Sling and STR bonuses

[Benjdragon]

When a character uses a sling, do they get to add their STR bonus to the damage like a thrown weapon gets?

 

[kreynolds]

I hear an echo.

Does a character using a sling get to add their STR bonus to the damage when they hit like a a thrown weapon gets?

NAFAIK. A sling is a ranged weapon that uses ammunition. The only such weapons that I'm aware of that add the wielder's Strength bonus to damage are mighty weapons, but I don't know if such a thing as a mighty sling exists.

 

[Legildur]

Sling is a projectile weapon, not a thrown weapon, therefore no strength bonus to damage.

From the SRD:

A character can use a two-handed projectile weapon (such as a bow or a crossbow) effectively in two hands. If the character has a penalty for low Strength, apply it to damage rolls when you use a bow or a sling. Add no Strength bonus to damage with a projectile weapon unless the weapon is a mighty composite shortbow or longbow.

However (heading into houserules territory here) also note that page 38 of Sword and Fist talks about halflings' racial bonus to attack rolls with thrown weapons and that slings therefore make a good choice for them.

I sought clarification from the WotC customer service people and got a response to say that you should include the strength bonus, but by the rules you shouldn't.

 

[Painfully]

The force of a blow from a sling stone comes more from the speed of the swing and the size/shape of the stone rather than the strength of the weilder. I would not allow a STR bonus, but might allow for a halfling attack bonus as a house rule.

 

[cptg1481]

I just made a sling for the monk character in my game....


I call it the Halfling War Sling.

First off it's a masterwork weapon so it's +1 to hit.

Second, it is designed so that the force of the users strength is added to the damage. This one was tailor made for the half-dragon(gold)/halfling monk who was instrumental in defending the town and the island from an army of evil invaders. His STR bonus is +5 so this "mighty" sling is +5 to damage.


It was as made by the master weaponeer in the town where player's characters live as a token of the towns appreciation of his selfless duty in defending the town.

It costs about the same as a masterwork "mighty" bow of similar bonus I say about 1000gp.

I am certain that there will be the usual responses to this item...it's simply not allowed in the rules...see page...huma, humma, humma, and on and on. While, I concede that this may well be the case, whats allowed by the core rules means very little to me in terms of an argument for or against such an item.

I simply think its cool to have unique items not allowed by the rules and I think my players like them too. It's a one of a kind weapon designed for a specific individual by a master craftsman and given as a gift.

The players can't just outright buy one....so like the rules argument, the balance argumnent means just as
little to my decision making process. As DM I can easily re-balance my game with the types of challenges and monsters I use.

Anyway, the botom line is, if you want to use a sling that allows a STR bonus to damage go for it...if not don't...it's your game, play as you like.

Rules are meant to be broken, it just feels right to me.....

 

[Dingleberry]

I like the idea of a "mighty" sling - essentially, crafted to hurl larger, heavier bullets.

 

[Zenon]

Heh, a "mighty" sling just made me think of
this

edit - Well shiver me timbers! Dang internet! Let's try this!
edit 2 - Well, that didn't work either, let me try to just paste the picture in a new post.

 

[cptg1481]

Hey Zenon


Your link won't come up?

WTFO?

 

[Zenon]

Well, let's try just posting the pic....

 

[Zarthon]

I allow characters in my games to add their Str damage to Slings, even so not many of my players use slings.