Could a Space Marine(40k) use a Lightsaber

[IvanTih]

um, I think you missed my point, since he calls it a powersword right up until he describes it as laser sword.

Power weapon equals slicy doom sword, doesn't necessarily follow its using the same sort of disintigration field as the classic power weapon.

Always thought that power weapon meant a weapon sheated in molecular bond breaking field.Thanks.

[white_rabbit]

um, I think you missed my point, since he calls it a powersword right up until he describes it as laser sword.

Power weapon equals slicy doom sword, doesn't necessarily follow its using the same sort of disintigration field as the classic power weapon.

Always thought that power weapon meant a weapon sheated in molecular bond breaking field.Thanks.

IT DOES.

What I'm apparently not communicating very well is that its a term that has been used to describe other weapons that are clearly not such devices, and I think this might be some sort of feedback from the game.

oh god it doesn't matter.

[andrewgpaul]

"Power weapon" has always been a vague term. Originally, a power sword was a thin wire surrounded by an energy field - like a cross between a lightsaber and a slaver stasis sword, while a power axe was a solid blade which was vibrated at a high frequency. The "sword blade surrounded by energy" look for power swords followed the sculpting of the miniatures - sculpting a "thin wire surrounded by an energy field" is rather difficult.

Regardless, they all function in such a sufficiently similar way as to be represented by the same set of game rules (unless the 40K RPGs differentiate them) and any differences are only described as cosmetic in the novels and stories. You're being overly pedantic (and I'm getting ninja-ed by NecronLord).

[FrankManic]

I always thought the explanations for why no one else uses lightsabers ranged from contrived to out and out stupid. It's three pound cylinder. It has a massless blade that cuts through pretty much everything. That's the whole deal. The 'massive gyroscopic forces' explanation that's been popping up lately just... doesn't safisfy.

So yeah, a Space Marine could use a light saber just like anyone else.

[Purple]

Well, I always figured that it was because they are difficult to make. And because they only go so far.
I mean, a blaster can kill your enemy at ranges like a modern rifle, and to use a light saber you actually have to get close.

Anyone without force speed or some similar magical ability that allows them to close the distance rapidly, or without magical force reflexes and reaction time that allow them to swat blaster shots out of the air would find little utility in a light saber other than using it as a glorified plasma cuter.

And if I recall corectly, star wars does feature plasma cuters and other similar equipment.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Fusion_cutters


PS. I hope this does not count as a necro.

[Vendetta]

Well, I always figured that it was because they are difficult to make. And because they only go so far.
I mean, a blaster can kill your enemy at ranges like a modern rifle, and to use a light saber you actually have to get close.

Though of course there are Space Marines whose entire job is to get close in to the enemy and engage them in close combat.

[Lancer]

Well, I always figured that it was because they are difficult to make. And because they only go so far.
I mean, a blaster can kill your enemy at ranges like a modern rifle, and to use a light saber you actually have to get close.

Though of course there are Space Marines whose entire job is to get close in to the enemy and engage them in close combat.

And they have jetpacks, drop-pod insertions, or outright magical abilities to get them into close combat rapidly.

[Purple]

Exactly, hence using a light saber might make sense for a space marine, but would newer really make sense for an average guy in star wars.

(my post was a reply to FrankManic)

[Cykeisme]

..aaand in conclusion there's nothing a Space Marine can do with a lightsaber that he can't also do with a power sword. Right?

[Ghost Rider]

..aaand in conclusion there's nothing a Space Marine can do with a lightsaber that he can't also do with a power sword. Right?

Pretty much. In fact he likely has a better feel with a power swords as in the weight issue would help him.

[white_rabbit]

..aaand in conclusion there's nothing a Space Marine can do with a lightsaber that he can't also do with a power sword. Right?

..aaand in conclusion there's nothing a Space Marine can do with a lightsaber that he can't also do with a power sword. Right?

Power Swords of the most common type apparently have a defined cutting edge, according to the short story "Words of Blood", as a guy with a mundane weapon duels a Marine via skilful use of his own sword movements to avoid a direct edge on edge contact. He gets cut in half when the marine stops messing around, but that doesn't change the facts.

You can probably write you name on something much more easily with a lightsaber, so as a rough cutting tool, the saber could cut in any direction, from any position more easily maybe ?

Useful I know.