Rocks, Waylay, Thrown Weapon

[jpariury]

Rocks are listed as distinct from Thrown Weapons - they have different size requirements, and different rules concerning the damage they can put out. Rocks, more notably, may NOT look like a fashioned weapon. And, perhaps even more notably, are not considered a "weapon" for the purposes of Shatter/Destroy effects. (see pg 81 of the ARB)

That said, the content of what makes up a rock is not significantly distinct from a thrown weapon - they're open-cell foam with no pokey bots deemed unsafe by the local marshals, and usually covered in something.

Finally, rocks receive no weapon tag.

The description for Waylay includes the statement that it may be performed with a foam phys rep of a rock.

Is the intention to create a non-tagged and otherwise non-visible or notable difference between a rock that may be thrown vs. a rock that may be used to perform a waylay, or may a rock which is used to be thrown also be used to perform a waylay?

EDIT: Appended:

"A rock does only 1 point of damage. This damage cannot be modified. A rock cannot be used to deliver weapon skills, spells, blade effects, poisons, arcane effects, ritual magic, or monster abilities. Rocks are not considered “weapons” for Shatter or Destroy effects."

Excepting for a moment that you actually can waylay with some form of rock (as is common practice, and is indicated on p. 67, "[Waylay] is usually done with the hilt of a weapon (see below) but a foam phys rep of a rock or bludgeon can be used as well," even though it is a skill and contradicts the first quote) can you waylay for more that 1 point of damage, or are you limited to "1 Waylay" by the rock's damage cap?

 

[Polare]

This post is to inform you that your question is currently being discussed by the ARC and once some clarification has been made will be posted here. Depending on the level of clarification and discussion (and potential involvement of the Owners or other national staff, if needed) this may take time.

 

[Polare]

As noted on page 67, you can use a foam physrep of a rock or bludgeon to perform a Waylay, and Waylay gives no restrictions to needing a tagged item to add Backstab damage. No tagged weapon is necessary. An untagged, Waylay-safe physrep can be used to perform a Waylay with no issues, whether it happens to also be a thrown weapon or not.

The purpose of restricting Thrown Weapons from performing a Waylay is that (especially with various chapters experimenting with Latex thrown weapon physreps) they may not necessarily be Waylay safe. If a particular physrep is approved for Waylay by your local weapons marshal, it should be assumed that you can use it to Waylay whether it is tagged or not.

-Bryan Gregory
ARC