The POWER CLAW of warhammer 40k and more! Pop-culture weapons analysed

[@themaster1dcp]

I think that the jaws of life are a great example of intent of power klaws. Being able to lock down and crush/cut through very sturdy stuff like vehicles and powered armor

[@Maninawig]

I think Hacksmith Industries did this

[@jonathanpuccetti9258]

For sure. The only limitations you would need to account for are speed and weight. I think for speed, you could have the hydraulics to open the claw, then heavy springs to snap it back closed on command. It would be slow to "reload" but probably very effective. That way it would be more effective against biological enemies, while the traditional style would be better against fixed things like weapon hardpoints.

[@chickenistrexlastname1331]

The russian jaws of life uses .22 cal bullet to power the cut or snap of the jaws.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

The Astartes Powerfist has a similiar purpose, the Astartes lightning claw however is more as if Logan "Wolverine" had half length lightsabers instead of adamantium claws.

[@BOYVIRGO666]

@@SonsOfLorgar Some lightning claws are built similar to the ork ones.

[@Crazael]

The power claw is such a fantastic 40k weapon. Like the Chainsword, it is a perfect encapsulation of the core idea behind Warhammer. "Cool, brutal, and over the top".

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Yup, it's like lightsabers for claws

[@MoriShep]

you left out HORRIFYING, bleek and the sound track of DOOM

[@spiffygonzales5899]

The Galactic Empire is stronger than the Imperium of Man.

[@Turamwdd]

@@spiffygonzales5899 The galactic empire was overthrown by a few dozen humans and teddy bears.....

[@aurelius_varro]

@@spiffygonzales5899 the galactic empire will miss even when shooting itself in the mouth. Somehow. I'm sure they'll manage

[@rustkarl]

I think Ork Klaws function more like shears than claws really. They’re like a set of hydraulic scissors used by an oversized hooligan who makes his LARP gear out of washing machines and engine blocks.

[@dionjaywoollaston1349]

Commissar yarrick

[@Da_Shark]

best description of orks I've ever seen

[@QwertyBoredom122]

All Ork "technology" literally functions on space magic and the fact that Orks are physically too stupid to think it won't, trying to apply any form of "reason" to how that shit works is about as productive as trying to teach a red about economics.

[@_NutcasE_]

Theres also the factor that all ork shit basicly functions by power of imagination. A hammer can be a gun if enough orks believe it.

[@rustkarl]

@@_NutcasE_ Myes. Red wunz go fasta. Yellow makes da biggest boom. Purple is da sneaky one, neva seen a purple ork ave ya? Blue iz lucky. Black is dead ‘ard But ya gotz to remembah. Green iz best! WAAAGH!

[@AngryBobthe6th]

"In 40k lore can these claws get through armor?" Yes. You actually guessed correctly that they do contain anti-grav elements but they also have some kind of field emitter that weakens the molecular bonds of the material they are trying to cut. Love the video and all the depth you get into the subject!

[@boooster101]

Is that in a codex? Because I can not remember any novel that talks about that detail.

[@AngryBobthe6th]

@@boooster101 Check the fandom wiki for "Power Klaw". Any "power" weapon has a similar effect (swords hammers fists).

[@jamescollette1296]

@@boooster101 The weapons of the Sicarian Rust Stalker explains in detail the use of such weapons a bit more in detail of how the "cutting" version would actually work. And it is pretty brutal yet very effective.

[@drizzt102]

Power weapons also do some sort of additional implied 'energy' damage do they not? Like a power sword has a higher flat damage bonus than a chainsword. So their is that to consider

[@KanuckStreams]

@@drizzt102 Quite correct! And they can even be variable on the energy output. There is an instance from a Ciaphas Cain novel where Cain has sparring practice with a Techmarine wielding a power sword. The Techmarine states that the power level of the sword has been reduced to "non-lethal" levels. Cain himself described that being struck even a glancing blow (obviously the Techmarine was not using their full strength in the strikes, as it was a training match), even when he deflected or otherwise mitigated the physical blow of the blade, he received "a rather nasty shock" from the energy field, and he states that the energy field could even give him a bit of a numbing jolt if the actual physical blade did not come into contact but got close enough for the field emitted by the blade to interact with him.

[@LarryGarfieldCrell]

So powered claws with gauntlets would work really well in Dune, where ranged weapons are nullified by personal shields. As long as the claws close slow enough to go through the shields, block a short sword with one arm, then grab the arm or neck with the other. Fight Over. Fatality.

[@nathandelafosse9616]

I was think exactly this as he said "if ranged weapons are nullified"

[@alvinadorno6105]

I can’t believe that OZ didn’t tell him that many of the power claws in 40k have a power field that energizes the claw to aid in the piercing/slicing of the claw. Also most of the people/ monsters that have them also have super strength. So they don’t need a anti gravity field.

[@ManSubhu]

Not sure the ork ones have a power field. I think orks are just strong. Edit - nope, they do have a power field.

[@Miqzz]

Yeah that's kind of a super relevant point since even the ork power klaws have an energy field same as lightning claws

[@relogos]

Aid as in "disrupting the molecular bonds of matter when it strikes"

[@svagglaorde4387]

@@ManSubhu Nah Ork strong, they just believe their power field is part of their strength.

[@Alpha.Phenix]

@@ManSubhu Thze Ork onez hev WAAAAAAAAAH fildz! Pik yur flaver uf paint fur exxtra iffektz! Me bbudy likez poiple on iz; nobudy seez it comin!

[@ngVAT579]

I personally favor the thunder hammer. It is a more elegant weapon for a more civilized age.

[@shadowofhawk55]

Tyranids = Best weapon

[@Alex-tn7pv]

LOL!

[@janhornak5739]

"When you have hammer, all problems begin to look like a nail." Ordo Malleus inquisitor, probably

[@calvingreene90]

😆 lol

[@zachfreedom644]

Thunder hammer is a teleport device that lets it's weilder escape the most dangerous circumstances. But as Conrad Curze found out. It's also a hammer.

[@kodys2087]

Claws, whether they are on a lion’s paw, fishing hook, or a hydraulic grappling bucket on a tractor are designed to grab, puncture, and securely hold it. In fact, you absolutely don’t want them to cut because then the grip is lost and then the zebra, fish, or scrap metal is dislodged. The claws are just meant to hold whatever the claws have punctured until the real cutting instruments come into play, like teeth, fillet knife, or saw.

[@Glimmlampe1982]

or climbing. you dont want to cut the wood (or animal hide) when you climb up, you want to hold on the only exception that comes to mind would be velociraptors or deinonychos that have a single large claw, that might have been used to rip the stomach of the prey open.

[@Washeek]

@@Glimmlampe1982 Depends on what you want to climb, like ice cliffs or rock cliffs. The expectation being that you cannot claw through a solid rock indefinitely. If you have ever stuck a knife in something massive, you can imagine how much a cutting edge can help you in climbing.

[@pokemonduck]

@@Glimmlampe1982 actually dromaeosaurids like velociraptor and deinonychus probably used their claws for gripping onto prey and/or for climbing trees. They probably subdued their prey by stabbing, climbing onto the prey and exhausting it with their weight as well as repeated biting. Their claw was ineffective as a slashing weapon and they just kept it raised to keep it sharp, like modern cats do by retracting their nails

[@Glimmlampe1982]

@@pokemonduck definitifly makes sense. and a single claw helps penetrate thick dinosaur hide. not sure though what the current explanation is, I'm just a dad with a 6 year old boy and therefor get to read a lot of kids books on dinosaurs which tend not to be filled with recent scientific results :D

[@eftheusempire]

This dude just described what hands are for without realizing it

[@ASpaceOstrich]

Knowing how the 40k power weapons actually work, a claw might actually be the ideal iteration of it. A claw in nature is there to grab and hold something to keep it from getting away, you don't want it to cut, just hold. The power field weakens the molecular bonds in the stuff around it, allowing you to get through armour and tough flesh with ease. A power claw is a claw encased in a power field. You hold them in place with it and then the power field turns their armour and flesh into paper. I don't think the 40k writers did this deliberately, but that would be the ideal way to keep the enemy stuck in the power field, much better than the hammer or sword which use the power field to make the weapon more effective, in the claws case, the weapon is there to make the power field more effective.

[@necrosteel5013]

The power sword seems like something a human would use to counter an astartes rather than being wielded by them. As for the hammer, might aswell replace it with a pile bunker type device that you can stick into a wall or vehicle to hammer into it and have a force pattern like an RPG penetrates Armor.

