Wraith: The Oblivion Revised - Weapons &

Armor Addendum
by J. Edward Tremlett (reggies_ghost@hotmail.com)
Summary: "In conjunction with the Wraith: The Oblivion Revised Edition rules for combat, we’ve
followed the changes made to various weapons and applied it to Wraith."
This article originally appeared on Ex Libris Nocturnis at the URL:
http://www.nocturnis.net/articles/wraith/default/2000/June/149/page1.html
In conjunction with the Wraith: The Oblivion Revised Edition rules for combat, we’ve followed the
changes made to various weapons and applied it to Wraith.
What this means, overall, is that most melee weapons now have the same Difficulty number, and don’t
do as much damage as they used to. We’re also choosing to go with the armor system shown in the
Vampire Storytellers’ Companion (VSC), where different kinds of armor now provide different
numbers of soak dice for different types of damage.
The VSC comes with the Storyteller’s Screen. It’s also a good, common-sense book in its own right,
and the information in it on weapons and the like could be beneficial for any system. The Screen is
also a real timesaver if you’re going to play Vampire: The Masquerade.
This article also gives the Background values for different kinds of weapons and armor, since they
must be taken as Artifacts or Relics by Wraiths. What is given below are the base values: be sure to
check the (link to Grave Goods) Grave Goods (/link) article on Relics and Artifacts for guidelines on
materials, special abilities, points cost and the like.
It bears saying and repeating: this article is a resource for Wraith Storytellers, and should not be
mistaken for a shopping list by their players. Just because it gives Background costs for things does not
mean a Wraith is entirely justified in taking them as Backgrounds. Such matters should be well-
considered during the character creation process.
Weapons
Melee Weapons
The Melee Weapons table on pg. 260 of Wraith: The Oblivion 2nd ed (W:TO) should be ignored in
favor of what’s in the VSC, pp 56 - 58. Be sure to pay attention to Minimum Strength, Damage Type
and Concealment. The base background values for these, as Relics or Artifacts, are as follows:
Small Clubs: 1
Large Clubs: 2
Staves: 2
Knives: 1
Foils and Rapiers: 2
Sabres, Katanas and Scimitars: 2
Broadswords and Longswords: 3
Two-Handed Swords: 3
The Gladius (pl. Gladii), which is a mainstay of Hierarchy forces, is a bit of an odd weapon. Its stats
are as follows:
Dam: Str + 3 (lethal). Conceal: Trenchcoat. Min STR: 2. Background points 3
Note that these values are for Artifact Gladii. The Gladii that the Roman Empire made such good use
of were short, light bladed swords with sharp points. They were not designed for swinging or hacking:
they were made for quick, precise and puncturing stabs while fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with a
sword in one hand and a large shield in the other. The Legionnaires would advance in a tight wall of
shields, whittling their enemies down one thrust at a time.
Of course, stab wounds aren’t as bad when you aren’t in any danger of having a vital organ pierced or
bleeding to death. If your opponent can’t be crippled by pain, blood loss or a stab to the liver, the only
way to vanquish him in combat is to hack him apart until he either falls in a jumbled heap of limbs or
discorporates. As a result, the Artifact Gladii made by the Hierarchy for its Legionnaires’ use is a
much heavier weapon that IS made for swinging.
Any actual, Relic Gladii that came though would be a step between a large knife and a rapier, doing Str
+ 2 Lethal damage, requiring a STR of 1 to use and worth 2 Background points. Most of these have
doubtless faded by now, though the occasional museum piece might slide through the Shroud now and
again.
Miscellaneous Weapons
Use what’s on pp 57 - 58 of the VSC. The Background values are as follows.
Brass Knuckles & Sap Gloves: 1
Whips & Chains: 2
Thrown Weapons:
Use what’s listed in the VSC on page 58. The background points are as follows:
Darts and Shuriken: 1 each
Knives and Hatchets: 1 each
Spears: 2 (If the spear is used with an atlatl, the atlatl is a separate, 1 pt. artifact or relic)
Also remember that knives made for hand-to-hand combat and knives made for throwing are two
different animals. The difference between them is spelled out in the VSC on page 58.
