Quick 2 part weapon question

[Mathew_Freeman]

1. If I asked you whether my new fighter character could have a "greathammer" with the following stats, would you let me?

Greathammer, martial weapon, Size L, dmg d12, crit 20/x3, bludgeoning, weight (don't know - pretty heavy!)

2. Is there any historical reference for such a weapon, or am I just making it up?

Thanks.

 

[Mike Sullivan]

1. If I asked you whether my new fighter character could have a "greathammer" with the following stats, would you let me?

Greathammer, martial weapon, Size L, dmg d12, crit 20/x3, bludgeoning, weight (don't know - pretty heavy!)

Yes.

2. Is there any historical reference for such a weapon, or am I just making it up?

I doubt that there is any historical reference for a weapon such as one of the lieutenants in the first Conan movie used (a huge-headed hammer with a haft some four to five feet long). I don't think that people could effectively use that kind of weapon.

I suspect, but could not point to evidence that proves, that two-handed, unbalanced, bludgeoning weapons were used, if perhaps infrequently, in Real Life (tm).

 

[SylverFlame]

I don't see any problem with the weapon, but I definitely think it is a two handed weapon, potentially even for large creatures without the exotic weapon feat in it.

As for historical reference... Gug, way back when the wooly mammoth was the fair of choice for a saturday night, had a BIG stick with a rock strapped to the end of it. Other than this I can't think of anything. There probably was in some culture or another... The art of hitting things with big, heavy objects was something most people mastered pretty quickly.


EDIT: Sorry, miss read the damage die, you likely don't need the exotic wpn feat as a large creature. Unless, of course, you plan on uping the damage die into the next range (2d6) or higher...

 

[Maximillian]

There's nothing unbalanced about that weapon... there would be nothing unbalanced if it were 2d6 either. In either case, it's comparable to greatsword. As it stands, it's identical to Greataxe, with the damage type changed to bludgeoning.

 

[Mike Sullivan]

There's nothing unbalanced about that weapon... there would be nothing unbalanced if it were 2d6 either. In either case, it's comparable to greatsword. As it stands, it's identical to Greataxe, with the damage type changed to bludgeoning.

I don't know if you were referring to my comment, "I suspect, but could not point to evidence that proves, that two-handed, unbalanced, bludgeoning weapons were used, if perhaps infrequently, in Real Life (tm)."

But if you were, I should note that I didn't mean "unbalanced" in the sense of "rules-abusive," I mean unbalanced in the sense of "most of the weight of the weapon is down near its head."

 

[Datt]

How different would it be from the Maul that is in the Arms and Equipment guide?

Maul 15gp 1d10 X3 20lb. Bludgeoning.

Description: The maul is simply a two-handed warhammer of enormous size. Dwarves favor it.


EDIT: Oh and it is listed as a Marital weapon and not exotic.

 

[LeifVignirsson]

If you look in the Swashbuckler's AKA 7th Sea, they do have the stats for the Greathammer. I have used it myself IMC and I love it. Nothin' says lovin' like having a large chunk of granite cave in your chest... or something...

As for historical reference, even though they used other waepons, the Nosre did have people that weilded a greathammer in a tribute to Thor. Much like the Franks with their absurdly large axes, the Nosremen only had a scant few who were strong enough even to lift the hammers, much less weild them. Needless to say it wasn't a popular item... but then this is roleplaying!

 

[Maximillian]

No, Mike, I'm not refering to your comment. I meant in game terms.

Datt: I think the greathammer is odd, since it's less powerful than a greataxe, but more powerful than a greatclub... 1d12/x3 would seem appropriate to me. Greatclubs, I think, are intentionally underpowered to serve as weapons for low-tech humanoids.