This is a frequent group of separate but connected questions that I receive. It is a bit lengthy, but it consists of a number of examples for clarity.
Let's start with the rules themselves, Laws of the Night Revised (LotNRev), p167 under Puissance:
"However, the user of this incredible strength almost certainly breaks weapons that are not specially designed to stand it."
(1) So, what happens when Norman the Nosferatu (who has Puissance) picks up a normal weapon and decides to hit someone with it? The ST of the scene makes a situational call. Given the situation, he might say the weapon just breaks. He might say, make two win-only simple tests for the weapon not to break. Or he might state something else.
All of these are fine, as long as they take into account the rule in LotNRev. For example, stating that a normal weapon won't break in the combat or declaring a test which is usually won, would be not following the rule in LotNRev. Any normal weapon used with puissance should break the first time, or if not soon thereafter. The situational call from the ST on the scene should reflect this.
(2) Let's say Norman the Nosferatu picks up an improvised weapon. Once again, see above. Most characters rarely care if their improvised weapon gets ruined. Say Norman picked up a large heavy steel support column - like maybe a floor jack. The ST at the scene looks at it and makes a situational call. Perhaps he says "Ok - I will let that have +1 trait, the weapon will bid a negative trait - unwieldy - against you at all times - so you have to bid two traits and it also has the negative trait heavy. It will be pretty much useless after this fight if it goes to any length."
Do all improvised weapons have to look this way? Of course not. It is a situational call. Perhaps the next time the same character picked up a similar floor jack, the same ST at the scene decides something slightly differently based on the situation.
(3) Since using improvised weapons can be a little uncertain, Norman the Nosferatu decides to find a weapon specially designed to withstand his puissance, as the rule in LotNRev describes.
Some people are calling these "puissance-resistant", some are calling them "puissance-proof." Each time someone uses one of these terms, they ended up having to explain what it means as there is no formal definition. So, for this topic I will be using a different term, which is implied by rule in LotNRev, i.e. designed-for-puissance.
What does designed-for-puissance mean? It means that under normal use, the weapon will not break due to it's weilder using puissance with the weapon. Does that mean it will take puissance to intentionally break it, in or out of combat? Definitely not. For example, the flat of any sword, by intentional design, is going to be breakable.
Please note - the only difference in these weapons is that they are not breakable when used normally along with puissance. They have absolutely no special ability to resist being broken by any other reason.
Obviously, having certain types of weapons being designed-for-puissance is rather silly. A designed-for-puissance broken bottle, for example. A fencing saber would seem to fall in the same category as may any other weapon with the negative trait Fragile.
(4) How should a designed-for-puissance weapon be created?
These the guidelines that I am suggesting to the storytellers. I am suggesting that the DST's examine the theme and goals of the local game as whether to allow the use and creation of designed-for-puissance weapons. Please note that the presiding ST has the power to deny the entrance of any item or character that he feel inapprorpriate (see Prime.)
These types of weapons should not be common in any case. If you find that they are becoming common, please increase the difficulty.
I am recommending that a character should be able to, by focusing a signficant portion of a month on the task, produce a single such weapon a month. Going beyond that rate, will almost certainly make the items common. I would also suggest some sort test in the creation - nothing should be certain.
What would such an item take? One of three things and less of the other two. Either (1) craftsman with 6 or more in the appropriate crafts - or level 5 with specialization in designed-for-puissance or something simliar, or (2) elder level or higher potence or (3) A level 7 influence action.
For example, to make a designed-for-puissance sword, might take a level 7 Industry action to get the materials, Crafts x4 in Sword-smithng, and Vigor to forge it himself. Having Science-Metalurgy x4 likely wouldn't hurt in making sure the right materials are obtained.
Summing up, the local ST should make a situational call - and these are the guidelines I am suggesting - when it comes to the creation of designed-for-puissance weapons.
(5) I thought that weapons never broke in combat?
This question falls under our victory condition system. There are techniques and weapons designed to damage or destroy other weapons. See the "sai", or the medieval "sword breaker". Plus there are some sword combat styles. None of these are going to be common. Once again, either the players involved can agree on an outcome, or the ST at the scene can make a situational call. Breaking of weapons shouldn't be common, but is certainly possible.
Do designed-for-puissance weapons have any unusual resistance to being broken in this manner? Nope.
What about the expert disciplines Imprint and Personal Armor? Those disciplines have their own rules. Designed-for-puissance weapons are treated as normal weapons. A designed-for-puissance might be considered a well-crafted weapon when used against Flesh of Marble, but I am leaving that up to the storyteller at the scene as a suggestion.
(6) As a final example, Norman decides he wants something more. Perhaps he wants a weapon that will require puissance for someone to break it in combat. Or perhaps he wants a weapon that is designed-for-expert-potence. Ad nausem.
Anything beyond a weapon which will not fail when used normally with Puissance will be non-standard equipment and will require High approval per Prime.
(7) Any weapon merely labled as "puissant-resistant" or "puissance-proof" is actually designed-for-puissance. Why? Because if they are more than that, the RST is already tracking them on the WSIP list and will be using much more precise language in their writeup.
Brian Gates
North Central/RST
30-Aug-2000, updated 08-03-2001
This originally appeared as a post to [nc-st] on 30-Aug-2000 and has been edited slightly for both display as a webpage and updating to 5.1)
Please see the policy on puissance and weapons.