Weapons?

[NatureDruid]

I am suspecting that the great beings had something to do with setting up the first toa. If so, why did they equip them with melee weapons? I am sure a longer range weapon, like a gun, would be more useful. Even the Vorox on Bota Magna had long range firearms!

[Meta-Mind]

...Probably because the Great Beings did not see the need for ranged weapons. Remember that the original Toa's weapons were actually tools (nevermind that Helryx had a flail), thus the origin of the name "Toa Tools." Ranged weapons would not be necessary, especially since the Toa were just more specialized nanotech to the GBs.This is further supported by the fact that every ranged weapon I can think of, Toa Tool or no, was invented in the MU, not by the Great Beings.

Edited October 10, 2012 by Meta-Mind

[BULiK]

Simple: They have elemental powers. That is their ranged weapon.

[bonesiii]

Yeah, a Toa Tool in the hands of a Toa with full elemental energy is both a ranged weapon and a melee weapon. Superior to just a ranged weapon. :)But more to the point, the Great Beings weren't giving them weapons, but tools to be used as needed in the maintenance. They hold something as a Tool mainly because it helps them focus their elemental power. Which could be used for making land, repairing metal, shining light, using magnetics to manipulate machinery, etc. (those examples being Stone, Iron, Light, Magnetics; the list can go on).

[onionfarb]

Well, the GBs didn't really see the Toa as protectors of the Matoran, just as a specialized version of the Matoran, which were just technology to them. Their role as protectors didn't come about until they started becoming self-aware. So, when designing their equipment, the GBs were going for tools rather than weapons.

[The Iron Toa]

I'm pretty sure they were made with some defense in mind, either in case the robot was invaded or things went wrong inside (which they did). After all, they invented Rahi and probably intended for those to be wild.

[25K Now!]

Actually, the Makuta created the Rahi.But yeah, Toa Tools have ranged capabilities. They channel the powers through and tada!

[bonesiii]

Actually, the Makuta created the Rahi.

I think he's referring to the idea of Rahi, which I'm pretty sure the GBs did invent. Remember those "first Rahi" that Mavrah had? BS01 says the GBs made those.Anywho...