[@evanchristianA]

@@necrosteel5013 Not really, Astartes still needs power weapon like power sword to penetrate ceramite armor which chainsword can't. And random human will be instantly killed in melee by an astartes superior speed and reflexes, unless they are named character or peak performance power armored human, eg. Ciaphas Cain. Pile bunker weapon is probably weaker than energy field that weakens molecular bonds on top of pile bunker is unsuitable in hand to hand combat. If the goal is to destroy vehicle or wall they have melta bomb

[@valteine]

@@evanchristianA Readin Cain's books an havin im actually successfully survive a duel wit a chaos marine was really badass. It did make it quite clear that he was jus buyin time an wou ultimately lose but the sheer skill o the man to equal an individual that has existed for 100x as long as he has (I think at least) however briefly is quite impressive.

[@johnfroh6774]

"It wouldn't be more lethal" *looks at the recent Horus Heresy Trailer where Horus skewers a marine completely through the chest and out the other side... POWER Claws is the difference. Its not just a sharp glove. Its a glove that can slice through matter effortlessly.

[@CharlieName33]

You're half right. What you're thinking of are Lightning Claws, the ones that are sheathed in warp energy that allow them to sheer through ship hulls and Astartes armor. Would recommend looking them up, neat stuff! They are super duper cool dude its CRAZY how sick they look in terminator armor fighting filthy Tyranids!

[@donovanbrockhausen9262]

You also have to remember that Horus is a primarch who are leagues above what a normal space marine can do

[@kazadar1490]

@@CharlieName33 Lightning claes does not use warp energy. It uses a matter disruption field, which is a mechanical device. Force weapons uses warp energy, but only psykers can use them.

[@Jon-ef4hh]

I was actually unaware there was a 'power claw', but I knew that lightning claws and power fists were a thing...

[@andrewmcnally5013]

Yeah, Horus uses a special Lightning Claw. And if 40k nerds are to be believed, basic Lightning Claws and most Power Weapons are coated in a field of plasma to help go through enemy armour.

[@williamralston4949]

Shad looking at the model, "I would definitely pay someone to paint this." I can only picture Jazza just sitting there somewhere all sad because he's got Warhammer figures coming out the ears and Shad is like nah I'd rather pay someone.

[@kayn9651]

I would like to raise a point in defense of "multiple claws vs one claw". When it's Wolverine style, yes, I whole-heartedly agree. But for claws on the tips of your fingers, dispersing the force of your swipe across multiple claws is actually... a good thing! I think the main advantage of claws like that is that you still retain the usefulness of your limb for, well.. grabbing. But when it's your fingers specifically (like that Freddy Krueger style glove you showed) you'd really want to make sure that giving a swing with the full power of your arm and core didn't just break your fingers. - So spreading that force across all four fingers versus only one will make your slashes less deep, true. But it'll prevent you from breaking your fingers the moment you hit a target that poses even the slightest bit of resistance. There's an upper limit to how much force you can impart on each individual finger, and even if you only used one claw, you'd have to pull your punches not to break your finger so that claw will hit just as hard as if you'd put all your force into a four-claw swipe with your full hand.

[@singtothesilence]

Slight counterpoint (not a proper objection) - velociraptors and other such dinosaurs had sickle-like talons in an equivalent position to a thumb which they'd use to slash & gouge at prey, cutting vital arteries and inflicting blood loss. Counter-counterpoint - peregrine falcons strike their prey so quickly that they can't have their claws extended, so they ball their talons up and literally falcon punch their prey.

[@lightningpenguin8937]

If you're doing slashing finger claws then you need a brace. Which I looked and they actually do for Freddy's. So it'll depend entirely on the brace.

[@sev1120]

This is true. Oftentimes, multiple weaker blows is more effective than a singular powerful blow. It's somewhat akin to death by a thousand cuts

[@Matt-ef6pb]

@@singtothesilence We don't know how velociraptors used those claws.

[@Matt-ef6pb]

A great point. This would also explain why evolution hasn't favored single-clawed designs.

[@Kyle-kc4kr]

To be honest the "power" part of "power claw" (and every other "power" weapon) comes from the energy field surrounding them that allows these weapons to tear through armour in 40K. however logic would dictate that there'd also be some sort of hydraulic system in both the power claws and power fists that make their ability to grapple so much better.

[@boooster101]

"hydraulic system" Well that's just called power servos in 40k

[@VallornDeathblade]

They have fiber bundle muscles for things like power armour, terminator armour, etc. It would make sense they use the same thing for things such as power fists and power claws or chainfists.

[@Partor6]

Also aren't those claws made either by orcs or the techno guys, who worship the machine gods? So actual physics doesn't even have to matter because the machine god and Orc "magic" can just make anything mechanical work (Sorry for inaccuracies, I have surface level knowledge of WH 40k)

[@Kyle-kc4kr]

@@Partor6 Power claws are predominantly used by the Orks and Chaos (the big bad guys of the setting) so yeah there is an aspect of "magic" to them. The Orks have a gestalt psychic field where if they believe something works it works whereas the Chaos ones will most likely have daemons inside of them.

[@Archgeek0]

@@VallornDeathblade Chain...fists. The object that causes me to imagine is incredibly silly -- a massive chainsaw bar with a whirling chain of big metallic fists instead of sawteeth.

[@MrSamulai]

4:00 During the war of Octarius, a hivelord defeated an ork warboss by cutting the power cables in its powerclaw, rendering the ork unable to lift, much less use it. So yea, they require you to wear powerarmor. Or be named Yarrick, I suppose. Also, exposed power cables because orks.

[@RokuroCarisu]

One outstanding case of an Ork weapon NOT working only due to an Ork willing it to work.

[@MrSamulai]

@@RokuroCarisu Orks also believe that if you break it, it stops working.

[@MalefaxTheBlack]

Yarrick can do it because the Ork's think he can.

[@tranquilthoughts7233]

@@MalefaxTheBlack no, actually yarrick can use that powerclaw because it's not entirely an ork design. Sure, Yarrick did take that claw from a defeated ork boss, but he had it modified so that even humans can use it. So in all due technicality his powerclaw is more of an ork style weapon than an actual ork weapon.

[@matthewsmith2979]

Yarrick uses suspensors on his.

[@jlan7844]

Funny thing about the Jaws of Life being mentioned, the infamous Hyneman on Mythbusters actually made a "weaponized" version of those. He built an exoskeleton frame that he could wear to keep the weight of all of the equipment from being directly on his body. This allowed him to walk around with the claw in one hand and operate it with only that hand. The power supply for the thing was in a large pack that was bolted to the metal skeleton's back. And that was done with only current tech and some metal tubing.

[@MuphynDragon]

They actually have different styles of "lightning claws" in the 40k universe. Older patterns of armor have the finger claw version while newer ones use "wolverine" style. Normally these weapons are attached to a large powered gauntlet which also has the advantage of being part of the armor. You can't disarm someone's gauntlet like you could a sword. Another feature would be the power field. In 40k all the weapons have a power field to allow them to cut through thick metal. Swords and axes have their own weaker power packs while claws and fists use the much stronger power generator on the Marines back. EDIT: JUST REALIZED WE ARE ONLY LOOKING AT ORKS. I think the jaws of life are the best example. Grab and hold power armor while applying a huge amount of crushing force.

[@Serahpin]

Ork ones also use power fields.

[@BOYVIRGO666]

@@Serahpin Power fields plus power clawz for orks are typically on mega armour(though not always).

[@leadpaintchips9461]

Just want to clarify, not all weapons have a power field attached to them. The most iconic (and impractical) weapon of 40k is the chainsword, and that is just a chainsaw on a stick. There are a couple of weapons, not many though, that don't have them and they don't really see use on the tabletop because melee weapons without the field generators are absolutely rubbish against armored enemies. And there is a _lot_ of armor in the setting.

[@101Mant]

@@leadpaintchips9461 which is why the chainfist is great, a chainsword type weapon with a power field and way more powerful (it was anyway I'm 7 editions out of date).

[@apenguininthemist855]

@@leadpaintchips9461 That's a terrible misrepresentation of what a Chainsword is. Rather ignorant to state a lack of field generators on them as that is rather pattern dependant and, in fact, many Chainswords use micro-fields to allow the teeth to cut with the same effectiveness as a power weapon. That's not to mention that they're extremely complex weapons using extremely advanced control systems and crafted out of insanely advanced materials featuring durable mono-molecular edges. A Chainsword is a chainsaw on a stick in much the same way as an assault rifle or machine gun is just a bow that goes bang.

