Questions tagged [weapons]
For questions about existing weapons or designing new ones.
6
votes
7answers
585 views
Is a sling a viable ranged weapon option for someone with poor eyesight?
I have a character who is, for lack of a better term, a Monster Hunter. She's physically fit, has a pretty high pain tolerance/is generally pretty durable, and is skilled in various forms of hand-to-...
5
votes
4answers
288 views
How difficult would it be to use scrap metal from a car to make armour or an effective short sword without using fire?
Tools available would be wire, bricks, hammers, a hack saw, a pair of compound snips, and flex glue. As well as the intact body of the car itself. Assume you find the tools inside or easily within ...
65
votes
34answers
18k views
What (modern) weapons could be used to destroy skeletal enemies as completely as possible?
As per the cliché, after getting hit by a truck, our protagonist finds herself in a 'swords and sorcery' fantasy world. Also as per the cliché, she is granted an overpowered ability to make her new ...
2
votes
5answers
197 views
Will a civilization need to make weapons if their use of magic is limitless?
OK here's the scenario.
After 1000 years, the elves were able to build a kingdom for themselves. They were given by their creator God the ability to wield unimaginable magic, magic that can shape ...
21
votes
8answers
5k views
What sort of armor would a bounty hunter wear in the medieval age?
What sort of armor would a bounty hunter wear in a fantasy based world inspired by the medieval ages (1100 A.D - 1400 A.D) that would allow him to be both protected and agile, while remaining somewhat ...
5
votes
2answers
291 views
Would chainmail stop an arrow from a longbow?
Restated in more words, would a conscripted pikeman with a decent set of chainmail but no shield have any hope against an arrow from your basic english longbow?
0
votes
1answer
102 views
How practical is a Scythe? [closed]
In the story I am creating, I want to have the MC gain a shape-shifting scythe that can change sizes from a keychain to a massive 8-foot scythe. The scythe takes shape into a weapon most ideal for the ...
24
votes
12answers
9k views
Why Laser “Guns”? [closed]
We all love laser guns (which are usually plasma weaponry) but why guns? It's not like we need the long barrel for making it more accurate or the stock to control recoil. So why guns and why not ...
8
votes
7answers
2k views
Is it possible to prevent a gun from firing by blocking the mechanism with your hand? [closed]
Suppose that someone is pointing a gun right at you.
He's not really convinced about shooting, so you talk and manage to get very close.
You keep talking and you can actually put a hand on the gun, ...
9
votes
6answers
977 views
What's a good way to classify railguns?
Most weapons and artillery are split by bore diameter, e.g. naval rifles of 203mm, 406mm etc.
Railguns and coilguns probably won't be classified the same way, I think. Cause if multiple models use a ...
5
votes
6answers
760 views
Material for weapons and tools in a magnetic field
What material for weapons and tools would a tribal/medieval society use if there was a magnetic field preventing the use of iron? The iron would be attracted by the ground, obviously. It can`t be used ...
2
votes
2answers
94 views
Fighting by human cannonball - medieval kamikaze (part 1 - steering)
Kamikaze pilots were a part of the Japanese Special Attack Units of
military aviators who initiated suicide attacks for the Empire of
Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of ...
25
votes
11answers
6k views
How do I scientifically explain a specific type of wood piercing through armor when not even bullets can?
I've created a monster with three weaknesses:
A soft spot in his belly that can be pierced through normally with objects, but the monster is so big and fast that hitting it is extremely hard and ...
31
votes
15answers
4k views
What kind of weapons would a much smaller species use to fight humans
I have a group of pixies fighting a group of humans. The pixies are about 4-6 inch tall humanoids, which seems like it puts them at a big disadvantage unless they seriously outnumber the humans, or ...
11
votes
9answers
3k views
Feasibility of an endothermic gun
I had the idea of a "void weapon", which would "generate cold" rather than heat on triggering. All the air from the chamber would be sucked out (thus "creating cold") and on firing, it would open the ...
1
vote
0answers
109 views
How big could a cannon be made [closed]
what is the absolute upper bound on the size of gunpowder cannons, (not rail guns or similar) in terms of shell weight and bore diameter before some mechanical or material problem prevents it from ...
