Gear: Melee Weapons

Age of Steam Melee Weapons

This section lists the iconic melee weapons characteristic not just of the age but of the technology level. The native peoples from the Americas to Africa, Australia, and the Pacific islands had a wide variety of indigenous melee weapons, most of which can be matched to something in the pre-industrial melee weapon list.

DescriptionUseTypePen
(size +0)		WoundAPSharpBlunt
Wound		Def
(size +0)		Bulk
LengthMassPriceImbalWSizeWLen
Bowie Knifethrust, 1HPierce+4½ RS+1½+0+2+½+1+00.30.355+0-1¾-4
 swing, 1HSlash+2½ RS+4½+0+0+½+1+1
 throw, 1HPierce+3 RS+1½+0+2+½n/a+0
Cavalry Saberthrust, 1HPierce+4 RS+2+0+1½+1+3+30.71.218+0-½-1
 swing, 1HSlash+3 RS+5½+0+0+1+3+1
Trade Tomahawkswing, 1HHack+3½ RS+4+0+½+1+1+1½0.450.77+2-1-2½
 throw, 1HHack+3½ RS+4+0+½+1n/a+2
LassothrowControl[+0 RS][+2]+0+0+1n/a+5101.21.8+0-½+7
Bullwhipswing, 1HSmash+2 RS+1+0+0+1+4/+1+730.712+0-1+3
 wrapControl[+0 RS][+1]+0+0+1+4/+1+0
Bolasswing, 1HSmash+2½ RS+1+0+0+1+3/+1+51.50.450.6+2-1½+1
 throw, 1HSmash+2½ RS+1+0+0+1n/a+2
 wrapControl[+0 RS][+1]+0+0+1+3/+1+2
Pistol Whipswing, 1HSmash+3½ RS+1+0+0+1+0+00.31.20+2-½-4
Light Rifle, buttswing, 2HSmash+5 RS+1+0+0+1+1+4½1.23.50+2+½+½
   barrelthrust, 2HSmash+4½ RS+1+0+0+1+1+0
Rifle-Musket, buttswing, 2HSmash+5½ RS+1+0+0+1+2+51.550+2+1+1
   barrelthrust, 2HSmash+5 RS+1+0+0+1+2+0
   bayonetthrust, 2HPierce+7½ RS+1½+0+2+½+2+0

  • Bowie Knife: A style of large single-edged fightin' knife characteristic of the American frontier, with a cross-guard and a clip point. In game terms, it has the same stats as any other dagger, but is so iconic it would be a shame not to list it.
  • Cavalry Saber: A single-edged slightly curved blade with a full hand guard. It was common with the cavalry, and used as a sign of rank by officers. On the European continent, affairs of honor were often settled by saber duels.
  • Trade Tomahawk: These are the metal-headed axes that became famously popular among the Native Americans of the age. They were common trade goods, distributed by fur companies or anyone entering "Indian territory" looking for profit rather than trouble. The trade tomahawk often had a hollow shaft and a pipe bowl opposite the blade, for smoking tobacco.
  • Lasso: Call them cowboys, stockmen, vaqueros, huasos, gaúchos, llaneros, or campinos; men across the frontier areas herded cattle on the open range from horseback. To manage their cattle, they used the lasso, a length of stiff rope tied with a slip-knot loop or noose on one end. The noose is thrown to catch a target, then pulled tight to hold on. After throwing, it will take an action to recover and prepare the lasso before it can be thrown again. Cutting the lasso rope requires penetrating an armor roll of 2d6, -3 RS.
  • Bullwhip: This was a tool used to herd cattle, encouraging them to move along with the sound of the whip's crack. It is a length of braided cord, or thong, attached to a handle. In combat, it can be used to strike or to wrap the thong around the opponent in order to grapple. If coiled for storage, it is only Bulk +1. It can be cut through by penetrating an Armor Roll of 2d6, -4 RS with hack, slash, or burn type damage.
  • Bolas: The bola is commonly associated with the gauchos of Patagonia. It is a pair or trio of weights attached by cords. They are swung overhead and thrown, often aiming for the legs, so that they wrap around and entagle their target. If coiled for storage, it is Bulk -1. Cutting the bolas rope requires penetrating an armor roll of 2d6,-5 RS.
  • Pistol Whip: Hitting someone with an Age of Steam pistol probably means you won't be able to shoot the pistol again, but sometimes yer gotta do what yer gotta do.
  • Light Rifle: Your typical breach loading or repeating rifle of this age won't take well to being smashed into another person. But if you are out of ammo, maybe you don't have a choice.
  • Rifle-Musket: Military rifle-muskets were sturdy things, well up to the task of being used to batter someone with their various ends. They are made to be able to fix bayonets, allowing them to function as crude spears.

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