[@blitzburn2871]

One thing I love about 40K is that in universe a tone of strange things are justified. With the tech available to use a sword would be better than the claw and the gun would be better than the sword, but in 40K you get things like Orks. Orks are highly aggressive, numerous and favor rushing their foes down to get up close. So a potent melee weapon is needed, but also one that can account for their numerous biological redundancies. Orks can easily survive wounds that would fatally injure a human, so using several blades radically increases your odds of putting your foe down which is a viable tactic when using power weapons which negate the force dispersion with energy fields that exponentially increase the cutting power of the blades.

[@Sawtooth44]

when it comes to dealing with orks you dont have to kill the orks to win, you can overwhelm them with shock and awe for exsample bolter rounds can explode inside or on contact, lighting claws can leave horrendous wounds even if you only scratch them, thunder hammers blow things away, flamers are more like super napalm throwers everything is brutal to effect the moral of the orks cause as soon as orks think they will lose it will be a domino effect as all there things start to fall apart as the power of the WAAAAAAGH will no longer be able to keep there tech running, the orks collective will is there greatest strength and weakness

[@my8thaccount236]

That’s one of the big advantages of 40k’s design. No individual pieces are unique, not in the slightest. That’s pretty obvious. However the individual pieces are unique enough to stand on their own and there’s such a diversity of options available due to the cobbled together nature of it. So you can have a power armored space wizard fighting a giant Ork wielding a claw that runs on the same principles as the jaws of life and that’s a relatively tame example. There are very few stories that can claim to have that much range and still have it be believable enough allow for suspension of disbelief, while still remaining comprehensible.

[@Gebunator]

One of the many, possibly retconned reasons why melee became more and more part of Imperium warfare was because the increased firepower (such as bolters and 'modern' lasguns) came with reduced range, not to mention they had few millenias to fight against all kinds of minor and major races that rip and tear someting vicious

[@my8thaccount236]

@@voomvoom4522 Melee can be so powerful against demons because demons regenerate at a rapid rate. More than fast enough to recover from most forms of ranged weaponry. However anything that deals continuous damage or deals a death blow in one strike will nullify that advantage and sever their connection to the mortal plane. Melee attacks from a skilled combatant are more likely to deliver the powerful death blow that the second criteria demands. The first criteria is why fire is so effective as it keeps the demons from regenerating as being set on fire is continuous damage.

[@absolstoryoffiction6615]

Now... What if we merged the technology of the Nekrons with the biomass capability of the Tyranids?... A robotic legion to exceed what the Iron Men failed to become.

[@vaunkillion262]

The terrifying thing of the power claws of the imperium is actually in the name, "power" is indicating that it has a power field around the claw that on contact it dumps energy into the target effectively creating a plasma edge in front of the metal claw itself allowing it to cleave through armor and the things beneath it. So not only is it a mechanical claw of death it's also similar to a light saber with the mass and power of the big claw behind it.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

and should be able to block and bind lightsabers

[@colinbielat8558]

@@SonsOfLorgar in theory all power weapons should be able to block lightsabers and generally are superior to them. One of the main issues with lightsabers is the lack of blade mass so if a lightsaber were to try to block a power sword, the momentum of the sword would carry though and either knock the lightsaber out if someone's hand or even break the wrist of the wielder. Follow up with a power armored fist to the face and that is a dead Jodi.

[@tomaszwota1465]

​@@colinbielat8558 Imagine a whole Jedi planet being brought to conformity by an Imperial Fleet. Average Jedi would be some tricky opponents against Imperial Guard, especially in numbers, but Imperial Guard isn't exactly a pushover either, _especially in number_ ;) Strong Jedis might provide a challenge, that's probably where Space Marine elements would be dispatched. Heck, those strong in the Force might provide a challenge even for them, but I wouldn't overestimate it. I think SM elements would get it done, maybe they'd use SM psykers at strong resistance points or something like that, but I don't think any more specialized forces (Grey Knights, etc) would be really needed. It wouldn't be the easiest planet to take, but Imperium is facing much worse all the time. It would be just another Tuesday.

[@Gebunator]

Speaking of power weapons. Early depictions of powers fists were like claws, except the marines with power fists were literally tearing apart tanks with their hands because power fist outputted such a powerful.. power field. Orks basically saw that and figured they can make it orkier (AKA better) with propa klaws.

[@imperialfist385]

@@tomaszwota1465 Have you already listened to the crossover made by AFanWithTooMuchTime? Especially the later episodes are awesome regarding a fight between jedi and a librarian.

[@Zeoxis6]

I've seen what hydraulic scissors can do. Having multiple, portable, relatively light and possibly reinforced blades along with the right kind of armor for grappling and genuine defense

[@Rhodair]

26:03 I'd often thought about this with zombie movies - how anytime a zombie latched onto someone (e.g. grabbing their shoulder or leg), the only real options are immediately devoting yourself to fleeing or killing it

[@DeathMessenger1988]

Naturally. When Zombies claw at you, their next intent is to ravenously bite and eat you, not wrestle you for a chance at quickly killing you and moving on to the next (like, say, an Orc/Ork might). And depending on which type of zombie, they are grabbing at you with a death grip, all their muscle strength and focus on it (and let's not even talk about the ones whose bone fingers are already showing, giving them a natural stabbing claw of sorts). Zombies have no fear, hesitation or doubt, so you're dead if you have them yourself and don't act pronto.

[@TheIndianaGeoff]

There is also the space aspect in 40k combat. Any striking weapon in a low or zero gravity situation will drive the attacker away from the target. A power claw does the damage while keeping the target close. You crush and cripple the target and it's available for the next attack.

[@carlsjolund2379]

That’s a really good point, I did not consider that at all. Good to remember to bring up the different contexts from the universe the weapon is actually from.

[@raver377]

i mean there arent many cases of people fighting in actual zero gravity, maybe in a broken down ship etc but in those cases all marines and most normal soldiers should have a sort of magnetic lock on their boots so the zero g doesnt affect them, i cant even recall a singular instance of just two dudes fighting in actuall outer space etc

[@karysk6400]

@@raver377 some examples would be the spacehulks where its an amalgamation of different ships and junk fused together in the warp where the gravity technology might work in one part of it but not others etc which are then filled with terrors of all kinds most notably often tyranids and genestealers who do not have the magnetic locs as far as I am aware

[@raver377]

@@karysk6400 there are plenty of stories set in and around spacehulks, not one mentions gravity devices or magnetic locks etc not working...

[@Blacksheep045]

@@raver377 Im not super well versed on the novels but, of the few I have read, I remember Know no Fear has Ultramarines using void harnesses to combat Word Bearers boarders on the exterior of a voidship.

[@BurnDoubt]

Look at the claws on Eagles and other diving birds, once they get ahold of something they don't drop it because there's an internal ratchet system they actually have to pull another muscle to release their grip. A claw with an auto ratchet could probably rip away Shields weapons and armor as well as added stickiness

[@frednone]

I would argue that they don't drop it once grabbed, I dang near got brained when a hawk or eagle almost dropped a groundhog on my head.

[@janetmontalvo6944]

@@frednonethey do that on purpose because it’s easier to just drip the animal from really high than to kill it themselves

[@janetmontalvo6944]

That’s how they manage to kill turtles

[@frednone]

@@janetmontalvo6944 maybe, but what ever it was never came back and was complaining a lot as it flew off.

[@janetmontalvo6944]

@@frednone hmmm the evidence seems clear… birds are government drones ! It’s all coming together now! The answer it was so clear!

[@PhthaloGreenskin]

17:00 actually Eldar striking Scorpions Exarchs do that. They have something called a Scorpion's claw on thier off hand while they have a biting blade chainsword in the main hand. They'll use the claw as a defensive tool to grapple or deflect blows while They'll make the kill with thier sword or helmet mounted lasers. Their armor is also nearly impervious to Astartes Bolters and since they're space elves they're really fucking fast.

[@hungcuong606]

Every time i hear striking scorpion i immediately remember that they got ambushed by a dreadnought

[@wilfchapman-gandy8120]

@@hungcuong606 If we're talking about the same thing, those were howling banshees and that dreadnought was in a wall.

[@hungcuong606]

@@wilfchapman-gandy8120 i am talking about the scene from hammer and bolter where a group of striking scorpion got ambushed by a dreadnought

[@wilfchapman-gandy8120]

@@hungcuong606 Ah, nevermind then. The Aeldari are the Security Chief Worf of Warhammer 40k, like, they're the guys that get messed up to make everyone else look cool.

