[viaRailGun]

under gear listing in SR4A, the katana is mentioned as being "two handed". is this just fluff, and for rules purposes we assume it's one handed?

[Mirikon]

In real life, the katana is an example of a hand and a half sword, which can be used one or two handed.

[RHat]

...  What would make you think it's a one-handed weapon, rules-wise?  Standard -2 penalty for one handed use would apply, by RAW.

[viaRailGun]

so i can't raise damage with a katana by using both hands eh? solution: nodachi. 

[Elektrycerze3]

monofilament sword. 1 or 2 hand?

As all two-handed weapons are clearly listed as such, I presume monofilament sword is one-handed. Seems OK to me: it's a broadsword and they are usually one-handed.

The cost difference (the m-sword is 250nyen or so cheaper), despite the katana being inferior to the monofilament sword due to the -2 for using it with only one hand, is quite reasonable I guess: the katana is prized for, well, being an awesome historical sword and such, while the m-sword is simply a more efficient and modern tool.

Hope that helps

[Elektrycerze3]

Oh... You changed you last post, apparently... Sorry, never mind.

[viaRailGun]

monofilament sword. 1 or 2 hand?

figured it was 1H

Hope that helps

thanks though!

[Mystalya]

This is kinda funny I just realized this. I always envisioned the katana as one-handed weapon. Too much Kenshin I suppose. So when using one on a character I always envisioned it being wielded that way. My GM pictures it as two handed and since he's imagining that I never received a minus. It just never came up.

Long story short, in my opinion, I don't think you really lose anything by letting your player live out his one-handed samurai dream. Unless he starts duel wielding or something in which case you'd have to get a little stricter.

[Medicineman]

Myamoto Musashi says its 1-handed

with a japanese Dance
Medicineman

[RHat]

In his two sword style, perhaps, but he actually only used that fairly rarely as I recall.

[KarmaInferno]

Katanas were traditionally used two-handed.

A few rare exceptions do exist. Musashi, as mentioned, is one, but he was considered unusual even among his contemporaries. And as said, he didn't use it all the time.



-k

[Mara]

Katanas were traditionally used two-handed.

A few rare exceptions do exist. Musashi, as mentioned, is one, but he was considered unusual even among his contemporaries. And as said, he didn't use it all the time.



-k

And he won a sword fight using a carved oar, and he threw his wakizashi(a weapon that does not exist in Shadowrun) to win another..
Frankly, using Musashi as a reference for how to fight is...not the best idea. It would be like using James Joyce as an example of how
to write fiction.

[Medicineman]

wakizashi(a weapon that does not exist in Shadowrun) to win another..

Why don't You use the Sword  for a Wakizashi ?

HokaHey
Medicineman

[Mirikon]

wakizashi(a weapon that does not exist in Shadowrun) to win another..

Why don't You use the Sword  for a Wakizashi ?

HokaHey
Medicineman

That's what I do.

[All4BigGuns]

...  What would make you think it's a one-handed weapon, rules-wise?  Standard -2 penalty for one handed use would apply, by RAW.

I find it very disturbing how people here will use the descriptions of the items whenever it suits their purposes, but will make excuses not to go by a description if it goes against their view. This is a prime example--making use of the description for requiring the katana to be two-hand only while at the same time ignoring the lack of a page reference to the "don't tase me roll" on SnS ammo. Double standards are bad, people.