Greenfield
Adventurer
This is another attempt to provoke a little thought and discussion, in a system-independent way.
In D&D 3.0 magical bonuses to bows and arrows stacked. They ended that in 3.5
The difference was interesting. I pick these versions because the systems were similar enough that a comparison is fairly valid.
In both editions the maximum bonus on a weapon was +5 to hit and damage. You could add other properties like Flaming or Frost, but the base was limited.
But in 3.0 a person could get an effective +10 by using a +5 bow and +5 arrows. It gave missile weapons a severe edge.
In 3.5 they declared that magical weapons and ammunition didn't stack any more. Brought them into closer balance with melee weapons, but in the process they made magical ammunition all but obsolete. Why pay an extra 2k on 50 magic arrows when that same cash would get you a +1 bow, allowing you that bonus on every arrow you ever fire.
Some have suggested that the stacking effect was allowed in order to make up for the fact that Attack of Opportunity was available with Melee weapons, but not Missile weapons.
What are your thoughts? Should they stack? If not, is there any real reason for players to acquire or even care about magical ammunition?
In D&D 3.0 magical bonuses to bows and arrows stacked. They ended that in 3.5
The difference was interesting. I pick these versions because the systems were similar enough that a comparison is fairly valid.
In both editions the maximum bonus on a weapon was +5 to hit and damage. You could add other properties like Flaming or Frost, but the base was limited.
But in 3.0 a person could get an effective +10 by using a +5 bow and +5 arrows. It gave missile weapons a severe edge.
In 3.5 they declared that magical weapons and ammunition didn't stack any more. Brought them into closer balance with melee weapons, but in the process they made magical ammunition all but obsolete. Why pay an extra 2k on 50 magic arrows when that same cash would get you a +1 bow, allowing you that bonus on every arrow you ever fire.
Some have suggested that the stacking effect was allowed in order to make up for the fact that Attack of Opportunity was available with Melee weapons, but not Missile weapons.
What are your thoughts? Should they stack? If not, is there any real reason for players to acquire or even care about magical ammunition?