Alternatives to bows

[LokiDR]

2. There is a precedent for a single roll representing multiple attacks, with the multishot feat, or with autofire weapons in D20 Modern. In one of those instances, the two arrows have to penetrate DR separately. In the other, the three bullets count as one hit. I admit, my solution isn't factored into the rules as smoothly as I'd like, but the fix is simple. A single shot has multiple rolls for attack and damage, true, but when that arrow hits, the DR slows it down, so every one of the damage rolls is lessened. I don't know. It sounds fine to me.

Ignoring d20 modern, as it just follows a different concept than D&D, lets look at manyshot. This hack feat, first published in the epic handbook, allows you to string and fire 2 (or more) arrows and use one attack to fire them. That is multiple arrows, so the DR issue is clear. Also, the feat should require different attack rolls, so Robin Hood style double shot works out.

D&D isn't nearly as abstract as other RPGs.

 

[irdeggman]

Put speed on the crossbow and the wielder gains an extra attack a round when using the full attack action.

Add some bolts with keen or seeking ability and you have a pretty wicked combo.

 

[Vlos]

As C47 mentioned the Chakram.

Now lets take this and apply a little custom fantasy rule.

Similar to Xena when she throws the weapon, it can bounce around to different targets. This takes skill and someone picking up a Chakram just doesn't have the skill to use it like this.

Feat: Skilled Chakram Thrower.

Description:
A skill Chakram thrower can throw it in such a way as to bounce the Chakram off multiple targets. This is done by spinning the Chakram and angling it just right.

Effect:
A player with this feat can use a Full Attack option to hit multiple targets. Each first target must be within the Chakram range and each subsiquent target must be within the Chakram range - 5' per jump.

The player can attempt to hit a number of targets equal to their number of attacks. Each attempt at hitting a target is made at the attack role equivalent to the attack rating for that attack.


For Example:
A player with with 3 attacks throws the Chakram. The first target is at the players first BAB with appropriate bonues added for DEX and magic. The next attack is usually at a -5 to the first attack. And the third attack is a -10 to the first attack.



Other Feats:

Multi-Strike: Allows to add one extra target with a -2 to all attack roles.
Hit Everyone: Hits everyone in sight.(same a similar arrow feat)
Point Blank Shot: (just adjust range to like 20' or maybe 15')


Other notes:
Player could hit a target further than normal, but would require to hit a solid surface inbetween (using up a single attack).


You could have it as a racial weapon for a particular race, thus to use it as a base weapon the player wouldn't need a special feat.

Just some initial thoughts.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Similar to Xena when she throws the weapon, it can bounce around to different targets. This takes skill and someone picking up a Chakram just doesn't have the skill to use it like this.

How many feats does it take to throw it so that it slices through the ropes on someone's wrists without drawing blood, sunders a row of sword blades, knocks someone out without drawing blood, splits in half to fly around an obstacle, and recombines just before arriving back at the thrower's hand?

-Hyp.

 

[Darklone]

How many feats does it take to throw it so that it slices through the ropes on someone's wrists without drawing blood, sunders a row of sword blades, knocks someone out without drawing blood, splits in half to fly around an obstacle, and recombines just before arriving back at the thrower's hand?

-Hyp.

One feat. Prerequisite: You're Batman.

 

[Steverooo]

How many feats does it take to throw it so that it slices through the ropes on someone's wrists without drawing blood,

Zero. This just requires a To-Hit roll of AC+5, to hit such a small area.

sunders a row of sword blades,

Zero. Not only are the Chakrams magical, they are also adamantine.

knocks someone out without drawing blood,

Zero. To-Hit -4, as you are using the "flat of the blade", and not the edge, to hit them with... Just like ftanging someone over the top of the head with the flat of your machete, instead of slicing them up with the sharp edge.

splits in half to fly around an obstacle, and recombines just before arriving back at the thrower's hand?

Hey, they were originally two chakrams, of Good & Evil, before Xena put them together to stop Ares from claiming them and using them for Theo-Genicide... They ought to have a few special properties, as Artifacts or Relics!

On the crossbows, however, there's also the Crossbow of Kings. +3 Crossbow of Speed, Distance, and... something else (I fergitz)! That would be good for a crossbow specialist, especially if you added a Homebrew "Speedy Reloading" enchantment...

[EDIT: Repeating was the other enchantment... Does that still exist, in 3.5e? It automatically reloads, for you!...]

Also, since most heavy crossbows were stirrup-cocked, you could rule that anyone with Martial Weapons Proficiency and STR X+ could recock the crossbow BY HAND, thus not needing to lower it to the ground and stick their foot in it, thus allowing the normal rate of fire, so long as they have a high enough STR.... This is basically the same as a bow, except that Non-Fighters will be less likely to be able to use it (lacking both STR & Martial Weapons Proficiency).

 

[Hypersmurf]

Zero. This just requires a To-Hit roll of AC+5, to hit such a small area.

Yeah, but how do you get it to ricochet off the wrists - and it can't be hitting with the flat, since it needed the edge to slice the ropes - softly enough that it doesn't break the skin, but still have enough power on the rebound to cut through steel without slowing down?

-Hyp.

 

[Darklone]

Darklone starts to sing: "It's a kind of magic...."

 

[Steverooo]

Yeah, but how do you get it to ricochet off the wrists - and it can't be hitting with the flat, since it needed the edge to slice the ropes - softly enough that it doesn't break the skin, but still have enough power on the rebound to cut through steel without slowing down?

It doesn't ricochet off the wrists, since it never hit them... Depending on how the wrists are held, it could slice the ropes off the tops as it passes through (ignoring Hardness less than 20). Or, if the wrists are held up, it can pass between them, at an angle, missing the body. Or, it could slice the ropes, then strike the wrists with the flat, and bounce up. Or Xena could put the proper "english" on it, to control its spin so that it moves as desired...

As for how it can continue its flight, it is magical, and can Fly. It is a pair of weapons of the gods, after all. Maybe it's intelligent, and flies as directed.

Now how does a Bodak kill with a glance?

 

[Bauglir]

Hit Everyone: Hits everyone in sight.(same a similar arrow feat)

Eep. Armies of kobolds fear you!