Mercurial Weapons -- good idea or bad idea?

[Painfully]

I'm asking this for the benefit of my players. I personally find mercurial weapons to be rather silly and am opposed to introducing them into the game.

So have other DMs/players out there discussed this already? Give me your two cents, pros and cons, etc. I promised my players I would consider the feedback here before I finally prohibit...I mean finally decide whether to allow mercurial weapons IMC.

 

[Hygric]

Well, I will never allow them in games that I run. Not because of balance issues, but because IMHO they fit into the "incredibly bloody stupid" category of stuf, much like the dire flail.

 

[Zappo]

Too silly for me. Banned.

I've got nothing against powerful weapons (greatsword), and nothing against silly weapons (dire flail), but I just can't see weapons that are both powerful AND silly. I find it nice if a guy every now and then is met who wields a dire flail, but I can't stand the idea of heaps of people running around with mercurial greatswords.

 

[Eternalknight]

I do allow them. If my players wanna waste gold and a feat on them, well that's there own problem!

 

[Quip]

I posted an alternate version of mercurial weapons a while back in house rules, basically just changed the name and flavor text. I called them Dire Swords, but any name could do. They're the kinds that have wierd shapes, extra blades, spikes, jagged edges, etc. Idea was that they could do a lot of damage but it was more difficult to do so.

I think its the way to go if you dont have a problem with them mechanically. Plus the character can describe the freaky looking sword however they want.

 

[Vaxalon]

Considering that Weapon Specialization gives +2 damage for a feat, I see nothing wrong with "Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Mercurial Greataxe" giving what amounts to +1 damage.

 

[Celtavian]

Re

Personally, I think they are a stupid idea. I never allow them in my game unless they are custom made and the person has the proper skills to even think of getting one custom made.

 

[tleilaxu]

bad

 

[Ruvion]

I second that...bad.

 

[Wormwood]

Bad.

Sword and Fist strikes again.