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It came to my mind when I was painting some chainswords. In one of the BL novels (forgot which, could be Cain or Gaunt's Ghosts) I recall a duel between a chainsword and a powersword, the powersword could not cut cleean through the chainsword. If a powersword can cut through anything due to its matter displacement fields, does that mean a chainsword can be cut clean through, making defending yourself with anything short of another powerweapon useless?

Conservationist wrote:It came to my mind when I was painting some chainswords. In one of the BL novels (forgot which, could be Cain or Gaunt's Ghosts) I recall a duel between a chainsword and a powersword, the powersword could not cut cleean through the chainsword. If a powersword can cut through anything due to its matter displacement fields, does that mean a chainsword can be cut clean through, making defending yourself with anything short of another powerweapon useless?

There's actually a rule in the Deathwatch RPG regarding power weapons being parried: the power weapon has a 50% (IIRC) chance of cutting clean through the enemy weapon, both when you're attacking with a power weapon and when parrying. Power weapons are immune to other power weapons though, although Relic weapons can cut through "normal" power weapons.

I'm pretty sure it's just something for dramatic effect. Sword fights are cool, and clashing swords are one of the coolest parts.

Especially when one of those swords is actually a weaponised chainsaw

In 40k, the average equipment is often given plot armour, such is the scale of the glory!

Conservationist wrote:It came to my mind when I was painting some chainswords. In one of the BL novels (forgot which, could be Cain or Gaunt's Ghosts) I recall a duel between a chainsword and a powersword, the powersword could not cut cleean through the chainsword. If a powersword can cut through anything due to its matter displacement fields, does that mean a chainsword can be cut clean through, making defending yourself with anything short of another powerweapon useless?

You're gonna have to cite it.

The closest I can remember is in one of the early GG novels, there's a duel between Gaunt and his 'uncle'.

But that was a duel between chainswords, not power sword v. chainsword.

Maybe he means

LastCameTheRaven wrote:Maybe he means

Spoiler:

Ezra vs the Blood Pact officer with eviscerator, at the end of Only in Death? The eviscerator Abnett describes is just a two-handed chainsword, IIRC...

Well, there is also the issue that a proper parry doesn't just meet the edge of the enemy weapon head-on, but rather deflects it to the side. You could have a stick on sword duel if the stick-wielder was capable enough.

Especially if they are a Water Dancer...

Spoiler:

Isn't it described as a very big two handed chainsword?

Anyway,

I would assume that there are specific parries to use vs power swords and some not to use. For example, you'd have to avoid any parry that requires strength to keep the blade from hitting you (eg: if the blow was coming down towards your head/neck you wouldn't be able to parry it like you normally would, holding your sword above you head horizontally, but you'd either have to step back or deflect/sweep it away.)

Note: this idea comes from my limited knowledge of sabre (slicey sword) fencing so it may not apply or may not work. It's just what I would do in the case of fighting vs power weapons [I'd step back btw]

all the powerfield does is disrupt the matter.


you still require force to do the actual cutting.


the field just gives you an extra sharp edge.


a hefty swing from a chainsword could easily bounce a power weapon out of someones hand. it isn't like a lightsabre which just goes right through everything(except other lightsabres)

Grey Templar wrote:all the powerfield does is disrupt the matter.


you still require force to do the actual cutting.


the field just gives you an extra sharp edge.


a hefty swing from a chainsword could easily bounce a power weapon out of someones hand. it isn't like a lightsabre which just goes right through everything(except other lightsabres)

I always imagined that disrupting matter causes the matter in question to part and become semi liquid by well causing the solid particles to vibrate more. Who knew.

it sort of does that.

but the disruption only occures at the point of the field. it does heat the area up slightly, but the bonds quickly reform if the field leaves.

Eviscerators in most up to date sources have them as having a power field, usually a crude one, but a power field nonetheless.

Eviserators have a weak powerfield, enough to argue that a power sword couldn't have an easy time destroying it through parry.

I believe he also fought someone with a chainsword in Only in Death as well as His Last Command. I remember the Ezra part but I distinctly remember Gaunt fighting someone with a chainsword and that person's chainsword breaking apart after a couple swings.