Throwing axe

[burnrate]

Is the throwing axe really supposed to be 1d6/x2? I've never really looked at it before, but am building a dwarf master thrower and this doesn't seem seem right. Usually the martial weapons are a step up from the simples in some way, but it doesn't seem to be the case here. I would guess is should be x3 critical like the other axes (and it is when referenced in the master thrower entry).

Also, if you have the ability to throw anything, per the feat, can you have the returning enchantment on a weapon not normally throwable?

Thanks

 

[Saeviomagy]

Is the throwing axe really supposed to be 1d6/x2? I've never really looked at it before, but am building a dwarf master thrower and this doesn't seem seem right. Usually the martial weapons are a step up from the simples in some way, but it doesn't seem to be the case here. I would guess is should be x3 critical like the other axes (and it is when referenced in the master thrower entry).

While I don't think it would be broken to assign a x3 critical, I think the throwing axe is still a step up from the simple weapons. It does more damage than the only other throwable simple melee weapon. For a character with a relatively normal strength, it is superior to a dagger. It's only once you start piling on bonuses to damage that the dagger pulls ahead.

 

[burnrate]

Except the club, shortspear, spear, and javelin are all at least as good as the throwing axe. Most are better. It isn't a big deal, except it doesn't seem right for a dwarf to have a spear or a javelin when there are throwing axes in the armory.

 

[isoChron]

Take a club, same stats and range increment but much cheaper if you have to abandon your weapons or a fireball smokes the area you just have thrown your weapons into.
Light Hammer is the second typical dwarven thrower weapon. 1d4 but 20 ft increment.

 

[FEADIN]

Is the throwing axe really supposed to be 1d6/x2? I've never really looked at it before, but am building a dwarf master thrower and this doesn't seem seem right. Usually the martial weapons are a step up from the simples in some way, but it doesn't seem to be the case here. I would guess is should be x3 critical like the other axes (and it is when referenced in the master thrower entry).

Also, if you have the ability to throw anything, per the feat, can you have the returning enchantment on a weapon not normally throwable?

Thanks

No, you have to make it a weapon that can be thrown before with the throwing enchantment, with the feat it's you which can throw anything not the weapon that can be thrown by anyone.
Returning: This special ability can only be placed on a weapon that can be thrown. A returning weapon flies through the air back to the creature that threw it. It returns to the thrower just before the creature’s next turn (and is therefore ready to use again in that turn).
Catching a returning weapon when it comes back is a free action. If the character can’t catch it, or if the character has moved since throwing it, the weapon drops to the ground in the square from which it was thrown.
Throwing: This ability can only be placed on a melee weapon. A melee weapon crafted with this ability gains a range increment of 10 feet and can be thrown by a wielder proficient in its normal use.

 

[Inigo Carmine]

Except the club, shortspear, spear, and javelin are all at least as good as the throwing axe. Most are better. It isn't a big deal, except it doesn't seem right for a dwarf to have a spear or a javelin when there are throwing axes in the armory.

The throwing axe is a light weapon compared to the javalin/club. (Also, javalins take a penalty when used in melee).

If all you're going to do is throw it, the throwing axe isn't that great; But if used in melee, it can be finessed, or used offhand for lower TWF penalties. I think it makes a great offhand weapon for a TWF dwarf who, after downing his current opponent, throws it into the back of an enemy 15 ft away.

Alternatively, it works well if both your weapons are throwing axes, and you can spend feats on them that improve both your melee and ranged attacks (weapon focus, specilization, etc).

 

[lukelightning]

Is the throwing axe really supposed to be 1d6/x2? I've never really looked at it before, but am building a dwarf master thrower...

I had a dwarf master thrower...he specialized in daggers, though (since they were lighter..he could carry more of 'em). Then he died and got reincarnated as an elf. And the point of this is....um, oh yeah, anyways he just took the "throw anything" feat so now he's throwing battle-axes, morningstars, flails, longswords and all that good stuff. If he was still a dwarf he'd be throwing dwarven battle axes.

 

[burnrate]

The only problem with throw anything is that most of your stuff never comes back to you. I kinda like the idea of having at least a portion of the arsenal to be reusable. In my case it's a backup for a WLD campaign who is being constructed at 8th. I plan on using a pair of +1 returning throwing axes (no twf, so only 2 attacks per round) with the trip shot ability most of the time. The damage or crit level of the weapon isn't really much of an issue, it just looks wrong to me; but I suppose it is because they are light instead of one-handed. I hope not to wind up in melee enough to notice.

I could go with daggers, but they just don't seem as capable of tripping as the axes could be. I suppose I could also go with another race, but dwarf I think would be good for this prc.

 

[Demoquin]

The only problem with throw anything is that most of your stuff never comes back to you. I kinda like the idea of having at least a portion of the arsenal to be reusable. In my case it's a backup for a WLD campaign who is being constructed at 8th. I plan on using a pair of +1 returning throwing axes (no twf, so only 2 attacks per round) with the trip shot ability most of the time. The damage or crit level of the weapon isn't really much of an issue, it just looks wrong to me; but I suppose it is because they are light instead of one-handed. I hope not to wind up in melee enough to notice.

I could go with daggers, but they just don't seem as capable of tripping as the axes could be. I suppose I could also go with another race, but dwarf I think would be good for this prc.

What PrC?

 

[lukelightning]

The only problem with throw anything is that most of your stuff never comes back to you.

True. My Master Thrower just grabs a few weapons from defeated enemies to throw at the next batch of enemies.

The problem with throwing weapons in general is that it is not worth it to use magic weapons without the returning ability. And if you have a returning weapon you can still make use of your throw anything feat for iterative attacks, as you can only throw a returning weapon once a round.