[@sciarpecyril]

Scorpion's claw is also a power weapon that is able to smack armored vehicle into oblivion.

[@AgentWest]

Re: powered claw. In a tv show Robot Wars was one bot that kept consistently winning. It was called Razer and it was essentially a power claw (or rather a scorpion-like power spike, but close enough) on wheels. The claw was slow, but very powerful since it was hydraulic. The body of that bot was a wedge, so their tactic was to 'scoop up' an opponent so they can no longer move to get away, then crush. Their claw would often penetrate top side of the other robot and damage internals like electronics or pneumatics, disabling the bot without having to deal with entire armour panels.

[@chrisbingley]

Razor was a beast, they even took on the House Robots, putting Matilda out of action.

[@Dondolini94]

Razer! I thought exactly the same! The thing is a literal pneumatic claw, wasn't flashy as a flipper or spinning weapon, but man... the horror of the grappling and slow crushing and piercing power was a show itself, and the thing was already intimidating. Something even more powerful that you can wear, and have 5 per hand? Obscenely destructive, i would love to carve out a car with it, super fun!

[@AgentWest]

@@Dondolini94 go to your local fire department and ask to play with their jaws of life. It is literally a handheld power claw made to chew through cars :D (or at least watch some videos of how it works. Impressive stuff!)

[@tubois2025]

This comment is gold

[@carlsjolund2379]

My reaction to the title/thumbnail: “WOOH, YEEEAA BABY!! This is what we’ve been waiting for!”

[@IDemigaming87]

As someone who has read the lore, i am unsure if you have Shad, but each claw in a powerklaw is powered by its own hydraulic and other ork tech that i can't explain because i don't understand it but the weapon is able to crunch through armor like an axe through wood and the orks use them in more ways then crushing like slashing, smacking and punching.

[@tyrusdalet]

Also sufficiently advanced power claws, like other “power” weapons in 40k, are shrouded in a Disruptor Field, which can annihilate molecular bonds. Making the argument of dispersed force a lot less applicable

[@petermuller3995]

Shad ist for entertainment. Of course he does not know the details... There are even claws for cutting trees today.

[@romaliop]

Ork technology follows the same basic principle Todd Howard has when developing games: It just works.

[@draconisthewyvern3664]

@@tyrusdalet if they don’t have the field they’re not power weapons. the field is what makes them a power weapon

[@CowCommando]

Lol, Ork tech is explained like this: "It works because the ork thinks it works."

[@boodstain]

I’d love to see you go over a video discussing the differences and effectiveness of stabbing vs slashing with weapons. Like how the Romans created the Gladius especially for stabbing because it was found stabbing was more lethal but weapons from the medieval period such as Sabres, Greatswords, and to some degree Longswords were created for slashing. And the pros and cons of creating weapons to suit that specific niche.

[@galaxya40s95]

.

[@chrismath149]

I wouldn't put the longsword firmly in the slashing category. There are three "Wunder" (3 ways to wound an opponent): Hauen/schneiden/stechen (chopping/cutting/stabbing). These three options are equally important. Similarly, you can stab with a saber and are also encouraged to do so (at least with the early variants from the middle ages we use in the HEMA community I am in).

[@philpeters3689]

The gladius being a short thrusting weapon also worked amazingly in the tight roman formations

[@DoctorProph3t]

Swords are balanced between slashing and thrusting, and curved sabres aren’t common until the 17th century, are you thinking of rapiers? Slash and hack edge weapons are more scimitars, Napoleonic era light cavalry sabres, machetes, bolo knives, falchions, kukris, etc.

[@mareczek00713]

While I'd love to hear Shad opinion a take I heard once it was because Romans had a fully professional army fighting in accurate formations while always carrying a shield which meant way less elaborate fencing and higher focus on shield protecting both yourself and friend next to you while medieval militaries were draft based with professional soldiers being way less numerous meaning more small skirmishes outside of organised battles and non-professional formations breaking more easily meaning there was often way more space to actually take a swing without worrying about chopping the head of the guy next to you opening more options for more elaborate fencing in which case making other options more viable was a good choice while in regards to stabbing medieval swords performed stabs lethally enough (remember, you don't need a perfect weapon, you need a good enough weapon, getting a stab through the heard with a dagger, gladius, long sword and a spear will kill you all the same.

[@GorefatherXII]

Sorry if I missed it in the video, but nothing actually mentions the use case of power claws in the context of 40k. They're anti tank weapons, not made for fighting other soldiers. If Ghazghkull backhands you, you're getting splattered even if you're wearing armor. If he encounters a tank you can punch the claws into the side and rip a man sized hole in the side. Additionally, weapons like Power Fists aren't super huge bludgeoning weapons, they generate some sort of energy field on the fist that explodes whatever you hit. Like strapping a dynamite brick to an armored glove and smashing it against the target.

[@curtisbrown547]

The thing about 40k is that most of it's weapons make atleast a bit of sense. In 40k armor is much more useful than what there is to counter act it, so melee weapons that can cleave, grind, or chop through it are legitimately useful.

[@MayBeSomething]

Oz: Carefully explains how the weapon is supposed to be used. Shad: "i'M a RaPtOr! AAAACCCHHHHGAH!!!!!!!!!" That made me smile, thanks!

[@geonsilberlicht4632]

That model you showed a few times is ghazghkull, and he is one of the most powerful melee combatants in 40k. His claw will go through anything - if I remember correctly, it has Armour Piercing -5 most of the time, which translates to almost nothing in the entire gaming actually getting an armour save when dealing with him. I did the mathhammer once, do you know what Imperial Titans are? Ol Ghazzy is the size of a dreadnought, costs 300 Points, but in a single round of combat, he will shred ~ 40 of 120 Wounds out of a warlord titan - the biggest model that can be fielded, it costs 5500 Points, almost three normal armies worth of points.

[@Glimmlampe1982]

additionally if we look on how natural claws are used, we might find other uses too. they're rarely used for ripping (the only possible case I could think of are dinosaurs like deinonychos that might have used it to rip the prey open, and they have a single large claw for that). * they're used for improved grip while running (dogs, cheetas), which we kind of have in form of studs on soccer shoes or nails in nailed boots. * they're used for digging or ripping open stuff (badgers, bears, anteaters), we kind of have that in form of gardening gloves with plastic claws * holding onto stuff (cats, birds of prey etc). here we could use them as climbing aids (especially if we reinforce the finger strength mechanically) or if we'd be fighting small and agile critters. lets say in a scifi setting theres a small alien race, about the size of cats or large rats they could be used for increased chance of catching them in melee. or more classical fantasy, little fey like pixies or brownies that are small, agile and fast and you want to have them as save and secure as you could before they run up your leg and cut your neck with a tiny blade

[@Gebunator]

Large cats ARE known to use their claws for ripping apart, going for softer stomaches, but you are right.. They prefer to latch on so they can get a good clean bite . Rip is just failed latch ,I guess.

[@zobblewobble1770]

With regards to Deinonychus and ripping, the current theory is that the Dromaeosaurs (deinonychus, velociraptor, utahraptor, etc.) employed their claws in the appropriately named “Raptor Prey Restraint”. Essentially they used their claws like modern birds to assist in balancing on top of prey in order to pin it to the ground with their body weight. The claws prevent their victims from wiggling away while the dromaeosaurs are free to start eating it alive.

[@screenmonkey]

The power claws mostly work by having a molecular disruption field around them to do most of the tearing action Also claw attacks from cats healt slower than a clean cut and causes more damage because it rips the flesh.

[@lightningpenguin8937]

Kind of like how clean breaks heal faster the splintered breaks.

[@MrAlopex112]

uhm... its also because of the baktierea cocktaile in the claws of felines.

[@spongederp160]

Yes this is true, a cat scratched my hand once and left a scar that stayed for months

[@Tekdruid]

The function of cat claws is more to grasp the prey than lacerate it though.

[@masonwheeler6536]

26:03: "If someone is desperate to latch onto you, there's very little you can do to prevent them, apart from killing them or moving back." And moving back is a pretty bad idea in a fight, unless you have a ranged weapon. I have long legs and I'm pretty limber. When sparring at the dojo, one of my best tricks is to snap a head-height kick at someone. The implied threat of "I could kick you in the face" is a very good way to intimidate someone and make them instinctively want to stay back, and then I'm in control of the bout because they have to get past my kick range before they can close to attack me. (Reach!) The ones who tend to do well are the ones who aren't intimidated and charge in to close quickly.

[@TrenchCoatDingo]

ok but in this case the guys are wearing armor your kick wont do anything other than give them shaky cam vision for a second.

