Bow of True Arrows (Sword & fist)

[CsonTep]

A spell-trigger item (like this weapon or a wand) requires the user to have the spell on the user's spell list, taking a partial or standard action to activate.


So, this bow has a +1 enhancement bonus to attacks and damage, and if the archer has a Strength of 13 or higher can add an additional +1 bonus to damage (this is not an enhancement bonus). In addition, if the archer is a spell-caster with the True Strike on its class spell list, the spell may be activated as a partial action or standard action and the next arrow (fired on the next round) will gain the benefits of the spell, +20 insight bonus to the attack roll and any concealed targets not benifiting from a miss chance.

KDM27

 

[NewJeffCT]

but a wand triger is not nesesary a standar action. the DMG says that the wand's triger is usually an standar action. So i thought that this would be one of those exceptions.

Now when the book says

"...[FONT=&quot]which the wielder can activate with a spell trigger[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot](as with a wand)..."
i think "yes it has a spell triger like when you activate a wand, that has a triger too".

Then.. the text continue

"...[/FONT][FONT=&quot]The wielder gains the benefits of[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]the spell only when shooting an arrow from the bow..."

So i think "oh now the triger.. I gain the benefit when i shot an arrow so triger the only one triger is shooting an arrow cause it says that is only when shooting an arrow from the bow and not pointin the targer with the bow like would be with a wand."

So i Think that these 2 lines are about the "triger"
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]

If it did not require a standard action, the rule for the bow would likely note the exception (i.e., unlike a normal trigger item, this item's trigger only needs a Swift action to activate) - so, I would require it to use a standard action to trigger.

 

[Herobizkit]

If it did not require a standard action, the rule for the bow would likely note the exception (i.e., unlike a normal trigger item, this item's trigger only needs a Swift action to activate) - so, I would require it to use a standard action to trigger.

At the time of the printing of S&F, Swift actions did not exist. As stated earlier, however, you need to be a spellcaster with True Strike on your list to use the True Strike effect. The flavor text even mentions a prestige class that require multiclassing into at least one level of Mage/Sorc.

 

[NewJeffCT]

At the time of the printing of S&F, Swift actions did not exist. As stated earlier, however, you need to be a spellcaster with True Strike on your list to use the True Strike effect. The flavor text even mentions a prestige class that require multiclassing into at least one level of Mage/Sorc.

True - but, it might have said "Free Action" or "Move Action" in 3.0, instead of Swift or Immediate, instead of the normal Standard.

 

[kevin_video]

I actually got my DM to say a couple of things about this bow because I currently play a Ranger, and I'd like to know more about it myself. This is what he had to say:

It's badly overpriced.

Composite longbow: 100 gp
+1 Str bonus: 100 gp
Truestrike, spell trigger, unlimited: 1 (spell level) x 1 (caster level) x 750 (spell trigger) = 750, x 2 (as if it had 100 charges for unlimited) = 1,500

The bow shouldn't cost more than 1,700 gp.

I wouldn't give any kind of discount for true strike only working with the bow because it's the bow that you're going to attack with. But spell trigger is a standard action to use, so you would cast true strike one round and fire an arrow next round. And whoever uses it has to have true strike on their spell list. And as soon as that bow is magical, it costs 1.5 x more for a secondary ability, so it would cost 2,250 gp.

Now here's my question. If you have True Strike on your person, does that mean that you cast the spell and therefore lose it? If that's the case, wouldn't it just have been viable to have cast it yourself instead of making a bow like this? Or does it just mimic it?

 

[Herzog]

Ok, read this and have some comment:

1. Having the ability to cast true strike and gain a +20 on your attacks unlimited times per day is insane. Even if it is only every other round. I would never allow this in my games, and find the price rediculously low.
That said:
2. IIRC (If I Remember Correctly) 3.0 didn't require magical bonusses before adding magical effects. The bow seems to be a '+1 mighty composite longbow', which simply means you get to benefit from a strength bonus of maximum +1 on your damage when using this bow. There is no mention of a magical bonus to attack and/or damage apart from the true strike.
3. Using a spell trigger item requires you to have the spell on your class list. This doesn't mean you need to have it prepared, or in case of a sorcerer, doesn't even mean you need to know the spell. It simply means the spell 'True Strike' must be available (as mentioned in the 'Level' entry of the spell) to (one of) your class(es).
If you do NOT have the spell on your class list, you may attempt to activate the ability using Use Magic Device, if you have ranks in it! (and it isn't prohibited. almost forgot that little 3.0 tidbit)
4. Using a spell trigger item takes a standard action unless specified otherwise. There is no mention of the action it takes, thus it takes a standard action.