Does it look however the Solarian wants or is it supposed to be more of a weapon made of energy?
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If the developers don't provide guidance on such an issue when writing the rules, like they've done in this case, they're leaving it up to you and your table. Be creative, but do be mindful of the tone of the adventure you're playing. A solar weapon shaped like a sword ia fine in most places. One shaped like a cane or parasol could work for a refined gentleperson. But one shaped like a giant foam finger is only appropriate in a suitably light hearted game.
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The write-up specifically says "This weapon is an extension of yourself, and you can change its form with meditation," so you can determine its general shape and appearance, however you like. It's probably still recognizable as a weapon made of coherent energy, so it probably wouldn't pass as, like, a physical mundane sword made of metal or whatever; but that feels like the kind of thing you could discuss with your GM.
For what it's worth, in 1e, it was generally the same, but the write-up had more details:
This weapon appears to be made out of glowing light or solid darkness, as determined by the appearance of your solar manifestation, but it can be whatever general shape you choose. Normal melee weapons like axes, swords, and spears are most common, but other shapes, such as a large rune of stellar energy, a mass of writhing energy tendrils, or an energized fist that fits over your own hand, are possible as well. Your solar weapon’s general design has no impact on its function, and doesn’t give the weapon any special abilities such as reach. Once you’ve selected the general design, you can’t change it until you gain a new solarian level.
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My playtest Solarian was a body builder who used his muscle mass to generate gravitational fields. His solar weapon was a kettle bell on the end of a rope. Do whatever works for you and your group.
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There has been some nice variety in the appearance of solar weapons in 1E and 2E art, so it has always been pretty much up to the player to decide what their solarian's weapon looks like. The 1E Core Rulebook showed blades and spears, the 2E Player Core shows a battle ribbon and a battleaxe, and SFS 1E scenarios have included (IIRC) gloves, hammers, and a harpoon, among others.
My 1E solarian was a copaxi whose solar weapon was a jagged blade made of dark violet energy, resembling the coral-like spikes covering their exo-skeleton. My 2E barathu had a whip-like weapon that mimicked the look of their own tentacles. My new, yet-to-be-played, 2E solarion is a shobhad who wields a glowing energy maul.
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My playtest solarian was a ditzy infosphere streamer who was obsessed with his own appearance. His solar weapon manifestation was a glowing statue of himself that he bludgeoned his enemies with.
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I'm more wondering if the weapon is always looking like its made of energy or if it can look like a normal weapon? I think it's supposed to look like its some kind of glowing energy weapon in the shape of whatever the solarian chooses, not a normal everyday weapon.
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I'm more wondering if the weapon is always looking like its made of energy or if it can look like a normal weapon? I think it's supposed to look like its some kind of glowing energy weapon in the shape of whatever the solarian chooses, not a normal everyday weapon.It becomes a bit hard to flavor how they vanish entirely when you Unattune, if they aren't made from pure Graviton/Photon power.
Something like a Laser Sword or Laser Axe might work?
Something where just the hilt can stay with you, while the damaging part vanishes.
Not really?
I mean, in that case, just imagine that the weapon glows and vanishes at the moment of attunement.As an example: it could look like a real sword when manifest, the blade looking shiny and bright when photon, then turning dark and tarnished when graviton.
Doesn't necessarily have to look like a laser weapon or pure energy.