Re: Re: (TFT) Ty's New TFT Campaign -- Swords 'n Space

["Anthony Merlock" <amerlock@execpc.com>]

If a low-velocity penetrator can get through the material, then low-velocity,
high-calibre solid penetrators would be the norm - imagine a low-velocity
gun that fires adamantium crossbow bolts.  True, range would be limited,
but it'd still hurt like hell, and would still be preferred over swords.

I think a swords & space campaign could be done with realistic tech, but
there would have to be strong sociological reasons to limit firearm use
in favor of melee weapons (again, see the movie "demolition man" - guns
were restricted for so long, the only place they could be found were in
museums, and in the underground).  But, in this case, the punishment for
having firearms (or just unlicensed firearms) would be *incredibly* severe.

In this case, guns would probably be biometrically linked to their licensed
owners, and every time a gun was fired, pictures & data from the shooting
would be transmitted to a central computer for analysis and law enforcement
purposes.

srydzews@ix.netcom.com wrote:
> anthony merlock wrote:
> > to summarize: relying on armor to prevent guns from being 
> > the weapon of choice is somewhat problematic because civilians 
> > won't wear armor, and because DS flechettes will cut through
> > 'soft' armor  [apologies if I'm over-simplifying]
> 
> Well...maybe.  If your armor is some sort of super-kevlar, 
> then these objections might be a problem.  If you're assuming
> something more along the lines of 'the innocuous fabric that 
> instantly becomes incredibly rigid and strong when hit at 
> high velocity', then maybe not.  
> 
> The wonder fabric could be light and airy enough to make normal
> clothes out of, and it would be just as effective against 
> flechettes as against normal bullets.  Now, granted, the idea
> of a jogging suit that stops rifle bullets just is a bit 'out 
> there' but if the alternative is to go to man-portable force 
> fields (a la Dune) then I think I can squint hard enough to 
> make it work.
> 
> And since it's activated by the impact of things at bullet-
> velocities, you have a pre-made reason why it doesn't stop 
> swords and thrown hatchets and whatnot.  This is a good thing
> because you want the armor to be of relatively little use 
> against such attacks, however kevlar, spectra, and the like
> actually do have considerable value against cutting weapons.
> 
> And as far the soft armor stopping lasers and gyrojet 
> HEAT warheads, well, um, it probably wouldn't, but 
> these are probably more firepower than mere thugs 
> can get ahold of. (yes, waving hands and squinting a 
> little harder now...) That sort of firepower is what 
> the military armor is made to stop.  
> 
> (Now if it's Star Wars and even the thugs have blasters, 
> then I think I've passed my squintability threshold.  At
> that point maybe it's time to haul out the personal force
> fields if you don't want to see the swords go back on the 
> shelf.)
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