Archery
The rules and stats are in the VSC on pp 58 - 59. The background points are given below, and note that
each arrow or bolt is a separate 1 pt. Relic or Artifact. Most bows are relics, as the secret to making
Artifact bows has either been lost or conveniently mislaid.
Shortbow: 2
Longbow: 3
Small Compound Bow: 2
Large Compound Bow: 3
Crossbow: 2
Firearms
The Relic Firearms Chart found on page 261 of W:TO, and reproduced on the Wraith Storyteller’s
Screen, is still valid in terms of Damage, Range, Rate, Clip, Concealment and Pathos Use. However:
note that the Difficulty for all firearm attacks is now 6. Also note that the Crossbow is covered under
Archery, above.
The Majority of Firearms will be 3 background points, with more recent and complicated weapons
being worth 4. Of course, without relic bullets these are just fancy paperweights; each bullet is worth 1
background point, and this can get rather expensive rather quickly. This is why most Wraiths use hand
to hand weapons.
Firearms Accessories
The VSC lists a number of things that could be used in conjunction with Firearms, such as scopes and
silencers. Being fortunate enough to have a gun with actual bullets is enough of a treat for most
Wraiths, but in case anyone wants to gild the lilly, here are the Background costs and some notes. Note
that they all need Pathos to function, and if the things are attached to the gun they may be fueled with
the same Soul crystal that is affixed to the weapon itself. (see Grave Goods for more information on
Soul Crystals)
Telescopic Scopes: 3
Night Vision Scopes: 3 (4 for Thermal Vision)
Laser Sights: 3
Silencers and Suppressors: 2
All of the scopes and sights require one point of Pathos to be placed into them for any Scene in which
they’re to be used. It’s possible to have the devices already attached to the gun and "off," but before
they can have any real use they must be Juiced.
Starlight equipment and IR Gear won’t work in total blackness in the Skinlands or Shadowlands. In the
Shadowlands, when coupled with a Wraith’s heightened senses, they have a better effect: Starlight
reduces Difficulties for darkness by 2 and IR by 3, but they still won’t reduce the darkness Difficulty
below +1.
Relic thermal goggles or scopes totally negate the effects of darkness, and work in total blackness.
Instead of a thermal image, they show a grainy picture of what’s there in the shadows, smoke or fog
(+2 Difficulty to Perception rolls to make out specific details, such as the face of the enemy or what
her t-shirt says). They also allow the Wraith using them to see through the effects of Argos 1:
Enshroud. They are, however, useless in the Tempest, as well as any Shadowlands precipitation or
Maelstrom: this means that such things aren’t usually worth a damn these days.
Laser sights work pretty much as they used to, with the difference that they WILL dazzle any
opponents who get the red beam waved in their eyes due to a Wraith’s super-attuned senses.
Unlike their Skinlands counterparts, Silencers and Suppressors will never wear out. A Silencer or
Suppressor must have a point of Pathos placed into it for each firing, but not necessarily each bullet
fired depending on what’s being used. This will get very expensive very quickly. Also remember that
some firearms cannot be silenced at all, merely suppressed: this means they still make a loud noise, but
it might not be identifiable as a gunshot.
This section of the VSC also talks about disguised weapons. If a firearm is disguised as something else,
raise its’ Background value by 1.
Armor
We’ve chosen to go with the Armor rules system that is presented in the VSC. The system seems a
little more complicated, but really isn’t, and also makes more sense and is more realistic. Storytellers
also have the option of using the old guidelines from page 262 of Wraith: The Oblivion 2nd ed. In this
case, a level’s number should be its’ points cost as a Relic or Artifact: Level one is 1 points, Level
three is 3 points and so on.
Most of the armor types presented in the VSC are the sort of things that would come through asRelics:
modern armor, kevlar vests and the like. These Relics are rare and can be pretty expensive, and, given
how most armor these days are made to withstand bullets instead of edged weapons, they’re mostly
useless in the close-quarters combat that rules the Underworld.
