Javelins?
- Thread starter elbandit
- Start date
i have- it was an old caveman adv that I was running. The people had nothing more than primitive weapons, and so javeline (shortspears) were all they had.
Yes- shortbows are better, but longbows are better than those- but wait Magic missiles are even better- oh wait- fireballs are even better than those.
There is always going to be something better than what you have now- but you have to ask yourself, "would my char have that at his disposal?" and most of the time- the answer is no.
Yes- shortbows are better, but longbows are better than those- but wait Magic missiles are even better- oh wait- fireballs are even better than those.
There is always going to be something better than what you have now- but you have to ask yourself, "would my char have that at his disposal?" and most of the time- the answer is no.
Fast Learner
First Post
My half-orc barbarian/cleric uses them all the time.
Never learned how to use a bow.
Never learned how to use a bow.
Zaruthustran
The tingling means it’s working!
If you have a high strength and you like to use a shield, two-weapons, or a two-handed weapon, then javelins rule.
They're pretty long range, they give Str bonus to dam, and you only need one free hand to draw and chuck it.
My character is a strong ranger who likes to carry a longspear in order to get reach AoOs against charging foes. He loves his javelins: let go of spear with one hand (free) draw javelin (move equivalent), throw javelin (standard), put hand back on spear (free).
-z
They're pretty long range, they give Str bonus to dam, and you only need one free hand to draw and chuck it.
My character is a strong ranger who likes to carry a longspear in order to get reach AoOs against charging foes. He loves his javelins: let go of spear with one hand (free) draw javelin (move equivalent), throw javelin (standard), put hand back on spear (free).
-z
Last edited:
Fast Learner
First Post
Yup, two-handed weapon here, too. Cuts down on all that sheathing, and the +4 strength bonus is essential.
Elder-Basilisk
First Post
I've played several characters who used javalins. The logic goes like this:
1. The characters rarely use ranged weapons
2. Most of the characters' encounters are at relatively close range
3. The characters have high strength bonusses
4. The characters are not high enough level to have multiple attacks
5. The characters have limited cash
Putting all of these together, javalins are clear winners vis a vis shortbows and even longbows.
1. Means that the character's main purchase priorities will be melee weapons and armor.
2. Means that the javalin's short range will be largely irrelevant.
3. Means that javalins will actually do more damage than shortbows or even longbows (the exception being mighty composite longbows but they're quite expensive. . . .)
4. Means that the characters' attack rate doesn't suffer
5. Means that the character can't afford a mighty composite longbow.
Consequently, a javalin is a good ranged weapon that the character can buy for a couple gold and carry around in case he ever needs to engage in ranged combat.
1. The characters rarely use ranged weapons
2. Most of the characters' encounters are at relatively close range
3. The characters have high strength bonusses
4. The characters are not high enough level to have multiple attacks
5. The characters have limited cash
Putting all of these together, javalins are clear winners vis a vis shortbows and even longbows.
1. Means that the character's main purchase priorities will be melee weapons and armor.
2. Means that the javalin's short range will be largely irrelevant.
3. Means that javalins will actually do more damage than shortbows or even longbows (the exception being mighty composite longbows but they're quite expensive. . . .)
4. Means that the characters' attack rate doesn't suffer
5. Means that the character can't afford a mighty composite longbow.
Consequently, a javalin is a good ranged weapon that the character can buy for a couple gold and carry around in case he ever needs to engage in ranged combat.
Elder-Basilisk said:
In addition to which the javelin is a simple weapon, whereas bows are martial weapons. That means that a [non-Elvish] Bard, Cleric, Monk, or Sorceror can use javelins without investing a feat, which he or she would have to do to use a shortbow.
Regards,
Agback
Sejs
First Post
Another benefit of javelins is that they're cheap and easy to make. This is poorly reflected in the PHB price listing of 1gp per.
Get a stick. Sharpen said stick on one end. Bam! Got yourself a javelin. Go throw it into someone, soldier! If you want to get fancy you can stamp a pointy metal bit on the end, but it's not like you're banking on getting a long life out of the things, so why bother.
Get a stick. Sharpen said stick on one end. Bam! Got yourself a javelin. Go throw it into someone, soldier! If you want to get fancy you can stamp a pointy metal bit on the end, but it's not like you're banking on getting a long life out of the things, so why bother.
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