# Pulse bow or crossbow and some powered melee weapons?

**URL:** <https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367>\
**Category:** The Drawing Board\
**Created:** [April 9, 2015, 7:59am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367 "2015-04-09T07:59:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![vipches](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/vipches/32/1856_2.png) [@vipches](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/vipches)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 7:59am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/1 "2015-04-09T07:59:59Z")

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Considering the gun have a ap bullet or something advanced weapons, and throwing weapon have such EMP weapon or something

mabye is time to improve the bow and crossbow, because most arrow can’t shoot through that heavy armor like walker or the tank drone,

not to mention that power armor zombie I was talking few days ago,

so, I start thinking mabye the bow or the crossbow need it’s own futuristic weapons, I was played that game call “terraria” and there is a bow, named “pulse bow”

seem have a good armor penetration for me, as the crossbow, If anyone played “half life 2” you should know how it work,

I also have advice about the powered melee weapon, I hear someone on the The Lab - Contributions and Mods say they need a warhammer 40K mod, So here it is, the power fist(unarmed), power axe(cutting), power spear(stabbing), power warhammer(blunt)

someone take time to make those stuff working, hopeful.

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**Author:** ![troll\_from\_behind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@troll\_from\_behind](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/troll_from_behind)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 10:52am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/2 "2015-04-09T10:52:40Z")

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Maybe adding a nuke-arrow?  
That ought to solve the issue.

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**Author:** ![kevin.granade](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/kevin.granade/32/1316_2.png) [@kevin.granade](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kevin.granade)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 3:12pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/3 "2015-04-09T15:12:08Z")

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In a ‘futuristic weapons’ mod, great, just won’t be enabled by default.  
if such a mod comes together, we might move EMP grenades to it.

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**Author:** ![secretfire](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/secretfire/32/2984_2.png) [@secretfire](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/secretfire)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2015, 2:01am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/4 "2015-04-11T02:01:30Z")

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EMP grenades are actually not really that crazy, --much to my surprise-- as someone with a physics degree. I can’t find any information about it on the internet now, but I am 100% entirely positive that the military has tested backpack-sized emp stuff. It doesn’t affect anything with military hardening (so robots would be unaffected) and has a very small range, of about a block. They were first used in the Iraq war. I don’t know why I can’t find anything about them on the internet now. (then again, HEMP (high altitude electromagnetic pulse) stuff has been basically purged from the internet, too, so I mean I guess I understand, especially in this day and age.) I mean, honestly, I can’t see them working for any -useful- purpose, but there’s just enough give that its not in the entirely fantasy realm, especially in the future. I certainly can’t see them being regular issue as the military wouldn’t have any domestic use for them in any circumstance I can conceive of. But you know, grain of salt. And it might be better from a gameplay point of view to move that stuff to a mod anyways since nothing is lost and makes the game more customizable.

That being said, no opinion on the above ideas, just commenting on the grenades due to geekyness…

EDIT: This is relevant. Not arguing for its implementation, and I reaalllly doubt it’ll ever sell in the US as it breaks a host of FCC regulations and would require better aiming or a lot more power to be practical then what they are claiming… buuuut: [http://gizmodo.com/5454295/this-emp-cannon-stops-cars-almost-instantly](http://gizmodo.com/5454295/this-emp-cannon-stops-cars-almost-instantly)

Edit 2: Though, you know…I’m suddenly getting ideas for enemies that would be reaaalllly annoying to people in invincible unstoppable death-machines…that happen to be speeding…

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**Author:** ![Chezzo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/chezzo/32/429_2.png) [@Chezzo](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Chezzo)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2015, 12:18pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/5 "2015-04-11T12:18:12Z")

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You can make an emp grenade in real life by coiling wire around an explosive.

> **[How E-Bombs Work](https://science.howstuffworks.com/e-bomb3.htm)**
>
> The U.S. could have a new high-tech electromagnetic weapon in its arsenal, and terrorists might be building their own low-tech versions. Find out how these weapons could tear apart modern technology.

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**Author:** ![kevin.granade](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/kevin.granade/32/1316_2.png) [@kevin.granade](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kevin.granade)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/6 "2015-04-12T18:44:05Z")

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While EMP pulse weapons are somewhat well-understood and in practical use, a _handheld_ device capable of emitting a burst capable of damaging nearby electrical systems is still firmly in the realm of sci-fi.  
I could see putting backpack-sized single- or limited-use EMP devices in the game as a “current technology” type thing, but grenades are still quite a stretch.  
As for the e-bomb, it requires the explosive and winding to be very carefully tuned to each other, and even so it doesn’t “generate” an EMP as much as compress an existing field into a short pulse. As such a grenade-sized device would still have a great deal of trouble reaching the signal strength you need to damage electronics.

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**Author:** ![Bumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bumpkin](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Bumpkin)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/7 "2015-04-13T23:13:36Z")

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> [@vipches](#):
>
> the power fist(unarmed), power axe(cutting), power spear(stabbing), power warhammer(blunt)

What would these things be and how are they supposed to work? I mean, I understand that they’re more powerful versions of regular weapons and require a power source to run, but what exactly is the power source supposed to be doing to make them more powerful?

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**Author:** ![Valpo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valpo/32/341_2.png) [@Valpo](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valpo)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/8 "2015-04-13T23:17:29Z")

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It infuses it with the wrath of the emperor of course when you push the on rune.