Also note that these values can be cumulative for body armor, but that any armor made to protect the
face and head is only good against called shots to the head, or anything that winds up hitting it. The
values from a helmet do not add dice to attacks made on the body, and vice versa.
Relic Armor
These are just the Background costs. The various soak levels, Dexterity penalties and Conceal factors,
the Minimum amount of Strength needed to wear it, as well as descriptions and other important
information, can be found in the VSC pp. 59 - 64.
Assume that these forms of armor cannot soak Aggravated Melee damage unless noted here. They
were not written with Aggravated damage in mind in the VSC, so we’ve had to add a few notations
below.
Modern Armor
Reinforced Clothing: 2
Armor t-shirt: 2
Light Ballistic Vest: 2
Medium Ballistic Vest: 2*
Flak Jacket: 2
SWAT Tactical Jacket: 2
Riot Gear: 3 (aggravated: 1) **
Bomb Disposal Suit: 3 (+1 for specially-made helmet)
Nomex Suit: 2 (+1 for gloves, +1 for ski mask) ***
Tailored Armor: Add +1 to the normal Background cost for the Relic clothing.
Archaic Armor
Composite Armor: 1 for shirt, 1 for pants
Heavy Armor: 1 for the padding, 2 for the suit (Aggravated: 1)
Full Knight’s Armor: 1 for the padding, 2 for the mail, 2 for the breastplate, 1 for each leg, 1 for each
arm (Aggravated: 1)
Helmets
Military Helmet: 1
Swat Helmet:1
Light Helm: 1
Full Helm: 2 (Aggravated: 1)
* If the Medium Ballistic Vest has trauma plates, it is a 3 point Relic. These plates cannot be removed
from the Relic for some reason. Someone could make trauma plates out of Soulsteel and insert it into
the relic: these would count as four, 1-point Artifacts.
** For ease of use, say that this includes all the components except a helmet, but that they can’t be split
up without damaging the Relic, leading to a faster rate of decay.
*** The 3 dice used for resisting fire is used to resist Soulfire, Balefire and any other sort of
Underworld flames, such as the breath of a Tindelhound.
Artifact Armor
Most Wraiths who have armor wear Artifact armor that is more suited to the sort of combat that goes
on in the Underworld. When the Hierarchy was in place, their armor was usually given to them by
their Legion for use while on duty, and any Wraith who wanted their own, or had it, either had to be
rich or fortunate.
Now that the Hierarchy is no more, and the storm is raging, such things have a scattered frequency.
They may be lying around for the picking in some places and yet extremely scarce in others. Those
who were lucky enough to survive the outbreak of the Maelstrom without going into a Harrowing
might have hung onto their things. Many were not so lucky.
Masks or Helms
ORDINARY MASKS are the sort of thing anybody could get their hands on, or had given out when
inducted into a Legion as Legionnaire or Clerk. They are usually Soulsteel, and are often made with
some sort of Legional motif. Some people have more than one mask, like the Sandman who belongs to
the Grim Legion will have his Legionnaire’s Mask and his Guild Mask. They are proof of
identification and a mark of organization, and their armor value is secondary at best. These protect the
face only. Stats are given for Soulsteel and Stygian Steel, and the background costs are 1 and 2,
respectively.
Bashing Soak: 1/2
Melee Soak: 1/2
Bullet Soak: 0/1
Aggravated Soak: 0/1
Perception Penalty: 0/0
A MASKED LEGIONNAIRE’S HELMET was the sort of thing that a Legionnaire would typically
wear while on active duty: a helmet with a Legionnaire’s mask on the front. These provide full
protection of the head, neck and face and act as a symbol of rank. They are usually Soulsteel, but the
odd Legionnaire has been known to sport a Stygian Steel model as a gift from a pleased superior. The
Background costs for Soulsteel and Stygian Steel models are 1 and 2, respectively.
Bashing Soak: 1/2
Melee Soak: 1/2
Bullet Soak: 0/1
Aggravated Soak: 0/1
Perception Penalty: 1/1
Any Hierarchy official from Centurion or Adjustor on up to Regent or Minister received a
HIERARCHY OFFICIAL’S MASK upon promotion, and surrendered the old one he or she carried to
the Legion. They were proof of identification of station -- if not always identity -- and a mark of status,
handed down through the ages. Their worth as armor was secondary at best. They protect the head,
face and neck. Stats are given for Soulsteel and Stygian Steel: Soulsteel masks are worth 1 background
point, while the Stygian Steel ones are worth 2.
