Re-thinking Brutal Weapons

[epicbob]

...which takes care of the minimum damage, but will make max damage much less likely (1 in 64 chance instead of 1 in 10). Doesn't feel brutal to me, but your mileage may vary.

that also applies to the minimum damage.

ultimately, it depends on whether you prefer stable damage or higher chances of extreme damage.

in a way, you could say it's brutal because it ALWAYS deals good damage while a normal weapon will vary between good and bad.

EDIT Nov. 28 : i tried a bunch of dice rolls with multiple small dice vs one big die.

i tested a 3d3 vs 1d10.

i took the time to program a number generator in excel to have a larger sample.

the big die provides higher peaks but over time, the multiple small dice has the greater total.

if i add bonus points to simulate rerolls, it's about even.

 

[Safari]

I have another option, its easy and gives the exactly the same damage as the old mechanic:
- When the player rolls 1 or 2, add 6 to the damage total.

The formula works for every brutal weapon:
- When the player rolls (brutal value) add 1/2 * [W] to the damage total.

Mathwise damage is the same:

1d12 add six on 1,2: (7+8+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12)/12 = 7.5 (avg damage)

1d10+2: (3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12)/10 = 7.5 (avg. damage)

1d12 reroll 1,2 (7.5+7.5+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12)/12 =7.5 (avg. damage)

My players are happy with this, because they get a bonus when they roll low, and it prevents multiple rerolls.

 

[epicbob]

only odd thing is that 7 and 8 get double the chance of popping up.

the other methods still give every number an even chance.

 

[Paramombi]

I'm afraid I've dumped the "execution axe" into the same stupid bin as the double weapons . Any axe bigger than a greataxe is going to be way too clumsy to use .

 

[Keenberg]

I'm afraid I've dumped the "execution axe" into the same stupid bin as the double weapons . Any axe bigger than a greataxe is going to be way too clumsy to use .

This is a debate of realism versus theatricality. As players or DMs, we choose what kind of game we want. I personally don't run games that are based in reality... it's a fantasy game. The 4e player's handbook and DM guides remind us that the PC's are what legends are made of. Giving a PC an Execution Axe to swing around in battle might be awkward for the man-in-the-street, but the premises of a 4e D&D hero is that they are semi-superhuman. I think a D&D hero would be well-capable of training themselves to use something a bit out of the ordinary.

 

[Stalker0]

Keep in mind that with option 2, you have to do d10+2 PER [W] to keep the math the same.


So a 3[W] axe attack does 3d10+6 + other mods.