Editing Vibroblade

[[File:Vibroblade TPHelm.png|thumb|right|Vibroblade]]

==Description==
A '''''Vibroblade''''' is a melee weapon used across the Inner Sphere, first introduced in [[2400]] by the [[Free Worlds League]].<ref>''TechManual'', p. 298</ref> The vibroblade is used (and most often shaped) like a conventional sword, but also includes a power pack in the hilt for a series of motor systems. When activated, the vibroblade's cutting edge oscillates at a very high speed, cutting through anything in its path.

Vibroblades are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from personal weapons to [[Experimental Technology|experimental]] BattleMech sized versions.

==Personal Vibroblades==
* ''Vibroblade'' - The vibroblade is approximately the size of a dagger or knife.<ref name=MW3Ep134>''MechWarrior, Third Edition'', p. 134</ref>
* [[Vibrosword]] - Very popular with the few people who can use it, the vibrosword is a typical cutlass, rapier, or broadsword shaped weapon.<ref name=MW3Ep134 />

===Related Weapons===
* [[Vibrokatana]] - First developed for the [[Draconis Combine]]'s [[DEST]] teams, the vibrokatana is very effective against [[battle armor]].<ref name=LTMEGp26>''LosTech: The MechWarrior Equipment Guide'', p. 26</ref>
* [[Vibroaxe]] - The vibroaxe was originally developed for utility work like logging or fire rescue. As it isn't designed for combat it imposes a -1 to hit penalty.<ref name=LTMEGp26 />
* [[Vibromace]] - The vibromace was developed in the [[Circinus Federation]] for their blood sports. Instead of using the vibrations to slice, the head of the vibromace uses them to pulverize whatever it hits. The cruder manufacturing capability of the Federation result in a -1 to hit penalty.<ref>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 184</ref>

===Related Equipment===
* [[Vibro Lock Pick Kit]] - A usual tool amongst intelligence personnel, which utilizes a just 7.5 cm blade to cut through locks instead of picking them.<ref>''Technical Readout: 2750'', p. 160</ref>

==BattleMech Vibroblades ==
The BattleMech Vibroblade was developed by [[Draconis Combine]] engineers in [[3059]] but didn't reach the deployment until [[3065]].<ref name=TOp292>''Tactical Operations'', p. 292</ref> Using their [[Sword]] as a foundation, they were able to incorporate the same technology that makes the personal vibroblade and vibrokatana so effective. Unlike the standard Sword the BattleMech vibroblade comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. When unpowered, the vibroblade acts as a standard 'Mech sized sword. When the pilot activates the vibroblade, and successfully attacks an opponent, the cutting edge slices even deeper into the target, inflicting more damage than a sword. The tradeoff for this increased damage is the heat generated by the vibroblade's mechanisms and the fact that an active vibroblade won't benefit from [[Triple Strength Myomer]].<ref name=TOp292 />

Though the vibroblade offers some advantages over the standard Sword, it hasn't yet been deployed in large numbers. In fact it's only been seen in the arenas of [[Solaris]] and other game worlds.<ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Gladiators'', p. 3</ref><ref name=TR3052Up162>''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 162</ref>

The amount of heat generated and damage inflicted by the vibroblade varies depending on the size of the weapon.
{|class="wikitable"
|+ [[BattleMech]] Vibroblade information
! Size !! Weight !! Heat !! Space Required !! Damage (when active) !! Damage (Inactive) !! Cost !! Battle Value
|-
|Small Vibroblade||3 || 3 || 1 critical slot||7 points|| as Sword|| 150,000 C-bills<ref name=TOpp404f>''Tactical Operations'', pp. 404–405</ref>||12<ref name=TOp383>''Tactical Operations'', p. 383</ref>
|-
|Medium Vibroblade||5 ||5 || 2 critical slots|| 10 points|| as Sword|| 400,000 C-bills<ref name=TOpp404f />||17<ref name=TOp383 />
|-
|Large Vibroblade||7 ||7 ||4 critical slots||14 points|| as Sword||750,000 C-bills<ref name=TOpp404f />||24<ref name=TOp383 />
|}

===Manufacturing===
'Mech-scale vibroblades are manufactured on the following planets:

{| class="wikitable"
! Brand
! Planet
! Company
|-
| Mithril Wyrm Experimental Vibroblade
| [[Solaris]]
| [[Silver Wyrm, Ltd.]]<ref name=TR3052Up162 />
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Vibroblade TPHelm.png|A Vibroblade
BattleMech Vibroblade.jpg|A BattleMech Vibroblade
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Experimental Technical Readout: Gladiators]]''
* ''[[Handbook: Major Periphery States]]''
* ''[[LosTech: The MechWarrior Equipment Guide]]''
* ''[[Tactical Operations]]''
* ''[[TechManual]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade]]''


[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Melee Weapons]]