[@masonwheeler6536]

@@TrenchCoatDingo In an armored, armed conflict, that second of disorientation can be all it takes to get a lethal blow in.

[@TrenchCoatDingo]

@@masonwheeler6536 possibly though trying to kill somebody in plate armor is difficult.

[@galacticlupine9460]

How do you deal with someone like me, someone who likes to fight defensively. Someone who conserves their energy while making you expend yours?

[@informationyes]

They would have as much range with their power claw as with such a kick they could just run forward going strait for a claw strike so any kick conecting will do little and fully open themsleves to being skewered, if their wearning terminater armour a kick wront do anything

[@luigifelace813]

Actually, Shad, depending by the strength of the model and the dice roll, with "da klaw" an ork (especially a warchief) can even open a medium-heavy tank. Game verified. Thanks to bring to us this topics.

[@DoctorProph3t]

Power claws are the only feasible use of claws in close combat. Being able to crush and cut a mofo with one hand is not only horrifically demoralising to his mates but it’s brutally bad ass.

[@lightningpenguin8937]

Power claws are definitely by far the best. I was say the gauntlet claws work as a defensive weapon. And natural claws are... claws you natural have? Minimal upgrade from nothing.

[@MasterChief328]

Common misconception that Jurassic park got raptors wrong. It didn't. People think they were attempting to show Velociraptor mongoliensis which is small. But they were actually depicting Velociraptor antirrhopus aka Deinonychus.

[@mandowarrior123]

Deinonycus, the beaky feathered creature that weighed about 70 kg?

[@Devin_Stromgren]

I mean, they're still too big. Just not as much too big.

[@robertrenato]

Even though Warhammer is going down the drain, fine dudes like Shad- who appreciate the setting more than its creators -still manage to fire up my long lost passion towards it:)

[@silversurfer8818]

Fairly certain Warhammer is more popular today, than ever before.

[@dalekrenegade2596]

@@silversurfer8818 He means GW kicking down independent creators like Alfabusa and Sodaz.

[@FandomChronicle]

How is warhammer going down the drain, haven't been updated for quite some time?

[@fguocokgyloeu4817]

GW is a bunch of asshats but 40k is very successful and the models are still awesome.

[@Alex-tn7pv]

Sad, but true.

[@khodexus4963]

In the game I've been designing, I've generally reserved 'claw gauntlets' for races that already have sizeable natural claws, such as an avian race with over half-foot long talons, and a salamander-like race with similarly sized claws. I've also included 'bladed gloves' as a type of ritual/spellcasting implement, not really intended for hand to hand combat, but still functional in a pinch, or a grapple in this case.

[@MouldMadeMind]

That seem like a loot of metal for thing that has to fly.

[@khodexus4963]

@@MouldMadeMind That's why they have a 12 foot wingspan. They are very strong natural fliers. An extra pound or two of metal isn't going to make much difference, certainly not when compared with other adventuring gear they are liable to carry.

[@khodexus4963]

@Random Platypus with Internet Yes, firstly, there are real world birds that are heavier and have a bigger wingspan than my avian race. And secondly, my world has a thicker atmosphere which is more energy dense than ours. And thirdly, inherent wind magic.

[@surutaeyaisutsu9904]

Some modern prosthetic arms have the strength to just crush skulls by grabbing imagine adding big claws to them that would be terrifying.

[@connordalton4553]

Terminator up in here.

[@MacA60230]

Luckily for Orks in 40k, actual effectiveness of the weapon is kinda irrelevant. If they believe hard enough the weapon to be effective, it WILL be effective. Ork tech is entirely based on their ability to wish beliefs into existence lol. Thank the Ancient Ones for that one.

[@nanoblast5748]

so it's just wishfull thinking?

[@hungcuong606]

Thankfully it also work against them if they believe something can kill them it will kill them like if you make a bolter firing sound they will believe that you shot them and die even though you are firing blank

[@Fuzzycat16]

Nah their tech functions the way it's intended to work. The belief thing is the waahg energy doing it's magic but you can't have a Steel tube that shoots rockets just because they believe it shoots rockets. "Ork tech is entirely based on their ability to wish beliefs" is just a meme.

[@hungcuong606]

@@nanoblast5748 pretty much if they believe that how it work then that how it work if they believe they invisible by painting purple on them then they are invisible when they are painted purple They can even make themselves invulnerable if they believe it Oddly enough there stupidity help make their power work if they were smart than they wouldn’t believe that how thing work

[@L_Monke]

Depends on writer, in the Octarius wars High Marshal Helbrecht managed to sever hydraulic thingy in Orc warboss's power claw rendering it useless.

[@TheViralInfekT]

Discussions like this (and the book in the background) remind me every time, that I need the next entry in the Shadow of the Conqueror in my life :)

[@Ptaaruonn]

Let's remember that cats also use the claws to climb and cause open wounds, they pierce and rip instead of piercing and cut. Like you said they are more of a grapling tool than blades.

[@Isaiah_Stuart]

The raptors in Jurassic park are based on Deinonychus. Now, deinonychus has an alternative classification as Velociraptor Antirrhopus. This creature was the size shown in the movies, though of course it would have had feathers. Even Mongoliensis wasn't chicken sized, though. At three feet tall and six feet long, it was comparable to a wolf. Still a formidable predator.

[@Arendelft]

14:48 I'm dying here... Oz, please, please, PLEASE mention how Abaddon DID use his Power Claw as an offhand weapon! He even duels with Sigismund with it as his offhand weapon, it is said he used the weapon as a counterbalance during the duel, is that realistic? And when (Spoilers here for Talon of Horus) Sigismund sunk his sword into Abaddon's chest, Sigismund was now right inside Abaddon's guard and he couldn't respond with his sword, so he responded with the Talon of Horus and used it to tear Sigismund in HALF! Now this wasn't some weapon that just had claws over each of Abaddon's fingers, the end of each protruded like long daggers and the weapon had a power field, enabling it to cut through power armor more effectively, factoring all of this in, I'd like to see Shad actually analyze how a fight like that might turn out and how realistic it would be! Power Claws aren't just powered by hydraulics', they have a fragging power field! And that would heavily impact how they perform in a fight! Maybe Ork Power Klaw's don't which is all Shad seems to be referring to (AND OZ IS LETTING THAT HAPPEN, SOME 40K FAN HE'S TURNING OUT TO BE!!!) and that is seriously starting to grate! How can he give Power Claw's a fair shake if he doesn't have all the info? Edit: No Oz, the dice roll isn't in the lore... it's in the TABLETOP GAME!!! The Tabletop game IS NOT THE LORE!!! Oh Terra, that explains why Oz isn't actually explaining more details of Power Claws, he doesn't know... he's not an expert on the lore, he just plays the tabletop game. I figured all people who played the game also knew the lore but Oz's silence on this is clearly displaying the fact that he really, REALLY doesn't know... ARGH!

[@guruvedra]

On Vigilus Abaddon also show Calgar why having sword in duel better then two powerfist.

[@Jsay18]

Fake fan alert. Get him outta here!

[@chaosjimthevoidlord3762]

I appreciate the fact that whenever he explains the effectiveness of adding blades to gauntlets to increases lethality, and utility, in combination with daggers and or swords, he shows photos of chaos ladz. We Chaos Ladz have the right idea, this is why I keep trying to convert my friends to chaos.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

The Truth will prevail.

[@chaosjimthevoidlord3762]

@@SonsOfLorgar indeed my fellow chaos lad.

[@DerSisch]

The swords of the Dark Eldar Incubi (named Klaivar) would have been interesting to look at.

[@JacatackLP]

The Klaive is one of my favorite weapons

[@ArturoGarcia-zx3ov]

There is a similar weapon in "demons souls" game. The big machete weared by the golden skeletons in the storm shrine; I always hated the fact you can´t get that weapon in particular

[@EzraeL91]

Fun facts about 40k: Primaris Firearms (Bolt Rifles etc...) have an anti-grav system to make the weapon lighter to hold. Power Claws and Power Talons, like all power weapons, are covered when attacking in an energy field so they don't cut nor rip: they melt!

[@SonsOfLorgar]

*vapourise, not melt

[@101Mant]

They brought back suspensors? Back in Rogue Trader heavy weapons had a movement penalty but more advanced factions like Marines came with suspensors which were exactly what you are describing and offset it. That got dropped in later editions and they stopped mentioning the suspensors in the codex or lore. I guess nothing really goes away in 40k.

[@MrFallenone]

*Disrupt, not melt nor vapourise... thats why its called a disruption field.

