Tentacle Sword

[VVoody]

if ne one is familliar with the book of eldritch might 1 there is a great sword called the tentacle sword. a +1 greatsword with 10ft reach. it was 4350 gp which is unfair so i made it 8k but my dm now wants to make it a standard action switch on switch off item working like a polearm when turned off ie cant hit ne thing within 5ft. what do use think?

 

[Crothian]

Sounds good for the orginal price.

 

[Darklone]

Buy a spiked chain with automatic proficiency ?

 

[Plane Sailing]

I think the tentacle sword is a really stupid idea*, and I'm astonished that Monte put it into print

But I don't suppose that is what you are asking?

The idea of a sword extending out on a tentacle and gaining reach while still being usable just sounds too silly for me to believe. It would have been far better to create a "lesser dancing" ability or something.

 

[jaded]

Plane Sailing: I agree, I just cannot wrap my head around a rubbery tentacle greatsword! maybe if it was intelligent and pseudonatural?!

Allow me to attempt to clarify...

I have not read the sword as printed, but I believe it is a +1 greatsword that effectively operates as a spiked chain with respect to reach, price 4350gp

The DM ruled that such an ability would be worth a +1 enhancement bonus on the weapon (he wanted to upgrade an existing sword) and thus the 8000gp figure.

It seems the DM didnt initially realise he was effectively giving the character 10' reach, and cut down the ability to allow the sword to magically extend to 10' or retract to normal as a standard action. Basically allowing the sword to switch to "polearm" mode and back (still for a +1 equivalent bonus).

I think he asking wether your opinion on if this is (un)balanced or (un)fair

.. jaded

EDIT: i should really proof read before i post

 

[Hypersmurf]

I think he asking wether your opinion on if this is (un)balanced or (un)fair

I've thought before that a weapon enhancement that grants 10' inclusive reach is worth +3, or perhaps a strong +2.

If it's a standard action (command word) to switch between 10' exclusive reach and 5' reach, I'd call that +1.

Apparently there's a 3rd party supplement out there that has a thrice-stackable +5' reach quality priced at +1... ie, 5'-10' greatsword, +1; 5'-15' greatsword, +2; 5'-20' greatsword, +3. In my opinion, that's ridiculously underpriced.

-Hyp.

 

[jaded]

Yeah, that was my initial reaction... I'd agree with the 10' inclusive reach as at least +2, probably +3.

+5 inclusive reach for +1, stackable??? ouch. Hard to physically imagine such a weapon in action... magic elastic tied to the wrist perhaps?

.. jaded

 

[Hypersmurf]

+5 inclusive reach for +1, stackable??? ouch.

It was Caliban told me about it... he'll remember what the supplement was, and maybe what the flavour text is...

-Hyp.

 

[heirodule]

I think the tentacle sword is a really stupid idea*, and I'm astonished that Monte put it into print

*The idea of a sword extending out on a tentacle and gaining reach while still being usable just sounds too silly for me to believe. It would have been far better to create a "lesser dancing" ability or something.

There is a really cool example of something like that in the movie (possible spoiler) Brotherhood of the Wolf

 

[Ravellion]

Actually, if you read Monte's boards, he never intended it to be like a spiked chain... it always was either 5 foot or 10 foot reach, never both like the spiked chain has.