How does this cestus thing work?

What is a cestus?

A new weapon type for Aenea, the cestus is loosely based on the ancient real-world weapon of gladiators and brawlers (wikipedia link for those interested in a starting point on learning more).

Stats:
Damage: 1d4
Critical: 19-20/x2
Damage Type: Bludgeoning
Weight: 1 pound
Equipment Slot: Right hand
Proficiency Needed: Simple, Monk, Rogue, Wizard (and a few more...aka, anybody can use it)

Can monks use this for their unarmed attacks?

No. It's a weapon. Kind of like gloves, but still a weapon and the wielder is "armed".

Are there feats I can take to improve my use of this thing?

Unfortuneately, no. Feats such as Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Weapon of Choice (for weapon masters), etc. are hardcoded by BioWare. While new types of weapons can be added, the feats that go along with them cannot.

Why does the game keep changing out these things every time I pick one up?

Weapon models do not scale in size based on gender like they do based on race/appearance. Females have skinny little hands that look funny with the male-sized cesti. I make two versions of every cestus I'm adding to the game (one male, one female), and have the module's onAcquired script automatically swap the gender versions if the one you pick up doesn't match your character's gender.

I saw the one with the blades. Can you make one with 3 longer blades so I can use them more like Wolverine's claws?

I can...but I won't.

Why not make these so you can use them in the left hand, for us dual-weilders?

Unlike most weapons, the model for the cesti are closely aligned with the hand model (with the "improved" hand models, specifically). If they were placed in the left hand equipment slot, they wouldn't line up right and would look really bad. Really, really bad (trust me, I tested it out while developing them).

Why can't I get one of these with a custom item voucher?

Because I don't feel like it yet. They're brand new, and the builder part of me wants a chance to play around with making them for the game before I give this one out for custom items.

What happened to my cestus? I put it on the ground, and now it's gone!

Um...don't do that. For most of the cesti models, there isn't enough actual model there for any of it to stick up from the ground where you can pick it up again (and what little there is, usualy ends up "under" the level of the ground or floor). If you want to give it to another player, there's the "barter" function in the game. They also work fine in containers, in placeables, and with stores. Just don't drop them on the ground.

Where's the leather wraps? All I see are the studs (or metal band, or blades).

While these look odd with bare hands, I think they look good with the leather or metal "gloves" found with most armors. I didn't want to cover the better-textured armored hands, especially since my model-making skills are beginner (at best), and my model-texturing skills are almost non-existent.

The Amethyst Dragon wrote:I saw the one with the blades. Can you make one with 3 longer blades so I can use them more like Wolverine's claws?

I can...but I won't.

Love it

From June, 2009

Why can't I get one of these with a custom item voucher?

Because I don't feel like it yet.
They're brand new, and the builder part of me wants a chance to play
around with making them for the game before I give this one out for
custom items.

Any change on this? Are they still off limits as custom gear?