[@EzraeL91]

@@101Mant I don't know if it's that how they're called but if you look at, for example, a Primaris Bolt Rifle, there is this cilinder right above the firing chamber. That's the anti-grav device (and it's in almost all Primaris firearms).

[@gogroxandurrac]

16:30 there's also a training element. People have a lot of practice with their hands, it would take much less training to make a competent knife fighter than spiked gauntlet. I'd think brass knuckles/cestus over claws as an addition to the gauntlet off-hand, but the training would be similar.

[@thekinginyellowmessiahofha6308]

40 K has an answer for that: the power fist and lightning claws.

[@Tyrnak_Fenrir]

It's been a while since I last watched one of your videos, so what better topic to return to than one of my favorite weapons from my absolute favorite setting.

[@nicolasheung441]

On top of practicality in grappling, the power claw also have a very great intimidating effect. Especially if that user is a certain commissar that killed an Ork war boss in single combat and pried his power claw off his corpse, since all Orks learned about the tale and believe that you are some sort of undefeatable rampaging force of nature.

[@LivingNihilism]

I am pretty sure jaws of life could be made incredible fast nowadays already. For its intended purpose it is just better that it is a very slow process. You dont want to endanger the injured people in the car anymore. Having the claw rip open the door faster could result in glass shards or metal debrit flying into the car and causing serious injuries. Which consequently would be another advantage for the claw as a weapon, as well as a disadvantage. Having small shards of the armor of your opponent flying in every direction sounds incredibly dangerous for the person holding the claw as well.

[@leadpaintchips9461]

tbf most of the beings that use this style of claw are heavily armored, so having bits flying about at subsonic speeds isn't going to present much of a problem for the user.

[@AnotherDuck]

@@leadpaintchips9461 If they weren't armoured to that extent, they'd probably be easily shot down before getting into melee range. Unless they have some kind of shields that for some reason weren't effective against self-inflicted shrapnel.

[@leadpaintchips9461]

@@AnotherDuck Well there's orks that are not easy to drop but the shrapnel can do bad things to them, and some Eldar units whose defense is "I can dodge light". But you're right in that most things that use claws are armored enough to deal with 'small arms' fire.

[@saintlucus2359]

Oh boy, i get to see the glory of the Emperors finest armaments

[@kris-zw5hx]

Shad, LOVE it when you talk about Warhammer 40k 40k is my favourite setting and you are one of my favourite content creators

[@eichler721]

The power claw in 40K has many forms from just a big hydraulic claw by low tech Orks to the same as a power sword where it separates at the molecular level and can tear armor open with ease. In fantasy it really doesn't work though except as a defensive weapon. Great stuff Shad we love this series

[@VictorianTimeTraveler]

I'm glad to see that Shad is finally developing a healthy appreciation for 40K

[@crassiewassie8354]

Shad needs to talk more about Warhammer Fantasy and 40k Takes so much inspiration from history and realism.

[@Guderian2]

I have to say pup-culture weapons analysed is probably my favorite series on your channel. You take your time and actually analyze weapons that you normally don't think about much and it is really informative. Now if you excuse me. I need to purge some Orks.

[@dgalloway107]

You do this thing where you look at the concept from a surface level and deeply analyze the surface level concept. Without looking at any of the deeper examples. For example most Power Claws in 40k do in fact have blades on the inside, in addition to many being modified to be assisted by plasma, acids, incendiaries and other fun stuff. I suppose Blade Hands is a more PC name for them but it doesnt have the same appeal as power claws.

[@griffoncs6431]

I agree. This is a good example of where some pretty simple research could add to the video as a whole. A 30 second Google search could let you know things like "Ork power claws are designed to rip open tanks and get to the cream fling on the inside" just like the jaws of life. Or that most of these claw like weapons are still bladed in 40k and also have a power field running through them. Still a good video though. 👍

[@Gebunator]

Just like Yarrick said "Oversized can opener, but brutally good at it" (probably)

[@SanguinaryGuard]

Nice to see you having fun and looking so healthy. I've been rewatching some of your older videos (about castles), and you can really see the benefit of your operation. You have much more colour in your face and more energy, but there are fewer cuts in the video for pausing to catch your breath.

[@ThePurpleFantum]

If you want a really good example of this, there was a robotwars robot named razor that had a pneumatic crushing claw... it was incredibly effective.

[@ravennanie]

in nature claws allow a predator to hold their prey more than just doing damage, any predatory feature is not meant to only deal damage then let the prey disengage, teeth and claws are meant to hold and restrain whether the prey is larger or bite size...

[@morrigankasa570]

Yay, these types of videos are some of my favorite on this channel. Anyway Shad, please consider this type of video on the new Anniversary Edition Skyrim content. As well as Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning. Additionally on your second channel, can you please resume the D & D playthrough or other roleplaying board game like that.

[@Lexi_Chi_5]

I've come up with my own implementation of weapons with magical properties. I've called it cold steel. Cold steel is a technique of forging a weapon with the use of a special magic ice found only in the far north of the frost realm (known as Ymir) and this gives the weapon properties that make it close to indestructeable and very light. however, if kept above the temprature of 0 degrees celcious, the material becomes very heavy and brittle after about 10 minutes in this temprature. The smiths of Ymir managed to take metal formed from a volcano and as this metal holds a low temprature for several days before it starts heating up and make this into the scabards so that the weapons could be transported outside of -0 degree temprature.

[@hllow3199]

Neat

[@kurotamashi8138]

You might wanna change it's name though, the weapon company Cold Steel may not like you using their name

[@wert1234576]

Why am I reminded of stalhrim

[@WJS774]

@@kurotamashi8138 Sucks to be them then, because 'cold steel' has been a phrase long before they even existed.

[@kurotamashi8138]

@@WJS774 Hope you have a good lawyer because Cold Steel has an unforgiving legal team

[@danaedunford1372]

I really enjoyed the back-and-forth banter and near stream of consciousness of this analysis.

[@alt2max]

"100 Newtons of Claws" my new favorite math measurement. Love ya Shad, keep up the amazing videos :)

[@sschuster2180]

@Shad with Space Marine and Ork Power claws there's usually 1. A blade inside the claws and 2. At least with Space Marine Power claws there's usually a forcefield around the already monomolecular blade edge which forces matter apart letting it slice though Armour like butter. You should watch the newest Horus Heresy trailer to see how a power claw is used to pierce

[@jamoecw]

"...its punching force would be just as high." mass and weight is different, however the effort to move something is a function of mass. that means that a high mass glove would inhibit your ability to punch. if you could still punch then it would punch hard. the issue is that a punch is applied force to a target at speed, and mass decreases that speed. the design of the glove inhibit (not prevent) the snap that helps make punches effective. so the extra mass of the glove is not a good thing, and the power that fights gravitational pull is probably either not anti-gravity or not just anti-gravity. there is some sort of motion assist with the gloves, hence why they are still effective.

[@Aikano9]

So like a massive armored exoskeleton?

[@lightningpenguin8937]

Yeah, if it's only anti-gravity then a balance of weight, strength, and mass needs to be kept in balance. The formula is mv², and slower attacks are harder to hit. Plus you'd want something to attack by turning off the anti-gravity. Punching weapons are honestly pretty bad. Even adding a Spike significantly increases lethality.

[@rustkarl]

Chainaxe and Power Claw are among my favourite 40k weapons. The former for being so ridiculous that it loops around to being awesome. The second because it’s a vicious and effective weapon. Oh yeah, power claws have one other nasty surprise, the reason why they have the ‘power’ moniker is not because they are powered by machinery (though they are) but because like Power Swords or Power Axes and such they are coated in a destabilising field that helps tear apart the molecular structure of the target as the weapon strikes. So even the armour of the 40k galaxy has a hard time keeping these buggers out, but it’s hard to apply this quality to rank-and-file ranged weapons. Plasma weapons and such are good at it but tend to be much more expensive and much harder to manufacture and maintain and the consequences for malfunction are more… severe in comparison to say a Boltgun or Lasgun. Power Weapons don’t tend to backfire as spectacularly as Plasma Guns are wont to do, and lore wise at least are pretty good at putting most things down that don’t have plot armour. So high quality weapons like power weapons or plasma weaponry are usually reserved for commanders, distinguished sergeants or specialists because of this. That’s for handheld weapons though. I like Doomsday Cannons, those are dope.

[@tyrusdalet]

D6 shots with D6 damage. FeelsBadMan. Necrons got shafted by being released so early in 9e

[@petermuller3995]

@@tyrusdalet Buy 40 Flayed Ones^^

[@rustkarl]

@@petermuller3995 There hasn’t been this much blood since Flayed Ones rediscovered masturbation.

