"It could be one of those old wives tales still going around in the game but I always assumed this was the case." -- CaveManiac
"BATTER BARRIERS: Add your strength bonus, 1/2 weapon bonus (enchantment, magic metals--NOT your weapon skill), skill bonus (+4/rank), 1/4th your level (warriors only) and a d100. Anything over 100 results in a hit, the higher the roll, the more damage done. Crit weighted weapons (such as claidhmores) and heavy weapons add to the damage done after a successful hit, while light weapons (like daggers) reduce the damage normally done. How many hits your box has is based upon the lock difficulty and modified by the box materials. When a box is opened, there is a chance for items to break, which gets lower as you get more skill." -- "Official Warrior Guild FAQ 1.0", April 23, 1997, GM Giacomo
"Batter barriers does take materials into account. The number of hit points is based on the lock difficulty, making the assumption that the person who put lock on would pay to make the chest as sturdy as he paid to make the lock.
Your chance of hitting the chest, and the amount of damage is based upon your skill roll, modified by the tool you use. Claidhmore's work real good. Things other than weapons will work, too. :) You also learn to use new tools as you progress in ranks.
One thing to be aware of, though: GS3 only remembers how much damage you did for 4 minutes from the last swing. It doesn't save with crashes or log- off/disconnects. You can get help from friends. :)
Some doors and chests are impossible to open. Well, not impossible. You just have to do 100,000 hit points of damage in ONE SWING. Ok, so it is impossible. :)" -- Cat2, Topic32, #177, Dec 30 1996, GM Giacomo
