Buying a Weapon Proficiency, and 3d6 dmg weapon

[Tagnik]

Don't tell my DM this, but sometimes I think he's a moron.

We have a player in our gaming group who always suggests outrageous things and usually gets what he wants because he makes up these RP reasons and what not.

Apparently our DM has a very low "Sense-Motive" skill because sometimes he's a total stickler, up until the point this player suggests just about anything.

In this case he spent 1k xp, and 3k gold to "buy" an Exotic Weapon Proficiency.

He's a level 5 Monk.

Its a 150lb Iron Ball and Chain with a 10 ft. Chain he likes to call the "Mangy Duck".

He found a ... Ball and Chain expert (rolls eyes) and spent the XP and Gold to learn this....

This made me pretty furious because I just took a level of fighter for an Exotic Weapon Proficiency in Bladed Gauntlets. Had I known I could have simply "bought" it, I might have taken something else.

By the way, the "Mangy Duck" does 3d6 damage and is usually thrown.

Thanks,
Frustrated Player.

 

[Fenes 2]

In that case, speak up to your DM. Tell him the same you told us, and demand that you too can buy your exotic weapon proficiency, preferably with a bladed mithril gauntlet that does 6d6 dmg.

A game should be fair. If a player gets a special break, then any other players should be entitled to retroactively adjust their PCs as well. (Same goes, imho, for erratas and late-coming splatbooks. If something is added to an existing campaign, like feats or PrCs, then the players should be able to adjust their PCs accordingly.)

 

[kehaar]

If you think your DM is a moron, find another one.

Alternatively, make up outrageous RP reasons and enjoy wielding that huge, sure striking, holy, lawful, whatever 4d6 szweihander... and still contemplate what to do with your off hand

 

[Tagnik]

Does anyone think that buying a proficiency is plausible?

 

[Spatzimaus]

No.

The biggest problem with proficiencies in 3E is they're all-or-nothing. Proficiency with weapon A doesn't help you on weapon B, no matter how similar they are.
So, if a person wants to buy proficiency with A, it's because they want to use weapon A as their new weapon. That may not seem too bad, but realize that if that weapon isn't automatic for their class, it's either because their class isn't intended to use that weapon (casters with swords) or because it's exotic.

Either way, it should require a Feat, and Feats aren't anywhere NEAR that cheap. Most characters only get 7 Feats over their non-Epic lifetimes, after all, and items that bestow Feats seem to cost around 10k per (see other thread on that topic), take up a slot, and you lose the Feat when you take it off.

So, let's see, my objections in order:
> No, I wouldn't let people buy a permanent ability that otherwise requires a Feat. Likewise, I wouldn't let a person trade XP for Feats.
> No, I wouldn't let you get an EWP even if it was in a non-permanent form (like an item). These Feats are meant to represent extensive, specialized training, not the sort of thing you instantly get in an item.
> No, 1k XP and 3k gold is WAY too cheap.
> No, you can't carry around a 150lb weight indefinitely.
> I don't care how high you rolled for your STR, you can't throw a 150lb weight very hard. Sure, if it hit me it'd do damage, but I'd have plenty of time to dodge it.
> If you wanted to swing it around: if you only weigh 200 lbs you can't swing a 150lb weight around you in a circle, the inertia would knock you off your feet every time.
> If you threw a 150-lb rock, you couldn't just hold onto the chain to pull it back. First, it'd pull you off your feet when it reached the end of the chain. Second, dragging 150 pounds back 10' takes time, during which your opponent kills you.
> No, I'd never add a weapon to the game that a medium-sized person could use that did 3d6 base damage unless it had a huge drawback..

 

[Stalker0]

He spent 1000 xp on it, so in item creation cost that's 25,000 gold, added on to the gold he spent. Not enough for such a powerful weapon.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

Does anyone think that buying a proficiency is plausible?

No. If he wants an exotic weapon proficiency, he should should spend a feat for it.

And the weapon you describe is rediculous. A large giant's rocks only weigh 40 or 50 pounds. Isn't the spiked chain good enough for him? As harsh as it may sound, I am inclined to agree with your assessment of your DM in this particular case.

 

[Tagnik]

Because its so big it does Area affect dmg by the way...


Now I'm wondering..

How much would it cost to get a magic item to give you a feat?

Is it possible for an EWP Feat?

Do any other weapons do this much damage without a Crit?

Didn't you have to have a Min Str for some weapons? IE Maul of the Titans? and how big is that?

 

[kreynolds]

How much would it cost to get a magic item to give you a feat?

Depends on the feat. There's another thread floating around here about this...ah....here it is.

Is it possible for an EWP Feat?

I don't see why not.

 

[Orco42]

How much would it cost to get a magic item to give you a feat?

Is it possible for an EWP Feat?

Do any other weapons do this much damage without a Crit?

There are plenty of items that give you feats. I would suggest 3,000gp for an item that grants you a EWP.

Yes there are weapons like that. A Heavy [FR] Merc. 2 Hander[S&F] does 4d6 damage. Of course you have to use 2 non-core books.