[@SeanConneZombie]

One of my favorite content creators, and one of my favorite hobbies, great way to start the weekend!

[@BrotherBlackBoltz]

This is actually super insightful to a character I have which large gauntlets that stick out past his elbows,that turn into a kind of shield when he blocks, and one clawed hand to rip off any armor and weighty punches with the other. thanks shad

[@severdonwan]

Talking about Wolverine's claws, remember the whole 'equal and opposite reaction' thing. You need less structural reinforcement for three claws each doing 100 newtons than one claw doing 300 newtons.

[@AnotherDuck]

Well, you need less structural reinforcement for each claw. Same in total. But that's from a mathematical standpoint, since in practice you're probably not going to spread the force evenly on those three claws, so you need some extra to account for uneven force. Wolverine himself is a bit special, though.

[@severdonwan]

@@AnotherDuck Yeah, but it is easier to reinforce for, say, 130 newtons than it is 360. This also applies to things like the lightning claws Space Marines have.

[@AnotherDuck]

@@severdonwan Not sure I agree with that, since you need to reinforce each part either separately, in which case you have multiple parts which means higher risk of failure, or you reinforce them together in which case you just have the same thing anyway. I also think the asymmetrical force you have to account for is more than just 8%. If you have lightning you have a different type of force, which is a whole other ballgame with different advantages and disadvantages.

[@severdonwan]

@@AnotherDuck Except that the force is better distributed when you're doing three claws instead of one. For the same reason that the single claw has more raw power, the impact on three claws is less. Equal and opposite reactions, and all. Spreading the load means you need less strength at any one point. Picture the difference between a typical seatbelt (three-point harness) and one-point harness, with a collar or lasso (one-point harness). Which is more effective at distributing an equal amount of force without injury?

[@AnotherDuck]

@@severdonwan That goes both ways, though. If it's effective at distributing the force, it means you need more force to injure your opponent.

[@ct7567CaptRex]

Hey chad, could you do a Video of the custodes Speargun aswell please? Btw. Characters like abbadon and horus introduced the power claw to me. I like the concept, however, the midevial nerd in me prefers a powersword modeled after a longsword. Epic, knightley inspired melee is my favorite thing. This is why i love the black templars and Grey knights the most of all chapters.

[@Ake-TL]

Aren’t GK more about Glaives

[@apacalypsagon3758]

Don't forget about lught Huron.

[@ct7567CaptRex]

@@Ake-TL glaives and other Pole weapons were also used by Knights and men at arms. And its melee. I Generally prefer melee focussed chapters/individuals, like the fleshtearers , Grey knights, death watch, black templars, berserkers of khorne, etc.

[@Rothana76]

@@ct7567CaptRex Fleshtearers over Blood Angels?

[@ct7567CaptRex]

@@Rothana76 they are violent assholes with anger management issues. l myself have those issues, albeit not beeing a space marine, sadly. I just love them.

[@ArturoGarcia-zx3ov]

25:22 dont think like that, the tiger style is actualy very dangerous if who do it is a true master. Half of the training are focused on strengthen your fingers; They will attack weak points like your face or neck and they can actualy kill you if they get a good grab on your throat Also, the power claws would be The WEAPON in the Dune universe

[@lightningpenguin8937]

In dune, grappling weapons are the way to go. A lethal man catcher could be used as human shears.

[@gogroxandurrac]

When you get into the hydraulics of the sci-fi realm, it becomes a question of effectiveness. Is it more effective to try and pry someone out of their armor or have something like a pile bunker. I'd say pile bunker, but that would be against the heaviest of armor. Claws could function on medium to light armor more efficiently, I'm not sure. In 40k specifically, there's also the question of how easy it is to get the operator to believe in the effectiveness. Claws look a lot more intimidating than just a spike jutting out of the fist, at least that's an argument I could see being put forward. As with a lot of aesthetic questions, though, it comes down to opinion on which is more intimidating in the mind of the wielder.

[@shaniamonde7341]

Claws on animals are generaly not the main damage dealer, cats/ lions etc use the claws only to grapple/hold their prey with the killing blow coming from jaws/teeth. Bladed claws essentially become slashing weapons rather than piering, rather than going for a single penetrating wound you are aiming for a frenzy of shallow slices, in this sense multiple blades makes more logic. (4 cuts per swipe)

[@sevenproxies4255]

In 40K, a lot of the high tech stuff as "suspensors" (basic anti-grav tech) so as to make handling easier. Although the Power Klaw as used by the Orks definitely doesn't have something so sophisticated. But Orks have superhuman strength, so they just brute force the excessive weight of their weapons.

[@alexflorea4294]

Also of note, orks that use them also use some sort of powered armor which also helps with moving it around.

[@TheLastGarou]

Also-also of note: All Orks are latent psykers. Ork "tech" works almost entirely because Orks THINK it SHOULD. There's actually an Imperium officer who has become immortal because he survived so many Ork attacks the y became convinced he couldn't die. And because enough Orks believed it, it became true.

[@Amplifymagic]

More fist weapon videos would be great! Like a fist weapon a ninja uses

[@AttilaTheOneOriginal]

Shad, you may be happy to know that Velociraptors specifically are small, but there were certainly JP sized (and bigger actually) raptors that existed during the time of dinosaurs

[@jacobkeary6740]

*_I'm so glad Shad brought up how good blocking with your forearms is, I've been saying for years that it's incredibly intuitive for humans to block with their forearms/hands. Cheers pal._*

[@CharlieName33]

A good video overall Shad, liked how you went into specifics of it. What is your opinion on Lightning Claws though? As Astartes never use Power Klaws as you went over here. Whereas Lightning Claws are inset fixed blades/sometimes flexible finger claws that are sheathed in warp energy to massively increase their killing effectiveness and can shear through ship hull. Would recommend looking them up mate. Looking forward to seeing you cover more 40k goodness!

[@khorneflakes4446]

13:25 You are effectively describing a Tyranid Hormagaunt. Shad should absolutely analyze the Tyranid melee weapons. I am genuinely curious how effective they would be

[@naclcube6558]

Devourers are nasty I wouldn't want to face that... :x

[@bulthaosen1169]

Tyranid weapons are just spikes and blades. And maybe warp attacks which can be anything really.

[@DanJMW]

The little "raptor claw" aside is especially interesting when you look at deinonychus- nature got there! (Maybe an idea for another video - naturally evolved "weapons" from dinosaurs etc).

[@Katepuzzilein]

The traditional sickle claw was more likely used as climbing tools in Paravians (Dromaesaurs, Troodontids and Birds). You can even see the claw morphology change in Deinonychus. Babies had more curved ones for climbing trees while adults had more straight ones for climbing prey, anchoring themselves while flapping their wings and tearing chunks out of the poor fella with their jaw. Now modern birds are a different story, they have an enlarged and reversed hallux (the backwards facing toe, raptors had a dewclaw) so they can actually grip and they don't normally walk a lot so they can afford to have four large sharp claws instead of just one

[@iamwhatitorture6072]

6:04 I have actually, multiple times even. In my job I have to always use cranes to move workpieces and I have tried to stop them from swinging and it's really hard. Since they were hanging from the crane it is kind of similar to weightlessness. At some point you don't even bother and just move it slowly/let it swing/drive the crane in the direction of the swinging 29:52 You really don't want to know the stories I've heard from work. I work in the metal industry, we have mills and lathes and people have had all kinds of injuries. Last year we even had a death... ironically from falling downstairs and not the deadly machinery or partially tons of steel workpieces, further proving how fragile humans can be. You could use the claw to destroy your oponents weapon, taking away their reach btw.

[@TheDeinonychus]

Interesting point about claws and how they work. I happen to be very interested in dinosaurs. My favorite type are the dromeosaurids, what most people would recognize these days as 'raptors'. Perhaps the most recognized by the general public these days is the velociraptor, one of the later species to appear. The claws they are so famous for, when you examine them, do indeed have a very rounded profile. However, when you look at some of the earlier dromeosaurid species, the deinonychus for example, you more often see claws with a very flat, almost blade-like profile. The prevailing theory when it comes to how these claws were used was that they were used to puncture organs and arteries in their prey, causing them to bleed out. However, considering that earlier species had flatter claws, they'd probably be more effective at actually ripping through flesh.

