Here’s a question I always took for granted in a cyberpunk world…why the love for flechette guns? I know they make a pretty iconic appearance in Neuromancer, but most flechette guns in cyberpunk style games are pretty lackluster when compared to their big brother ballistic weapons.
Here’s a question I always took for granted in a cyberpunk world…why the love for flechette guns?
Here’s a question I always took for granted in a cyberpunk world…why the love for flechette guns?
High capacity of ammo, as well as cheap ammo.
Their real popularity stems from sci-fi. Always nice to have a weapon that while deadly, will not breach the hull of your space craft.
I was just wondering that too reading through the book. Thanks Gaming Ronin I learned something today
Also they can often shred through the soft ballistic cloth that makes up a lot of cyberpunk clothing.
In another system I treat fletchette as armor piercing against soft armor yet less effective against hard plate reinforced armor. Much like Morgan Ellis said, soft ballistic armor that’s easiest to conceal is a staple of Cyberpunk fiction. Some systems are not grainy enough to truly garner a distinction between weapons.
Gaming Ronin That was my sentiment. If I were going to be carrying something during a covert situation, I would probably trust a fletcher in that case.
They’re also often described as being capable of carrying bioagents such as toxins or nerve inhibitors etc which are typically designed to work against individuals with implants.
They are also whisper-quiet.
There is another iconic appearance in Neal Stephenson’s Snow crash, with the highly experimental EM launcher Reason and its deadly depleted uranium flechettes.
“I am sure they will hear Reason”.