How long to envenom a weapon?

[Joshua Randall]

How long does it take to envenom a weapon from a vial of poison?

Quaffing a potion is a standard action, so I'm assuming envenoming a weapon is about the same. But, does anyone have an official ruling?

 

[CCamfield]

I'd expect it would take longer to spread or pour poison onto a weapon than it would take to chug a potion. If it can be done in combat, I'd think of it as a full round action.

 

[Joshua Randall]

Yes, that's a good point for bladed weapons. What about just dunking your arrow or crossbow bolt into a vial of poison (that you already have ready)? Are there any official rulings on envenoming weapons at all, or should I have posted this in house rules instead?

 

[Stalker0]

I'd go with a full round action to envenom. Any faster and you risk poisoning yourself.

 

[Jondor_Battlehammer]

Let's see, opening a breakable or otherwise small vial of toxic and exspensive poison. Add coating it to a sharp blade with a fantasy version of a Q-tip, ensuring full coverage on the weapon. All the while making sure not to nick yourself. I'd say one full round action per point of base damage on the weapon. Plus a reflex save, DC 10 each round, 15 if it's a contact poison. In other words, not in the middle of combat.


*P.S. I actually think I'm being nice. How long IRL would it take to evenly coat the blade of a sword? I'd say at least a minute.*

 

[Fade]

I'd say a few minutes for a dagger or sword. Much faster for say a blowdart.

Why not poison it in the sheathe, then wax it closed to prevent air spoilage?

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Standard action, I say. You don't have to apply the poison to every single square inch, you just open the vial and pour the stuff over the weapon. And you always have the usual risk of poisoning yourself (unless you have save poison use as class ability or probably feat).
Once applied, the poison remains potent infinitely (by the rules, everything else will be house rule).
Stuff like blowgun needles, darts, arrows or bolts would be poisoned beforehand, and stored in an extra quiver (or whatever), so that would take no extra time in the fight.