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

25:00 if someone wants to latch on, you let them. you still have a number of seconds before that grab evolves into a grapple, or a throw, or whatever higher technique. if they have you, you also have *them* .... and they can't block anymore because their hands are *on you* that actually led me to a sort of warrior's proverb for a story I wrote: "Embrace your enemies. They can't draw a weapon with your arms around them." which is kind of a mixture between The Art Of War and some Klingon that I mashed up together, but the point remains: grabbing and grappling has a double meaning, you just have to learn to spot it and turn it around quick and swift. they go for your throat? go for their balls with a knee, or their ears with a double cup slap, or carry their momentum down and up with a judo throw.

[@arnijulian6241]

Power claws would be a shearing action. Not slashing or piecing as such. They are basically like pneumatic-hydraulic powered snips, crimps or scissors. The real life tool equivalent exists for manufacturing items like aircraft or thick sheet toolbox's though not as many blades used. Generally only 1 blade that fits to a slotted back plate or 2 blades..

[@arnijulian6241]

Animal claws aren't really weapons but grasping implements. A big cat uses it claws to hold on to the prey but the maw does the work as natural weapon. Why multiple claws are good if the are intended to latch on to something rather then to intestinally cause injury claws being a natural weapon is more a secondary at best purpose even for arthropods.

[@rustkarl]

Ork Klaws yes. Space Marine power claws are clearly less like shears and more like blades.

[@arnijulian6241]

@@rustkarl I suppose so for imperial gear!

[@torrasque0151]

@@arnijulian6241 Domestic cats' hind claws are a primary weapon vs certain size of prey.

[@arnijulian6241]

​@@torrasque0151 I've never seen it but I could imagine the 4 rear claws being of sturdier construction as they have no 5th dew claw. I would still not argue it main purpose as a weapon but a natural climbing implement for the rear claws. Rear claw being a weapon is more secondary function at best. Now that you made me think about it a creatures claws though more arguably pincers that are a primary weapon would be the coconut crab! It's pinch of 740 pound of force at about 90 times it's own body weight. they have been known to devour mobility hampered humans in number! The coconut crabs have no predators but humans once they reach majority. their lack of speed is their real let down. The stone crab might be an honourable mention with a PSI of 21 tons but less over all strength of poundage force but on a much narrower smaller surface of pincer/claw.

[@collingreen9517]

I believe the weapon was originally popularized by Conrad Curze, a primarch who’s strategies were built around the use of fear as a weapon. The claws are meant to emphasize his monstrous persona and deal brutal wounds. I’m not surprised the weapon is incredibly effective because it’s just as much an implement of torture as it is a weapon. The reason it’s so prominent is either because of symbolism or because the creature likes the brutally of their implement over any real combat advantage like in the case of Orkz or more the more edgy space marine chapters

[@AidanRatnage]

If you did reduce friction on your car, as you say at 4:56, then your car would slide all over the place and be very difficult to control. Tyres actually increase the friction with their treads which we call traction, the friction between the tyres and road is what actually causes the car to accelerate or break and avoid drifting round corners. You need friction and want it on your car. Later on at 5:35 you say that gravity is what cause friction between 2 objects but for an object on the ground it is actually the normal reaction force and the roughness of the 2 surfaces that are touching that causes this. Without any gravity you could lift it off the ground and then all you need to deal with is fluid friction (drag) but if you kept it on the ground there would still be friction between the 2 solids.

[@hawoaliahmed6996]

no there need to bee a force pushing it to the surfice for friction to be possible

[@AidanRatnage]

@@hawoaliahmed6996 Yeah but It's not gravity itself that causes the friction.

[@ZFighter2100]

I like that you bring Horus Lupercal into the video because recently on the official warhammer yt channel showed him piercing an imperial fist with his claws

[@draconisthewyvern3664]

@Shadiversity power claws aren’t just pointy metal on the end of your fingers. power claws and other power weapons have basically a force field on the weapon itself to basically annihilate anything they touch at the molecular level by breaking apart there bonds

[@yepcock6917]

4:46 Hey man, physicist here. I know this is all sci fi bullshitting, but no. Gravity is THE elemental force resulting from the existence of mass. They are intrinsically coupled. Disable gravity and you disable mass itself. Also, the idea that mass and weight are different things is only technically correct. The concept of weight is just a description of how a massive body behaves inside of a gravitational field, or to be precise, the gravitational force that the massive body propagates with divided by the acceleration constant of said field, or for the concept to be useful, the constant of earth's field g=9.81m/s^2. So in the edge case of there not being a gravitational field, there is no weight.

[@mixartjohnson8968]

I thought that Gravity and Time is the same.

[@Errtuabyss]

While I love me some Orks I still believe that Genestealer Cult gets far to little attention. They literally have hydraulic cutters (like in 7:15) as weapons. A bunch of 3 armed mutant maniacs will jump an the target, pin it down while one of them uses the cutter to open the can to get the the juicy insides. But the most fun part about it: every single one of them has Rending Claws, which are hands that are muteded to be mini versions of those cutters. They are funtioning like a crab claw, so chitin armor instead of normal bones for muscle filled armes strong enough to crush steal. So they only need the actual hydraulic cutter to open up armor that is too thick for them. Like Tanks. Or Space Marines in Terminator armor (same thing really). One could make a series just about the different types of claw style weapons in 40k.

[@erebusvonmori8050]

And that's how the Genestealer Cult likes it.

[@Danarogon]

13:26 No, it wouldn't be more efficient because animal claws are not meant to slash their prey but rather grab and immobilize. By having multiple claws you get a better grip than with just one claw per hand. If the opposite were true most predators would convergently evolve into bizzarro praying mantises due to the supposed higher effectiveness. Nature is very good at finding efficient solutions, dont be arrogant as to assume you know better than billion of years of evolution.

[@kodys2087]

I shared your sentiments in my comment after yours. Claws puncture and hold, teeth are for cutting and ripping. You don’t want claws to cut because the grip will be lost

[@antonymash9586]

There are limts on what nature can and does. If A creature looses a complex feature it is extremly unlikly ever to get it back. It is extremly unlikely to ever to improve by getting worse. The human eye may not evolve to get rid of the blind spot as it would have to get dramaticaly worse first in order to overcome the deficency. Good enough is good enough. Evolution rarely wastes energy promotiong traits better than you need to suscesfuly reproduce.

[@Glimmlampe1982]

its especially wrong because raptors DO have a single enlarged claw. like deinonychos. not sure what the current scientific explanation for that is. either its actually for ripping open the belly of its prey, or maybe for additional penetration when scaling a thick hided dinosaur

[@Alex_Fahey]

While that may be true for large animals, animals don't wear metal armor nor use metal weapons. The reduced force per claw and greater area of damage is effective when dealing with flesh and keeping the concentrated force per claw lower to keep from breaking your claw off. However, if you can put in more force without hurting yourself and need more force to crack through an armored shell around a creature, then the praying mantis style of weapon against a type of exoskeleton is very, very useful. You don't need nor want a warpick to fight a shirtless dude. A knife or two is good enough. However, when you are dealing with a walking tin can, something with more concentrated force to puncture through is neccessary.

[@leadpaintchips9461]

TBH nature isn't good at finding efficient solutions, nature's good at finding 'good enough' solutions. There's a lot of biology out there that are highly ineffective but are 'good enough' to let something survive.

[@nooneofimportance2110]

Love the fact that you're constantly showing pics of Commissar Yarrick, the most badass man of 40K.

[@dragonsflame3777]

first time I've listened to a sponsor and been genuinely interested in it, and I've never heard of it before... actually a sponsor I will examine

[@estaticethan1752]

Wait... Your brother, Jazza, Made that prop. Wow, how about that. I was there to see how Jazza Made it and granted it's a lengthy process with some... Questionable methods. If I'm being honest, the claw weapons can have a good utility, however, it's not a good weapon. But I like it to be regular size and use it for situational purpose - plus, at least I can use my hands for other things.

[@kyranthewalker9095]

​@UCsT-gXgttJOsInXlaZrQwLA Think he might mean the one in the thumbnail. It's a physical full sized prop that was printed, assembled, and painted.

[@Gotten37]

I feared Shad would ignore the most important part of the "power" weapons in 40k... and by the comments it seems my fear was warranted. If anyone made it through the whole vid, please let me know if he at least acknowledged it.

[@Alex-mt8qe]

Video starts at 2:26 to much 🙄

[@nuclearpopsiclestand9245]

With the rushing in and trying to latch onto anything statement you described the concept of terminators in a nutshell

[@inquisitormaddox8581]

Monocular Blades and power fields I think having strength is the secondary reason why it’s effective