightning Claw, do you get all your attacks with 1 of the two weapons if you choose so.

[Mr_Rose]

If armed with a Power Fist and a Lightning Claw, do you get all your attacks with 1 of the two weapons if you choose so.

• When you have two melee weapons you choose one profile to make all your attacks with.
• When you have two melee weapons you gain an extra attack.*

Those conditions are independent of each other; unless you have a special rule that says otherwise, you only make close combat attacks with one weapon profile in a given round of combat regardless of how many pointy things you happen to be carrying.



*Unless the profile you selected has the Specialist Weapon rule, in which case your second weapon must also have the Specialist Weapon rule to gain the extra attack.

[DoctorTom]

• When you have two melee weapons you choose one profile to make all your attacks with.
• When you have two melee weapons you gain an extra attack.*

Those conditions are independent of each other; unless you have a special rule that says otherwise, you only make close combat attacks with one weapon profile in a given round of combat regardless of how many pointy things you happen to be carrying.



*Unless the profile you selected has the Specialist Weapon rule, in which case your second weapon must also have the Specialist Weapon rule to gain the extra attack.

It does make for a refreshing change. It solves the issues like Eldrad, who had more than 2 melee weapons, and there were all the arguments about whether he could use the shuriken pistol with his staff or the witchblade, or if he was forced to use the the staff and the witchblade together in close combat. Marneus Calgar was another one with that problem. It's nice that they're learning to correct past problems.