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I've had this question for a long time. Is it possible for a single character (Sergeant, Commissar, Commander etc) to have a power fist AND a power sword?
If not, then why did GW make a Commissar model with a power fist and power sword?


I know that Jarran Kell has got both of these weapons. But how do you really use them during a game?
I'm no expert at the game, I mostly collect and paint miniatures. So please don't flame me, if you think this is a stupid question. Thanks.

I think you use one or the other

They are legal for game purposes.They are classed as separate special weapons and when playing you have to state which one you are using at that time.

Page 40 of the rule book explains how you use multiple special weapons.(all attacks are made with your choice of weapons, and you can never gain the bonus attack for 2 CCW).

If a Model is armed(in it's base profile) with 2 weapons and then in the Options for that model it says you can replace "either or both" of those weapons for special close combat weapons; then you may do just that.In the Case of a Lord Commissar he has a Bolt Pistol and CCW, and may exchange either or Both, and under those options has both Power Sword and Power Fist listed; so yes that model is legal.

Captain Damian wrote:I've had this question for a long time. Is it possible for a single character (Sergeant, Commissar, Commander etc) to have a power fist AND a power sword?
If not, then why did GW make a Commissar model with a power fist and power sword?


I know that Jarran Kell has got both of these weapons. But how do you really use them during a game?
I'm no expert at the game, I mostly collect and paint miniatures. So please don't flame me, if you think this is a stupid question. Thanks.

the other thing you have to remember is that the particular model you're looking at is either from 2nd or 3rd edition and was modelled with rules that are either 12 or 15+ years old. not every fig you can buy was sculpted with the current rules in mind. that said, as someone stated before, you can use his RAW as a commissar lord.

Thanks a lot for your answers. Clears up a lot for me. I was considering giving one of my commanders a power fist and power sword, but I had no idea if people would react negatively or positively.

well, you can give him a power fist and a CCW, and thats a legit WYSIWYG model.

just because its a sword, doesn't make it a "power" sword... it might just be a ccw, which is free. You won't get a bolt pistol shot, but who cares, the model is cool.

Power sword all the way they have bolt/las pistols.

you can have both in which you chose which one to use at the staart of the assult phase, the power fist is slower, more powerful and can't give an extra attack (unless you have another one) and the sword is usualy faster, weaker but can be used with another ccw.

If I could derail this a smidge since the OP has their answer... can I replace my laspistol AND close combat weapon for a powerfist and a powerfist and get the extra attack for having two fists?

I'd assume so, it'd be expensive though...

Yes - if you have 2 powerfists you gain the extra attack.

Lt Lathrop wrote:If I could derail this a smidge since the OP has their answer... can I replace my laspistol AND close combat weapon for a powerfist and a powerfist and get the extra attack for having two fists?

sure, it's legal.. but i wouldn't recommend it. that's a whole lot of points on a single model with normal human stats who gets insta-killed by a single relic blade or plasma hit.

In Close Combat if you have two of the same weapon (two power swords, lightning claws, power fists, thunder hammers) you get an extra attack.

If you have one normal power weapon and a special weapon (power fist, Thunder Hammer) you don't get the extra attack for wielding two CC weapons, but you can choose which you attack with.

For example against a lot of infantry with normal armour save you choose the sword. For heavy infantry (Terminators etc) or Walkers you choose the Power Fist.

Only thing that's possibly points effective on a non-special model is twin lightning claws IMO

Corennus wrote:In Close Combat if you have two of the same weapon (two power swords, lightning claws, power fists, thunder hammers) you get an extra attack.

technically, you don't need two power weapons as you can get an extra attack from a power weapon and a close combat weapon (bolt pistol, combat blade, etc). the other examples do require an identical second weapon, though.

Corennus wrote:If you have one normal power weapon and a special weapon (power fist, Thunder Hammer) you don't get the extra attack for wielding two CC weapons, but you can choose which you attack with.

This is only true for certain weapons like power fists and thunder hammers, but not for others, like power weapons.

You COULD use this model as-is. The benefit would be that you would get to choose if you want 3 power fist attacks or 4 power weapon attacks. The only time you'd ever choose the power weapon is if you feel there's a real danger of having the commissar killed before the I1 pulse came around. Definitely not worth 10 points.

warboss wrote:the other thing you have to remember is that the particular model you're looking at is either from 2nd or 3rd edition and was modelled with rules that are either 12 or 15+ years old. not every fig you can buy was sculpted with the current rules in mind.

