Serrated edges

[thomcat]

Just read about a jagged-edge weapon that would cause extra damage.  A disadvantage mentioned was that this weapon catches in the wound, causing difficulty freeing it for the next swing.

In your opinions, would this be best modeled with a ST roll?
Or a (the perfect catch-all) Terrain roll?
Or an activation cost (depending on wound level, for instance)?

A similar question could be asked about long piercing weapons.  What if my spear goes all the way *through* my opponent, for example.

(yes, I realize these might be more "TFOB already answers this" questions...)

[Malechi]

hrmm... after having just been witness to the most insane two-hour lecture on Blunt and Sharp Force Injuries in my Forensics unit my initial opinion on serrated things causing "more damage" would be somewhat in the negative.  If there's someone more learned than I, please pipe up now so I don't make a fool of myself.  The factors that determine "lethal potential" or "wounding potential" have more to do with depth, force and location of attack than the type of weapon used.  If anything serrations would limit the scope of a cut (defined as a penetrating wound longer than it is deep) as it would decrease the linear kinetic energy.. blah blah blah

I'd handle any "freeing of weapon" rolls with Terrain..

Your point about "what if my spear goes all the way through" is pretty much covered by the wound level you achieve with a successful hit I think..

jason k.

[Ingenious]

The same case can be pointed out in the case of a flamberge, or a kris style sword. (whichever term you wish to call it, a spade is a spade is a spade..)
These wavy style blades make no difference in created a more lethal wound upon thrusting into someone. However, were it to get progressively larger.. it would act like any normal tapered stabbing weapon.. the deeper the thrust the larger the wound.
A serrated edge in chopping doing more damage? Not likely. In a sawing-motion.. yes. But how often do you really get the chance to attempt to saw someone's arm off in mid-combat.. seriously.

OR, if we were to get more into the fantasy side of the issue.. one could use a serrated edged sword like a katana.. making an initial hack and then drawing out the cut like a razor blade.. except the weapon we're talking about acts more like a saw than a razor blade..

I would also agree with Mal about the terrain roll solving stuck weapons... this has happened before in a session I was particpating in.. using the over-damage rules a cut with a sword hit a guy's clavicle.. continued on through to his rib-cage.. and got stuck. (over-damage being anything over a level 5 wound passing through to the nearest hit location zone.. but isnt so useful for thrusts..reiterated for those of you whom do not know/are new to the forum and dont know about it)
The terrain roll can cover anything from putting your foot on someone's chest and pushing with that leg while pulling out your spear(assuming the target is dead..), to doing the same with a sword, or trying to dislodge the saw-esque sword getting stuck in someone's anatomy.

Though one caveat, if this serrated edged weapon is used like a katana.. if the teeth cut against the grain.. it will get stuck alot more often.. and with that in mind, the myriad of different serrated patterns can help you determind what will get stuck more often and what wont. I discovered most of this information while I was cutting some nomex sandwiched between kevlar and carbon fiber... had the teeth been backwards.. it would have seriously fucked up my project.. not to mention the bandsaw. Also, serrated edges work for SHIT against metal armor.. of any kind. If you're trying to hack at metal with a serrated edge, prepare yourself for alot of bent teeth.. which will also increase the chances of the thing getting stuck the next time you try and slice with it.
Also, one might increase the kerf of the teeth so that it makes a wider cut than the actual tickness of the sword/weapon/whatever it is... and also the pitch of the teeth play a part of it as well.

Other than that, I am out of valid points to make. Also invalid ones.
-Ingenious
I still think I know too much..

[Lance D. Allen]

Perhaps a new maneuver: Draw cut. Damage is 1 lower than normal, activation cost of 1. If successful, add X to the bleeding score.

Dunno what X would be, but that's about the only effectiveness I can think of for serrated edges, increased bleeding.

[Richard_Strey]

I'd call BS on any attempted draw-cut against armor... that aside, I don't refute the utility of a serrated edge. I've seen and used too many steak-knives for that. :)
However, there are two things that would keep me from picking this up as a rule:
a) The relative difference in effect between a solid hit with three feet of straight-edged steel and serrated steel.
b) The granularity of the system.

Regarding a), the difference in damage-potential that derives from proper foot work, body mechanics and edge placement (let alone the other one or two skill factors involved in fencing) is so great that I do not believe any effect due to a wobbly edge would be worth mentioning. Maybe a +1 to intimidation on a successful weapon-art roll might be in order? ;)
And b), there are only five(!) levels of damage. No way a serrated, wavy or whatever-looking edge will make *enough* of a difference to show.