Hey DMs, I have a question about the working of an exotic weapon, the harpoon (Sword and Fist p.73)
In particular how much damage is done when the harpoon is pulled out of the target.
"The harpooned creature can pull the harpoon from its wound if it has two hands free and takes a full round action to do so, but in doing so it inflicts on itself damage equal the initial damage the harpoon caused.
If you hit with the harpoon and do 8 points of damage and the target removes the harpoon, it takes another 8 points of damage."
Ok that sound pretty straight forward, the same damage coming out than coming in. We though got caught up with what 'initial damage' really means.
Lets say a Ogre is hit for 12 points, 8 for base damage, 3 for strength and 1 for sneak attack.
The argument was given that the creature pulling the harpoon out wouldn't pull as hard as the strength damage that forced the harpoon in. Ditto for the sneak attack. So the damage coming out is just the base. There is a realistic point here, the damage might be different because of the particular strength of the harponee vs. harpooner
The rule seems worded to be vague on purpose to avoid these problems of realism.
What do you all think?
Thanks
In particular how much damage is done when the harpoon is pulled out of the target.
"The harpooned creature can pull the harpoon from its wound if it has two hands free and takes a full round action to do so, but in doing so it inflicts on itself damage equal the initial damage the harpoon caused.
If you hit with the harpoon and do 8 points of damage and the target removes the harpoon, it takes another 8 points of damage."
Ok that sound pretty straight forward, the same damage coming out than coming in. We though got caught up with what 'initial damage' really means.
Lets say a Ogre is hit for 12 points, 8 for base damage, 3 for strength and 1 for sneak attack.
The argument was given that the creature pulling the harpoon out wouldn't pull as hard as the strength damage that forced the harpoon in. Ditto for the sneak attack. So the damage coming out is just the base. There is a realistic point here, the damage might be different because of the particular strength of the harponee vs. harpooner
The rule seems worded to be vague on purpose to avoid these problems of realism.
What do you all think?
Thanks