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As I was writing some rules for some fluffstuff I'm doing, I began thinking about power weapons. Then I thought harder. Then I checked the Rulebook.

And lo and behold, Power weapons are about as effective against vehicles and headbutting it would be. It seems like power weapons (the lightsabers of WH40k) should have at least some increased effectiveness against vehicles. If I can make the heavy armor of a Terminator disappear, why can't I do the same to a tank or walker? Before everyone says "because that would be more overpowered than Draigo writing his name on Mortarion's heart" I say why not make PW count as also being Lance weapons or count as S8 against vehicles, or something like that? If I can chainsaw my way through a vehicle (Chainfists more powerful than a lightsaber?) I should be able to just slice through it with a power weapon.

Also, I didn't know if this should go in general or proposed rules. Hopefully I chose right, because I'm not really proposing, just asking.

Well, Power Fists are already S8 against vehicles, and they cost twice as much. If you want to hurt vehicles in Close Combat, use power fists, melta bombs, or Krak Grenades.

As for your fluff question: "If I can make the heavy armor of a Terminator disappear, why can't I do the same to a tank or walker?"

I'd say that vehicle armor is MUCH heavier and thicker than terminator armor. For you to carve your name in a Dreadnoughts hide, you'd have to stand there a while. Something the Dreadnought isn't going to let you do.

I hope that helps.

It might be because of the power weapons power source.

The power field coarsing through the sword probably cuts through different material's thickness at different 'wattage', for example;

It would take minimal power to slice through fatigues and combat webbing, but increased power to cut through bone, steel plates, and ceramite.

Ceramite is probably the toughest material a power weapon can cut through without the powersource from blowing out.

So to answer your question. a power weapon probably cannot generate enough power to cut through the thickness of the plating and would probably blowout its powersource if you tried.

Thickness and speed. You are unlikely to be able to hit anything really critical with a power weapon, you just couldn't penetrate deep enough.

And comparing them to lightsabers, lightsabers don't do so well against thick objects either, which can dissipate their heat and energy. If you hold it on there you can do damage, but it really isn't very effective anti armor. It isn't like the tank is going to just sit there and wit for you to shove through.

In game terms they don't offer enough of an advantage to be represented by different stats. They are certainly more effective, just not enough to warrant a stat change.

The benefit of power claws is they don't just cut a hole, they let you scoop out the mess and dig deaper, something your average, cutting power weapon isn't going to do.

Because vehicle armor is thicker/there are less vulnerable spots on a vehicle then there are on a terminator.

The power field doesn't provide much of an advantage when you are destroying a vehicles engine with it as opposed to just squeezing off a few bolt rounds into it.


The Power Fist is good because it makes you stronger and now you can actually rip sections of armor plating off to get at the squishy bits.

The only advantage I'd give to power weapons vs. vehicles is +1 strength or something. Vehicle smashing is power fists' domain.

To be fair, power weapons are used against vehicles in black library novels and fluff. They don't do anything to vehicles simply for tabletop game balance.

Also, a chainfist is a chainsaw strapped to a massive glove that is then wrapped in a power field. It's the best of all worlds, really.

I always thought powerweapons should have +1 against armour.

I'd say that vehicle armor is MUCH heavier and thicker than terminator armor.

No it isnt, at least not stronger fluffwise. Espacally when you compare a Sentinel with the Terminator Armour.

Its not a perfect excuse, but its the simplest.

In reality, PW would help you, but the difference isn't enough to be represented on the table top.