3
votes
5answers
463 views
Usability of frictionless bullets
An inventor, inspired by hydrophobic sprays, has created a spray that temporarily removes the friction of whatever it's coated on. Curiously, he decided to coat a 10mm Auto cartridge with it. With ...
2
votes
4answers
183 views
Metal “Claws” Vs. Regular Claws
My species of aliens happen to have hook shaped claws on their main climbing limbs, these they will sometimes use for combat. However, I was wondering, would a metal "cover" over them, that's ...
7
votes
13answers
4k views
Could machine guns be produced in the 14th century? [duplicate]
Could light machine guns such as the Madsen be made during the 14th century? And since materials may be scarce only a few would be produced for use by a single soldier in a unit. Lets say their ...
-1
votes
5answers
207 views
Is a face liquefier a possible weapon?
So, say I’m a evil dictator who wants to create fear in the hearts of rebels. Usually, I just cover them in pitch, light them ablaze and throw them down the nearest canyon, but I want to try something ...
22
votes
11answers
6k views
How long would it take to nuke an alien spaceship in orbit?
Some gigantic, and presumably evil, alien spaceship has taken up residence in LEO. This spacecraft is ominously blocking all satellite communications, and launching smaller flying saucers towards the ...
3
votes
5answers
200 views
Would it be possible to use chlorine trifluoride as the payload of an artillery shell?
Let's assume that a country with technology at about the same level as Germany in the early 1930s wants to weaponize ClF3.
Would they be able to use them it as the payload of artillery shells? What ...
4
votes
6answers
373 views
Sentient trees. Can they develop technology?
Flying insects are the only moving animals in this world - they take care of pollination.
Adult trees (over 10 years old) are rooted to the spot with very wide-spreading root systems. Trying to ...
-1
votes
1answer
140 views
Disposable harmonica gun cartridge?
Would it be possible to make a harmonica gun in which the "magazine" is lightweight, easily made, and disposable? Preferably with the technology of the 1800s or earlier.
3
votes
6answers
256 views
How to fight against Lion People?
In the story I would like to write, humans temporarily fight a race of lion people.
In the story, there are two sides. Standing Alliance and the Animal Alliance (it sounds dumb, but I haven't come up ...
10
votes
11answers
482 views
How to correct aim in aerial airship combat?
Report! Correct aim 2-20 fore, figure in enemy speed at negative 15 knots relative decelerating. Ready? Fire in Sequence on my mark... MARK!
LCDR Arnold Dering, Commander of the "X"-Turret, GKS-B-...
3
votes
8answers
2k views
What melee weapon should winged humans use? [duplicate]
So currently in my fantasy universe 2 races are at war, the Anglar and the Darus.
Info:
Anglar: winged humans (basically Angels without holy powers).
Darus: lizard people, they used to have wings ...
7
votes
4answers
571 views
Could a hand grenade be effective against a band of medieval knights?
So, a group of people have just been transported back to early 14th century England, and have angered a band of noble knights. Their armor looks like this.
One of my characters, Tim, received a hand ...
38
votes
13answers
10k views
How advantageous is an invisible sword?
An adventurer has come into possession of an invisible sword. How advantageous in a duel or skirmish would this be? Good for a one-time trick, a significant advantage throughout a fight, or even a ...
6
votes
2answers
170 views
How would lower gravity influence Bronze Age projectile weaponry?
How would lower gravity, let’s say around ½ of Earth’s, change the efficacy of different Bronze Age projectile weapons? How would the effective range, accuracy, and penetrating power of bows, javelins,...
1
vote
4answers
235 views
How would a medieval army conquer a treetop city?
In my book series, an evil space conqueror named Tate is attacking the planet of Aztlan. However, in order to do so, he must subjugate the Avian tribe and their capital city of Palo Alto. However, ...
33
votes
10answers
7k views
What would the proper shooting stance be for a recoil-free arm cannon?
Quick summary: it’s the modern day, and everyone can use magic. Some of that magic is of the variety that lets you launch energy blasts from your fists, similar to a Mega Man style arm cannon. You ...
-4
votes
4answers
440 views
Could your hand stop an arrow from hitting you? [closed]
Question: Would an unarmoured hand stop an arrow shot from a bow
Story Details:
I was doing my usual scouting route along the Great Divide, when I chanced upon a Sun Empire's camp on the other side....
