Some weapons don't just do a random number of points of abstract damage. Some have their own special look-up tables of unusual damage effects, including such wonders as crippling limbs, setting people on fire, and removing heads. Clearly, if you can get your hands on such a weapon, this is far superior to "2d6 points of damage".

Not necessarily because it's more dangerous in game terms, but just because it's so much cooler.

Also, if your character is about to die, do not forget your facing the bullets one-liner. You want to die with style, after all.

Transcript

[SFX]: Whooom!
[SFX]: 19! {Dookû attacks}
[SFX]: Krzkzkzk!
[SFX]: 3! {Obi-Wan defends}
GM: Oh dear. Let me check the laser sword damage table.
GM: Dismemberment, decapitation, bisection, impalement, single limb loss, extremity loss...
Obi-Wan: Eep.
[SFX]: Whooom!
[SFX]: Whooom!
GM: Dookû rolls... minor graze to your left shoulder.
[SFX]: Whooom!
[SFX]: Szzzt!
Obi-Wan: Phew.
Count Dookû: Aha, first blood to moi! And to zink, Ah was afraid of you.
GM: Take 27 damage.
Obi-Wan: I... um... collapse. The arena took a lot out of me.
Count Dookû: Now, tahm for ze coop-de-grah!
Obi-Wan: You mean coup de grâce. Which is already French, you realise.
Count Dookû: Ah shall not suffair your insolence any longair!
[SFX]: Whooom! {Anakin leaps to the rescue}
[SFX]: Whooom! {Dookû attempts a killing blow on Obi-Wan}
[SFX]: Krzkzkzk! {Anakin interposes his sword}
Anakin: I have another French term for you. En passant!