The Vorpal blade

[StarFyre]

i must have a very different group of players

they like unpredictable combat results...they want it as chaotic and close to real life as possible (where anything can and does happen).

the moto of our combats...

AD&D = accidental death & dismemberment...aka "A Sanjay Campaign"

I use the vorpal sword as somewhat of a non-unique artifact (only beings to create them normally are balor's and solars...yes, we use the older version of the solar weapon), and we like the 3E rules for it...but since my players would essentially have to sacrifice each other (in real life!!!) to get one, that pretty much balances the chance of it ever being too much of an issue for me.



Regards,

Sanjay

 

[Stogoe]

I do really like the "on successful hit, make a follow-up attack vs Fort" idea. I just have no idea what a useful, not-too-rare, balanced, legacy-echoes effect would look like.

 

[HP Dreadnought]

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

You know. . . I've been familiar with this poem as long as I can remember, but never really thought about it until now. . .

Reading the PAM (Poem as written) the Vorpal Blade is CLEARLY a thrusting weapon ("through and through.")

Our hero simply decapitates the already slain Jabberwock as evidence of his kill.

I fear we've been grievously misled by the D&D rules for more than thirty years!