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**Author:** ![Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Coyote](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Coyote)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 1:35am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/9 "2015-04-14T01:35:15Z")

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To play devil’s advocate, I could see a spear with a head designed to shake violently after you stab something. Not sure that’d actually do that much more damage with current power sources.

Alternately a pneumatic spearhead?

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**Author:** ![kevin.granade](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/kevin.granade/32/1316_2.png) [@kevin.granade](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kevin.granade)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/10 "2015-04-14T03:45:11Z")

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For something that actually exists, look up “powerhead spear”, which is a real thing and would be super useful.  
Basically it’s a knife or spear with a tube that opens at the tip, when triggered after stabbing something, it injects high-pressure gas (usually CO2) into the wound, causing massive tissue damage.

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**Author:** ![Bumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bumpkin](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Bumpkin)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 6:48am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/11 "2015-04-14T06:48:30Z")

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[quote=“Kevin Granade, post:10, topic:9367”]For something that actually exists, look up “powerhead spear”, which is a real thing and would be super useful.  
Basically it’s a knife or spear with a tube that opens at the tip, when triggered after stabbing something, it injects high-pressure gas (usually CO2) into the wound, causing massive tissue damage.[/quote]

I looked it up and it seems it’s more commonly a bullet-firing spear in .357 or 12ga. The high-pressure gas one would be extremely cool though ; maybe we could start seeing a use for oxygen tanks.

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**Author:** ![kevin.granade](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/kevin.granade/32/1316_2.png) [@kevin.granade](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kevin.granade)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 7:57am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/12 "2015-04-14T07:57:44Z")

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Whoops, you’re right I got the name mixed up, I meant… [http://www.waspknife.com/](http://www.waspknife.com/)

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**Author:** ![Bumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bumpkin](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Bumpkin)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/13 "2015-04-14T22:36:39Z")

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Personally I’d love to see them both added into the game, perhaps powerhead arrows/javelins as well. One of those spetznaz-style knives that uses CO2 to fire the blade as a projectile could be cool as well.

Still not sure what kind of practical futuristic/powered enhancements could be made to an axe, gauntlet or hammer, though.

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**Author:** ![SgtStens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@SgtStens](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/SgtStens)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2015, 7:49am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/14 "2015-04-15T07:49:38Z")

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I don’t see why you couldn’t integrate a taser with a melee weapon, thereby adding additional stun capability.

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**Author:** ![kevin.granade](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/kevin.granade/32/1316_2.png) [@kevin.granade](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kevin.granade)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/15 "2015-04-21T16:32:58Z")

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The ‘power fist’ or ‘power axe’ etc are probably from warhammer 40K, which means they have a ‘disruption field’ around them that does damage at and near their impact site. How that actually works is never explained as far as I know. I’m pretty sure the rationale is that WH40K grew out of warhammer, a fantasy system, and they wanted magic swords in the SciFi setting too.

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**Author:** ![Valpo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valpo/32/341_2.png) [@Valpo](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valpo)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/16 "2015-04-21T16:57:59Z")

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41 millenium … technology sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable to magic anyway. Probably not in the cata timeframe.

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**Author:** ![The\_Lone\_Badger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/the_lone_badger/32/8063_2.png) [@The\_Lone\_Badger](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/The_Lone_Badger)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 11:25am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/17 "2015-04-23T11:25:57Z")

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The only way I can think of to have a powered, armour-piercing archery weapon would be some kind of multi-limbed steel crossbow with a ludicrously excessive draw weight such that the only way to load it is with an electric motor driving a hydraulic piston.  
It would work like the Charge Rifle - when you press ‘fire’ the first time it starts drawing UPS power to draw the arms back, and when you press ‘f’ again it fires an all-steel bolt at excessive velocity. Longer charging gives greater punch (up to a maximum), but don’t leave it under maximum strain for too long or you risk the arms shattering and riddling you with steel shrapnel.

For even more armour-piercing use a CVD machine to make diamond-tipped bolts for it.

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**Author:** ![troll\_from\_behind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@troll\_from\_behind](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/troll_from_behind)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/18 "2015-04-23T14:18:06Z")

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Maybe they add afterburners into arrows in not so distant future to increase the speed?

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**Author:** ![The\_Lone\_Badger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/the_lone_badger/32/8063_2.png) [@The\_Lone\_Badger](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/The_Lone_Badger)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2015, 10:56am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/19 "2015-04-27T10:56:18Z")

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There’s enough technobabble in cataclysm already that Raiden’s ‘High-Frequency Blade’ wouldn’t be too far out of place. Probably in a mod.

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**Author:** ![Wally-kun](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/wally-kun/32/375_2.png) [@Wally-kun](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Wally-kun)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/pulse-bow-or-crossbow-and-some-powered-melee-weapons/9367/20 "2015-04-28T02:18:23Z")

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Pneumatic weapons seem like they’d be pretty effective. It would operate somewhat using the same mechanics to have a suit of armor amplify your strength; build upon the forces being acted upon it - slam a hammer into something and the hammer itself activates a mechanism that delivers the force by a magnitude of some odd amount. Magnifies its own impact force. Probably uses electromagnets, or some sort of hydrolic system. Or both.

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