New Weapon Design Help

[Khaalis]

If any of you have read the Cleric Quintet (FR) you will recognize the idea I have here - similar to Cadderly's Hand Crossbow.

Basically, what I am trying to design is the stats on a series of Crossbows that would allow the firing of special bolts that are designed to hold a Potion Vial in the shaft, and that when striking the opponent, do some piercing damage, but the impact also releases the potion stored within.

This concept goes on the idea that potions can be thrown like Grenade weapons (just like Alchemist Fire or Thunderstones).

Example: Thus if someone were to make say a Potion of Shocking Grasp, they could then hurl that potion setting off the spell effect whereever the potion hits (Grenade-lie rules apply).

This weapon would however, utilize that potion as a part of the new hollow bolt.


Standard Crossbows:
Light: 35gp, 1d8, 19-20/x2, 80', 6lb (10 bolts 1gp, 1lb)
Heavy: 50gp, 1d10, 19-20/x2, 120', 9lb (10 bolts 1gp, 1lb)
Hand: 100gp, 1d4, 19-20/x2, 30', 3lb (10 bolts 1gp, 1lb)


Since I think the weapon itself would have to accomodate a slightly heavier and wider bolt, it would be slightly different than a standard version crossbow. The crossbow itself would have to be slightly wider, and have a slightly stronger bow. The bolts would be heavier and harder to propell, thus causing less damage and shorter range.

Thus I am thinking of the following changes.


Alchemist's Crossbow

Light: 50gp, 1d6, 19-20/x2, 60', 7lb (10 Alchemist bolts 10gp, 2lb)

Heavy: 75gp, 1d8, 19-20/x2, 90', 11lb (10 Alchemist bolts 10gp, 2lb)

Hand: 150gp, 1d3, 19-20/x2, 20', 4lb. (10 Alchemist bolts 10gp, 2lb)


Thoughts, comments, suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Aaron2]

I'd probably ditch the hand version and reduce the range increments a little further. Maybe 20' for light and 40' for heavy. The reduced range won't have much inpact on normal combat but will create a more reasonable maximum range.

A +2 arrows costs about 150 gp. A crossbow bolt with a shocking grasp potion is only 50gp. So its 1d10+2 vs 2d8+1 damage. That's pretty good, casting touch attacks at range (which is what this device does) is a big deal.


Aaron

 

[Khaalis]

A +2 arrows costs about 150 gp. A crossbow bolt with a shocking grasp potion is only 50gp. So its 1d10+2 vs 2d8+1 damage. That's pretty good, casting touch attacks at range (which is what this device does) is a big deal.

1st thanks for the comments.

Second, I'm not really sure what you mean here.
An arrow +2 comes to 167gp
Shocking Grasp (1st level spell x min caster level 3 x 50gp) = 150gp

Just about the same cost. The potion may do more damage (save dependant), but has much shorter range and less chance of hitting. So I think they balance versus a +2 Arrow.

As for the Casting At Range, also keep in mind that a Lot of spells will be having their ranged Reduced by being used this way. Shock Grasp was just an example. Say lets use Potion of Blindness. That would normally have a range of 130'.

Thanks again.

 

[Aaron2]

Originally posted by Khaalis
Shocking Grasp (1st level spell x min caster level 3 x 50gp) = 150gp

The minimum caster level for a first level spell is 1, not 3. 1*1*50=50. Another example would be a bolt of ILW, also 50 gp for 1d8+1 damage.


Aaron

 

[Khaalis]

Ok, I see what you mean on the potion minimum level. Technically a potion can be made at the minimum level required to cast the spell, but you have to be a 3rd level caster before you can make potions.

I'm still not sure how I feel on that rule. My general feeling is not to let players dummy down. If you're 3rd level, cast it at 3rd level.
I guess I can see the need to dummy down, just not sure I like it.

Also, the magical +1 Bolt has the advantages over the potion bolt in that it gets +1 to hit, +1 to damage, overcomes DR/+1, and has a chance to be retrievable. I think that balances the cost difference.

 

[Technik4]

In case youre interested....

Wizards actually did a little tribute piece to Cleric Quintet.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/fr/deneir

Covers rules for Chosen of Deneir, Cadderly's Stats (20th level cleric), and some of his more unique weapons: blowgun, spindle-thing, exploding bolt oil, etc.

Technik

 

[Khaalis]

Thanks for the link Technik4. I am horrible about going and digging through the zillion WotC webpages looking to see if anything has ever been done.

Its great info but they dont mention the Poiton Bolts.
The oil is nice, but not what was used in the quintet. I specifically remember him designing bolt with collapsable points to break the contents. Still great info though.