Ineffective weapons

[iwatt]

From th [3.0] PHb, pg 135

Ineffective Weapons: The DM may determine that certain weapons
just can’t deal damage effectively to certain objects. For example, you
will have a hard time chopping down a door by shooting arrows at it
or cutting a rope with a club.

I've seen alot of posts arguing about how doors don't last against a fighter with Power Attack. Which taking into acount the hardness rules and hitpoints is quite accurate unless the DM applies the above rule. I have a hard time believing a Fighter would actually use his greatsword to chop at the door. I'd judge an axe, or even a hammer is a lot more efficient at this, though a hammer striking steel would probably just rebound. What weapons do you judge "effective" at damaging doors?

 

[kreynolds]

What weapons do you judge "effective" at damaging doors?

Depends on the door...and the weapon...and the weapon material...

 

[LokiDR]

What weapons do you judge "effective" at damaging doors?

Any slashing or bludegeoning weapon, in general. I would disallow arrows, rapiers, shuriken, and like weapons. Other than that, it depends on the situation. Most cases I would let hardness and damage handle the problems.

[edit] I meant bludegeoning, not piercing. Oops.

 

[Darklone]

Most hammers ARE piercing weapons.

Rapiers against doors?

Against a steel door, anything but a hammer will produce a broken/blunted weapon.

 

[Marimmar]

I'd say that magic weapons are 'hard' enough to slice even through steel doors.

Steel Door
Hazard CR1
hp: 60, hardness 10, DR 10/axes
special: deals 15 points of damage to any weapon other than axes that are bashed against it full force.

~Marimmar

 

[LokiDR]

Most hammers ARE piercing weapons.

Um, no.

 [color=red]
Weapon	Cost         Damage	Critical	IncrementWeight	Type
------	----	------	--------	---------	------	----
Hammer, light 1 gp	1d4	X2	20 ft.	2 lb.	(B)
[/color]

Clubs, maces, hammers, and moringstar are all bludegeoning. But I did mistype, I meand bludegeoning, not piercing. Will edit in a moment.

Rapiers against doors?

Against a steel door, anything but a hammer will produce a broken/blunted weapon.

Watch any sword-swinging anime. There are many characters who cut through steel or stone because they are good. I have heard of katana demonstrations where metal object are neatly sliced.

The hardness 10 is supposed to stop the simple longsword wielders. Note, this hardness (not DR) applies to all weapons. It isn't easy to bash down an iron door by any means.