Magic Ammunition Costs

[Caredoc]

A dart, as described in D&D, is basically just a tiny arrow. I don't see why it would be any more durable.

Same for javelins -- they're going to break pretty quickly, too.

 

[maybeso]

Do these pricing rules apply to javelins, as well?

How about something like bolas?

As far as I can tell, no. The * line under table 8-10 says "arrows, crossbow bolts, or sling bullets."

look here: http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/srd/srdmagicitemsweapons.rtf

for the SRD magic weapon section. The first table is table 8-10, it just isn't labelled.

the good news is that javelins and bolas are not on this list:
SRD//
Magic Ammunition and Breakage
When a magic arrow, crossbow bolt, or sling bullet misses its target, there is a 50% chance it breaks or otherwise is rendered useless. A magic arrow, bolt, or bullet that hits is destroyed
//SRD

so they are reusable unless their description says otherwise, like the javelins of lightning which say "It is consumed in the attack".

On the other hand it would stink to have the BBEG pull your screaming, flaming, keen javelin out of his chest and, err, give it back to you...

 

[Caredoc]

On the other hand it would stink to have the BBEG pull your screaming, flaming, keen javelin out of his chest and, err, give it back to you...

There's only one solution: make it a screaming, flaming, keen, returning javelin.

 

[Caredoc]

Also: I retract what I said about darts and javelins breaking. Silly me, I was confusing d20 with reality.

 

[Staffan]

Javelins and darts are basically smaller spears, not arrows. They're supposedly reasonably sturdy, at least compared to arrows.

 

[Robbert Raets]

Query: Could one launch a dart with a crossbow or regular ol' bow? I think it wouldn't be a stretch for an archer to have one or two unbreakable magic arrows for, er, 'special occasions'.

Hmm?

 

[kreynolds]

Query: Could one launch a dart with a crossbow or regular ol' bow?

In real life? Maybe. In D&D? No. Crossbows fire bolts, not darts.

 

[Murrdox]

A gnomish artificer could create a magical Javalin or Dart launching device! Then they'd be ammunition!

Still wouldn't break though!

 

[Robbert Raets]

You sure mr. Dox?

 

[Murrdox]

You sure mr. Dox?

Sure thing. Just look at the Gnome Artificer prestige class in Magic of Faerun. Create a device which duplicates the effect of the "Launch Item" spell, also included in that book. Load your "Weapon" with Javalins, and boom, you've got a Javalin launcher.