Yeah, no kidding. Priest with holy relic and plasma gun, for the... wait... when were priests EVER able to take plasma guns? Furthermore, when were they ever able to shoot them?

True. they really should adress the idea of using 2 power swords means rerolls to wound maybe.

Ailaros wrote:

Yeah, no kidding. Priest with holy relic and plasma gun, for the... wait... when were priests EVER able to take plasma guns? Furthermore, when were they ever able to shoot them?

lol, right now with the witch hunters codex. i'll agree though that i've never actually seen one on the tabletop. outside of the squat and LatD debacles, GW has done a good job of not completely invalidating models (IG sergeants with lasguns and commisars with storm bolters are an exception also). mind you, they'll change the rules/cost enough so that there is no way in hell you'd want to take a particular loadout (IG medics come to mind) but they don't generally get rid of them.

LOL power fist and a lightning claw works the same way, Although I don't know of any models that can have both off the top of my head..

Power Fist and Lightning Claw work the same way??? what codex are you reading??

Lightning Claw: taken in pairs allows an extra attack to be rolled. Is a power weapon so no armour saves are allowed. Due to the nature of the claws being individual power weapons any rolls to wound that fail can be rerolled.

Power Fist: Boosts wearer;s strength by double (up to a max of 10). Is a power weapon so armour saves cannot be taken against it. However since it is so unwieldy the user's initiative, regardless of his normal stats, is reduced to 1.


Lightning claws allow you to use your high initiative and get lots of wounds in. Power Fists you have to stand there are take punishment before you wade in with Str 8 attacks.

Ailaros wrote:


Yeah, no kidding. Priest with holy relic and plasma gun, for the... wait... when were priests EVER able to take plasma guns? Furthermore, when were they ever able to shoot them?

2nd Edition Sisters of Battle codex.

Corennus wrote:Power Fist and Lightning Claw work the same way??? what codex are you reading??

Lightning Claw: taken in pairs allows an extra attack to be rolled. Is a power weapon so no armour saves are allowed. Due to the nature of the claws being individual power weapons any rolls to wound that fail can be rerolled.

Power Fist: Boosts wearer;s strength by double (up to a max of 10). Is a power weapon so armour saves cannot be taken against it. However since it is so unwieldy the user's initiative, regardless of his normal stats, is reduced to 1.


Lightning claws allow you to use your high initiative and get lots of wounds in. Power Fists you have to stand there are take punishment before you wade in with Str 8 attacks.

nonono. I mean you can choose which one to use if you have both (in theory). I know what both of them do

Samus_aran115 wrote:LOL power fist and a lightning claw works the same way, Although I don't know of any models that can have both off the top of my head..

SM Chapter Master and Captain.

Really? Cool. I was looking in my CSM dex hoping that lords could do it, but I guess not

You could really have fun with 1 claw 1 fist.

Ironhide wrote:

Samus_aran115 wrote:LOL power fist and a lightning claw works the same way, Although I don't know of any models that can have both off the top of my head..

SM Chapter Master and Captain.

and inquisitors.

"By the Authority of the Immortal Emperor of Man... I can wield a pointless combination of weaponry!"


oh, and priests still can use plasma guns with the current witch hunters codex, btw.

They don't have that "restless" rule (or whatever it was called), that means that they MUST charge if within range and are barred from using weapons that won't allow them to charge? They got rid of that rule in the new IG codex, but they still can't take plasma guns.

Ailaros wrote:They don't have that "restless" rule (or whatever it was called), that means that they MUST charge if within range and are barred from using weapons that won't allow them to charge? They got rid of that rule in the new IG codex, but they still can't take plasma guns.

the witch hunter book is from 3rd edition so they still have the "must charge" rule... but they do get the option to take one priest with a plasma gun. some good, some bad. i guess the witch hunter priests are more charismatic in that they can convince the armorer to give them better stuff... and then they fail to take advantage of it half the time due to their fury.

Im pretty sure the player decideds one or the other

Technically you can take a claw and a fist. But the question is why would you?
If you're taking a fist you probably want a BFG in the other hand to make sure you take some units down before you wade into CC.
If you're taking claw you want another claw so you can really ramp up the attacks and get most benefit from reroll to wound.

Lots of reasons why.

A fist lets you kill vehicles and MCs. A claw lets you kil infantry at high I with a reroll to wound.

A common build for SW is a jumppack lord with TH and Wolf Claw and EW (saga of the bear?)