3
votes
3answers
311 views
Other metal alloys as armor/weapons
We know of the metal iron, and alloys bronze and steel, used as armor and weaponry in the Medieval ages.
Is there another metal alloy that could be used for armor or weapons in the Medieval era?
6
votes
7answers
556 views
Bolas + Explosives + Magnets: Fun or Failure?
I have a character who bills himself as an explosives experimenter. He wants to try something new with explosives.
He knows how to make a bolas and has the materials to make one. However, he has this ...
1
vote
3answers
257 views
Plasma Blades vs. Bullets
As far as fiction is concerned, plasma weapons look better than modern-day metal weapons. However, I'm curious about their functionality in reality as depicted in fiction.
What mechanism will allow a ...
7
votes
8answers
369 views
High tech underwater weapon
Assume soldiers of the future need to fight person to person underwater, at depths from 30 to unachievable today, like 1-2 kilometer.
Today, underwater warfare between scuba divers, involves ...
3
votes
3answers
273 views
100% mechanical plasma rifle
Unlike most modern electronic weapons, the functionality of fully-mechanical rifles are complemented by their durability. They can be used without authorization, electricity, or calamity-proofing.
...
33
votes
20answers
9k views
What projectile weapon can replace a bow under the following circumstances?
I have a race of elf-like humanoids that live in a forest. One of their best methods of travel is what you may call "forest running". They are attuned to the harmonic movement of the forest from a ...
5
votes
4answers
207 views
Short-term Miniature black hole weapon and its effects
So in this world I'm building there's a bunch of reasons to, at some point, stop being nice and make sure someone is really, really dead. For this purpose they decided to weaponize black holes. ...
2
votes
2answers
127 views
Process to aim the main gun on a modern battle tank [closed]
What is the exact, or a typical process, to aim the main gun on a modern battle tank? What are the individual steps and who does the work (a gunner? loader? computer? commander?)? How does the actual ...
5
votes
3answers
302 views
How do I power Goldeneye?
I've been spending some time thinking about putting a satellite weapon into space.
It would look something like this. Don't worry about those letters, they stand for something else.
This weapon can ...
2
votes
8answers
316 views
How to make a rocket-boosted sledgehammer that won't break the users' arm?
Even though GURPS, so far, is my best shot at coming up with sci-fi melee weapons, this one's tricky.
The rocket-boosted sledgehammer differs from the standard tool by having a thruster on the back ...
3
votes
2answers
153 views
How many shots would it take to sever a limb? [closed]
Modern (or near future, 10-20 years) setting. Mostly regular humans. Regular firearms.
The scene goes like this: the Big Bad Villain of the story fought the Big Good Hero in hand-to-hand combat and ...
1
vote
2answers
70 views
How to build and run a Skunk Works to weaponize magic flying ships [closed]
My kingdom has developed a new flying ship powered by a new air-magic engine. As near as my scholars and engineers are able to tell, it's the first of its kind. Three working prototypes ply the skies ...
8
votes
3answers
516 views
Compact Arm Gun Prosthetic?
In the DC universe, there exists a hero known as Sister Superior with prosthetic arms that are capable of turning into any weapon she desires. Interestingly, her arms look no different from a regular ...
4
votes
5answers
270 views
What is a way I can use to store weapons?
I need to carry large weapons but I also need to be able to hide them when I'm not using them, then make them reappear when needed. The setting is pretty realistic.
The weapons are quite huge: a ...
1
vote
5answers
335 views
How can a scythe be used for mass assassinations? [closed]
I want a scythe to be used for a mass murder, far-range combat, & close-range combat, and I need it to be large to create fear in opponents.
Although the massive scythes shown in anime can be ...
0
votes
4answers
338 views
The opposite of lightning or force used as a weapon, what could it be? [closed]
WHAT IS THE OPPOSITE OF LIGHTNING?
If there was a sword that controls lighting, what would its elemental opposite be?
The idea is that one is positive and one is negative. One pulls electricity from ...
0
votes
1answer
169 views
How big can my tank be? [duplicate]
In an alternate 1950s cold war, the Soviet Union and the United States (and their NATO and Warsaw pact allies) are locked in an arms race not unlike our own. What's the difference you ask? Instead of ...
