Let's Read: Traveller, 1977 Edition, Characters & Combat, page 34

Moving on to page 34, we have more things to hurt people with. Cutlass, sword, and broadsword round out the slashing bladed weapons section (sorry; old D&D habits die hard). Cutlasses are heavier than foils, but cost the same. It’s also noted, however, that the cutlass is the standard ship-board blade weapon. So, pirates. When I think of cutlasses, after all, I think of pirates. How cool is it that even in the distant future, with nuclear-powered spaceships, pirates are still running swashbuckling boarding actions with cutlasses? Captain Blood…IN SPACE!

Swords are lighter than cutlasses, at only 1 kg, but they’re pricier, at 150 Credits. They also aren’t as cool as cutlasses. I find it interesting that the sword is the ‘standard long-edged weapon,’ but the cutlass is the standard ship-board blade weapon.’ So, when you’re not pirating or defending from pirates, put the cutlass away and grab that sword instead.

Broadswords are basically two-handed swords, weighing in at a hefty 2.5 kg and costing twice as much as a regular sword. It’s the largest of the stabbing weapons.

Polearms. Dear God, Gygax is everywhere! Polearms?! Spears? Pikes? Halberds?! And the bayonet. And…that’s it for polearms. Whew! I was worried we’d get stats for a Bohemian ear-spoon or something. Alright, bayonets are either daggers or blades when used alone, or polearms when attached to a rifle. Ah, Jamie has Rifle and Blade skill, so I can have him carry a bayonet along with it. It’s not heavy, so that should be fine.

Spears are three meters long and weigh up to 3 kg. They’re really cheap, as cheap as a dagger. Oh, and you can make your own. Pikes…we all know what pikes are, right? No, not the fish. Even longer than a spear, and about the same weight. Halberds are the fanciest polearm option, as both an axe and a spear.

And lastly, we have the cudgel. You can grab a big stick, or just use your trusty rifle instead. Not a laser weapon, though; they’re fragile. If you really feel like buying one, they’re 10 Credits.

Next page: Guns! Shoot things from far away and hope they can’t shoot back! But first, a word that gun laws show up in book 3, which might make it more difficult to actually carry a gun. But just in case, let's figure out how they work.