On the topic of two-handed swords, the Veteran also has a potential option which we forgot to our peril - the Waller Pattern Mk.VI Power Longsword.
As mentioned on the screenshot, it requires both hands to wield the sword effectively, so I’d imagine the attack speed to be a bit slower than the regular Power Sword, but that’s up for debate.
Suggested attack profile is as follows:
L1-L2-L3-L4 / Vanguard-Vanguard-Vanguard-Vanguard / horizontal-horizontal-diagonal-diagonal
H1-H2 / Strikedown-Strikedown / overhead-overhead
Push attack - thrust
Sprint light attack - diagonal sweep
Sprint heavy attack - overhead strike
Special - power-up with a heat gauge, similar to the Relic Blade
Source: Dark Heresy - Inquisitorial Handbook, p.180
I don’t think anyone would play the relic blade happily without thy wrath be swift. Such a slow weapon with moderate cleave resetting attacks on every chaff enemy attack seems like a total pain
I don’t believe getting your attacks interrupted is the same as getting stunned. Thy Wrath Be Swift specifically protects the player from getting stunned, as in when toughness breaks from a melee attack or, say, a gunner
Long swords doesn’t need to be slow. I think this would work better as a faster horde-clear weapon with some anti-armor capabilities.
I like the vanguard light and strikedown heavy, but sprint attack could be switched (heavy for sweep and light for quick overhead). Low cleave on non activated strikes and high cleave while active. Balanced so when activated it’s better against horde/density than HS/Claw when active. Could be fun.
If FS wants to mix it up they can introduce some pattern difference in active vs. non-active attacks. So when not activated lights are also bit more single target orientated, maybe some diagonal strikes instead of side-to-side vanguard attacks.
I know it’s probably too ridiculous for sci fi swords, but I’d be overjoyed if we ever got half-swording attacks or special half-swording stance, especially the murder-stroke as a heavy for any 2 handed sword.
Armor capacity on a sword goes directly against the current balancing, see heavy sword/devil’s claw. So the armor piercing capacity would have to be on activation. Besides that seems legit
I use it for Thunderhammer or evicerator. But with relic blade, I don’t feel it necessary.
Yes I use the +10% attack speed and, as usual, I orientated it critical. So, I also use fury the faithful and invocation of death.
Fury the faithful gives you +20% melee attack speed.
As said by @Gideon404 the light swings can help also. But it works also with the mark II.
In fact, you usually will want to start with the heavy horizontal, place a second one then if you chain with a light swing, it will be horizontal.
But, to be precise, with thunderhammer I use thrust. So thy wrath be swift is mandatory.
With eviscerator, I rarely use push. But with the relic blade, I use a lot push. I took, for this, +2 stamina as perk. Yes, I know what several will think, but stamina perk change how you deal with the weapon.
