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Monkey archery

Asmor

First Post
Silly question...

Can a druid in wildshape (or a chimp or similar monkey) use a bow?

If so, what penalties (or bonuses?) would apply?

Oh, and suppose the monkey happened to be mounted on a wolf trained to let it ride it?
 

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Asmor said:
Silly question...

Can a druid in wildshape (or a chimp or similar monkey) use a bow?

If so, what penalties (or bonuses?) would apply?

Oh, and suppose the monkey happened to be mounted on a wolf trained to let it ride it?
I don't know enough about monkeys to say definitively, but I'd start off saying no. Chimps don't have the build to properly fire a bow (though I'd allow a sling.) They also don't (as far as I know) have the musculature.

Not being an expert, I'd be open to being convinced otherwise, but that'd be my starting ruling.
 


If Monkey can do it, so can a monkey. Go for it, I say.

monkey10075.jpg
 



Lord Pendragon said:
I don't know enough about monkeys to say definitively, but I'd start off saying no. Chimps don't have the build to properly fire a bow (though I'd allow a sling.) They also don't (as far as I know) have the musculature.

A chimp is an Ape, not a Monkey. That said, I think the -4 would be apropriate due to the different shape, and an additional -4 if the size was wrong. It's not only strength, I think shape would be a problem -- draw length, for example.
 

As an aside, I remember playing Curse of the Azure Bonds (old TSR computer game) and in the Thieves guild you have to fight slinging firing monkeys. They were annoying as hell.

As for bows, I doubt an ape would have the necessary build to fire one.
 

eh, they have hands and fingers, I'd allow it np.

I would even allow things with psuedopods and such fire a properly made bow, but I dont see a bow being different enough for something of such a similar build to a person to need any special abilities.

If the druid buys a bow to take into account the higher str of the new form then he wont be able to use it well when not in that form, tradeoffs.

Where is the problem? arms, fingers, no gross anatomy to get in the way really. They can use pretty much any equipment that a human could. (there could be a penalty for size problem of course, but that is normal, even humans and halflings have some differences in structure, but I dont think anyone would have a problem with them useing each others bow with the size penalty, or a dwarf ;) ).
 

Apes cannot stand indefinitely like humans can, firing a bow would be difficult and imbalancing most likely. I would go ahead and say no unless you make a feat to allow a monkey to do so. Look under the polymorph spell to see if you retain proficencies. If you retain them then allow a feat or something.
 

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