Bashing Soak: 1/2
Melee Soak: 1/2
Bullet Soak: 0/1
Aggravated Soak: 0/1
Perception Penalty: 1/1
Overlords and Chancellors received OVERLORD MASKS. These special masks were either
personally created for each Overlord and Chancellor upon promotion, or came with a certain function.
Some were made in such a way that their faces moved with their wearer’s, while some remained still.
The mask itself protects the face, head and neck, and when donned a heavy, all-covering robe spools
out of the base of the mask and protects the rest of the body as well. Soulsteel models are worth 2
background points, and Stygian Steel ones are worth 3.
Bashing Soak: 2 for the mask, 3 for the robes/3 for the mask, 3 for the robes
Melee Soak: 3 for the mask, 3 for the robes/4 for the mask, 3 for the robes
Bullet Soak: 0 for the mask, 0 for the robes/1 for the mask, 0 for the robes
Aggravated Soak: 0 for the mask, 0 for the robes/1 for the mask, 0 for the robes
Perception Penalty: 1/1
Dexterity Penalty: 1/1
ANACREONS' MASKS are, perhaps, best left to the Storytellers’ imagination.
Body Armor
A CROW’S MAIL SHIRT was a typical form of armor made for low-ranking Hierarchy officers or
Legionnaires. It’s a long shirt made from thick, reinforced fabric with bits of Soulsteel sewn into it. It
offers protection for the chest, torso, groin and arms, and is worth 1 Background pt.
Bashing Soak: 1
Melee Soak: 1
Bullet Soak: 0
Aggravated Soak: 0
Dexterity Penalty: 0
BREASTPLATES were often worn over the crow’s mail on higher-ranking Hierarchy officers. It
provides protection for the chest and torso, but does cause some restriction of movement due to its
weight. It costs 3 background points for Soulsteel and 4 for Stygian Steel.
Bashing Soak: 3/5
Melee Soak: 3/5
Bullet Soak: 1/2
Aggravated Soak: 1/2
Dexterity Penalty: 1/1
STANDARD ISSUE TEMPEST ARMOR was often worn by well-equipped Tempest sailors, or elite
Legionnaires on Patrol in the Tempest who are expecting an invasion or fight. A full suit consisted of
two parts: a one-piece jumpsuit and a Soulsteel helmet. The jumpsuit is made of reinforced fabric that
has Soulsteel plating sewn into the chest, torso and groin, with Soulsteel pads on the shoulders, elbows
and knees. The back of the suit has small flaps from which Phantom Wings can sprout.
The second part is a Soulsteel helmet that resembles a wide-swept, Gladiator’s-style helmet and
protects the face, head and neck. The visor can be flipped up or down, allowing for maximum visibility
for ranged combat and maximum protection for close combat.
The background cost is 3 for the bodysuit and 1 for the helmet. The stats are given below, with the
bodysuit before the helmet
Bashing Soak: 3/2 (1 with visor up)
Melee Soak: 2/2 (1 with visor up)
Bullet Soak: 1/1 (0 with visor up)
Aggravated Soak: 1/0
Dexterity Penalty: 1/0
Perception Penalty: 0/2 (0 with visor up)
Addendums to Buried Secrets:
A Soulfire Mask (page 14) should be a Level 3 Artifact. They are made of Stygian Steel and have as
much protection as a Masked Legionnaire’s Helmet made from that substance.
The Stygian Steel Armor listed on page 12 should be ignored. For a Suit of Stygian Steel plate, use the
soak stats for the Breastplate, above. The Breastplate’s background value will be 4, each arm will be 2,
each leg will be 2, and the helmet will be as the masked helmet of Stygian Steel for 2. The whole thing
will have a Dexterity Penalty of 3 due to the weight, and will require a minimum Strength of 3 to field.