[CanRay]

Well, technically anyone could always use a lightsaber. The prequels didn't change that. However, the Jedi were the only ones who practiced swordplay in a world of laser guns. So it wasn't that anyone else was incapable, it is just that they were untrained.

It's just really hard to do and you don't want to lose a limb.

They're great lockpicks if you're careful, however.

[Mirikon]

Well, technically anyone could always use a lightsaber. The prequels didn't change that. However, the Jedi were the only ones who practiced swordplay in a world of laser guns. So it wasn't that anyone else was incapable, it is just that they were untrained.

It's just really hard to do and you don't want to lose a limb.

They're great lockpicks if you're careful, however.

Yes, well Jedi reflexes tend to help with that. Which is another reason most non-Jedi just used blasters.

[CanRay]

Yes, well Jedi reflexes tend to help with that. Which is another reason most non-Jedi just used blasters.

“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”

One thing I also like about blasters over lightsabres, they have a Stun setting.

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

A couple of things.  One, the SR universe does not yet have plasma-based weapons of any sort; going there turns it into a very much nastier universe, where civilian casualties (as it were) are almost automatic as soon as they get broken out.  However, the most likely scenario for their existence would be in the shape of a heavy shoulder-fired weapon, tripod-mounted weapon, or heavy vehicular gun -- very much like David Drake's description of them in the 'Fleet' books.  (Read one of the short stories here at Amazon.com.  Corporal Sienkiewicz carries one; she's a big damn ork-style girl.)  Weapon like that is pure military bazooka -- and really, they have them in Shadowrun right now, they're just called 'Gauss Weapons'.

What you should be looking at is a way to make a monofilament whip into a monofilament 'rod' -- 1.5m of almost-unbending straight nigh-microscopic wire.  They have this in the game 'Dark Conspiracy' -- a grip with a red ball on the tip so that you know Where The F**k your weapon is.  What you want for Shadowrun is a discovery that stiffens short sections of monofilament wire.  Perhaps a new method of creating wire which, when a low-level electrical charge is passed into it (or through it), the wire stiffens.  Or -- even more possible -- you bond it to either side of a length of miniscule width and thickness clear (or slightly milky) memory plastic -- which DOES hold a shape when a charge is passed through it -- which 'withdraws' (is reeled) into the grip when the charge is removed.  A simple low-level non-damaging laser is fired into the memory plastic, not only giving it some color, but also lighting up the length so that you know just exactly 'where' the weapon is.

Remember, look for ways the game already uses.

[All4BigGuns]

Well, technically anyone could always use a lightsaber. The prequels didn't change that. However, the Jedi were the only ones who practiced swordplay in a world of laser guns. So it wasn't that anyone else was incapable, it is just that they were untrained.

Well, not quite the only ones, I believe there were some wealthy individuals with not Force Sensitivity that were skilled lightsaber duelists. Some even as good if not better than a Jedi.

[Lethe]

Well, not quite the only ones, I believe there were some wealthy individuals with not Force Sensitivity that were skilled lightsaber duelists. Some even as good if not better than a Jedi.

That's true, but only the intuition of the force let you move it in a way to deflect laser beams.
While others might be capable duelist they will fail instantly versus laser guns from distant.
Vice versa so in close combat and even good shots will fail instantly versus light sabers.
Only the combination Force+Lightsaber can excel in both situations.

[JustADude]

That's true, but only the intuition of the force let you move it in a way to deflect laser beams.

*facepalm*

Right, forgot all about that.

What do you think, Intuition + EMW(Lightsaber) to "parry" bullets,  but only if the Saber is Bound to the wielder? Maybe with penalty against Narrow Bursts, since you have to move the Saber faster to get them all?

Also, of course, useless against explosives.

[Lethe]

What do you think, Intuition + EMW(Lightsaber) to "parry" bullets,  but only if the Saber is Bound to the wielder? Maybe with penalty against Narrow Bursts, since you have to move the Saber faster to get them all?

Sounds good. We probably need a new adepts way: "Way of the Force" ;-)

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

Bullet deflection is theoretically possible now, using a blade.  Simply allow an adept with Missile Parry to deflect bullets with a sword.

Seriously, you guys are over-thinking this.

[JustADude]

Sounds good. We probably need a new adepts way: "Way of the Force" ;-)

The bonuses and Preferred Power list would probably have to be pretty diverse, all things considered... bits from The Warrior's Way and The Artist's Way perhaps?

Bullet deflection is theoretically possible now, using a blade.  Simply allow an adept with Missile Parry to deflect bullets with a sword.

Oh come on; it's just for fun.

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

A 'Jedi' by necessity would have to be a Mystic Adept.  S/he could follow a Way, but the ideal mix would be Warrior's, Speaker's, and Athlete's Ways.

And why piddle around for fun when you can build something that actually works, and falls within -- or barely outside, at the most -- the game's rules already?? 

Use the 'stiffened monowhip/memory plastic core' with the laser pointer in the hilt to help indicate where the blade is.  Reach 1, inflicts monofilament whip damage, depending on the GM might use Blades, might require an exotic melee weapon skill.  A critical glitch indicates chopping yourself up, and the wielder has to make a weapon skill roll when turning it off (though not on) in order to not accidentally slice himself during the dangerous moment when the memory plastic is going limp and is being wound in but is still outside the hilt.

Extend Missile Parry to deflecting bullets with a blade -- perhaps at a -2 or -4 to the pool.  Figure out your Way of the Jedi, and voila' -- you have only two things that you actually have to get past the GM, i.e. the monofilament 'lightsaber' and the bullet-cutting.