ArchfiendBobbie
First Post
I'm currently trying to get my mecha rules up and running for 5E. Unfortunately, every time I think I've got them somewhat decent, someone breaks something.
D&D 5E What sorts of things are you working on? (3PP or personal use homebrew)?
- Thread starter Sacrosanct
- Start date
Ilbranteloth
Explorer
Nope. They are too light for battlefield use (not to mention, on a battlefield it's a much more brutal affair, no real time for precision shots like that). They were designed for civilians and duels and are often referred to as a type of "dress sword." That is, a courtly sword, or one worn for show and self-defense if needed, but not war.
Attempting to slide a blade between overlapping pieces of metal in movement while that opponent is actively attempting to kill you is, at least to me, absurd. Tackling somebody and attempting to slide a dagger through a spot, maybe. Well-made plate armor fits together with precision, leaving little in the way to slide a blade through. But against a moving target, none at all. You either have to thrust or chop through the armor with a heavy enough weapon (and leverage, such as using two-hands) or batter them.
Weapon design against plate armor was essentially one of power - larger swords (enabling two-handed use), particularly used while thrusting. Longswords were designed to be used primarily two-handed to gain enough power. Of course, other weapons other than swords were the heavy polearms, as the leverage of the long shaft made chopping through the armor feasible. Of course maces and other bludgeoning weapons were another approach, although against full plate, or even a breastplate with mail and a gambeson under either did a decent job of spreading the blow. Other specialty weapons like the estoc (a type of short sword stiff thrusting blade) were also developed. The narrow blade of the estoc serves the same purpose as the bodkin arrowhead. The narrower the blade, the better it was as punching through plate armor. But if you've watched any of the tests of arrows against plate armor that numerous people have tried, a breastplate over mail and a padded gambeson was virtually invulnerable to arrows. Maybe a crossbow, since it could have a much heavier draw weight. But the big advantage of the crossbow was that it required much less training than a bow, thus less skill, but also one of strength. It's very difficult to draw a 100#+ war bow.
Rapiers are designed for quick and nimble attacks against (largely) unarmored opponents, and were developed relatively late.
There is an intermediate type of sword, that are now usually referred to as side-swords, that slowly replaced heavier arming swords, and were essentially military precursors/versions of the civilian rapier.
Here's a decent site on types of swords: http://www.thearma.org/terms4.htm#.WQap91LMxE4
Keep in mind that for the most part people didn't wander around wearing heavy armor. Plate armor was for decoration, station, and war. In town (or cities) people didn't typically wear armor. Courtesans and nobility might carry a sword, but they became smaller over time, the rapier is one example, which led to the shorter "small-sword" over time.
Town guards (at walls) would be armored in mail, or mail with a breastplate and additional protection for the legs and arms, or perhaps munition plate.
Even in a fantasy world, within a city I would expect that heavy armor is uncommon amongst people in the streets. Most would be in leather, or something like brigandine or a jack of plates. Mail or heavier armor is heavy, hot, and not terribly comfortable to wear all the time. Plate is worse. Not like it's often represented, but for the most part it's worn when people expect to need it. Like war. Or guard duty.
The laws will also have a lot to say about who can draw a weapon, and when. This is less restrictive in a fantasy world than a feudal medieval society, but they will be there. Frontier law (like the wild west) is reasonable in distant towns, but in a large city drawing steel would most likely land you in jail. The idea of duels being more common, on the other hand, make a lot of sense. These would be much safer for the rest of the citizens, and relieves the law from having to deal with personal disputes as well.
Having said all that, the history of weapons and such still has a lot of unknowns and gray areas. Some weapons work better against certain types of armor than others. If you have a different view of how a specific weapon works, that's fine. Go with what works for you. But, people wore (wear) armor because it's effective. IN the case of mail armor or heavier, it was very effective. I like to take that into account. I also like to take into account that certain tactics and resources make a difference.
Still working on my Cormyr sourcebook on the DMs Guild.
Between my work schedule and family life, the pace of work on my sourcebook has slowed to a crawl.
The good news is that I've managed to contact a couple of artists who've agreed to allow me to license their artwork for use in my sourcebook.
It's past time for me to start culling the best material from my idea generation thread and my adventuring parties/NPCs threads here at EN World, so I can refine them for use in my sourcebook. I may have to take a paid vacation from work to get that done.
Between my work schedule and family life, the pace of work on my sourcebook has slowed to a crawl.
The good news is that I've managed to contact a couple of artists who've agreed to allow me to license their artwork for use in my sourcebook.
It's past time for me to start culling the best material from my idea generation thread and my adventuring parties/NPCs threads here at EN World, so I can refine them for use in my sourcebook. I may have to take a paid vacation from work to get that done.
Just thought I would update, I have since added Druid homebrewing to my list. Also, not in a thread, I am working on a non-magical alchemist style class. My first actual Homebrew Class, it is inspired by Lockwood and Co., which will be one of the subclasses if anyone is interested in that.
Sacrosanct
Legend
Inchoroi
Adventurer
No, not Rappan Athuk, although I'd enjoy it if I could afford it. Currently, I'm combining Stoneheart Valley and Sword of Air into one mega-campaign.
I have plans, when money allows, of getting Lost City of Barakus and Cults of the Sundered Kingdoms next for conversion, then three of the old Necromancer Games modules that I love the idea of.
Whenever the conversion of Stoneheart Valley+Sword of Air is finished, I'll post what they'll let me on FGG's forums, and here, if they'll allow it! Stoneheart Valley is finished 1st draft conversion, but it's messy.
I'd also love to do Slumbering Tsar, just because it sounds amazing and terrifying.
Gotcha. I'm pretty sure we've talked back and forth on the FGG forums. I can say for sure that there are 5e versions of some cool things on the way (Rappan Athuk and Tome of Horrors Complete) and there are quite a few more being considered by certain Frog Gods that I'm familiar with.
Zhern
My next campaign is gonna be very GP and XP intensive. Players will be in a Hogwarts style academy for heroes with teachers who award XP for achieving goals. Plus Extra Credit XP for doing more difficult stuff (bring me back a bullywug alive so we can dissect it) and they will have to pay GP to level up as part of their tuition.
So I want to create a system where they have another thing to spend money on, so I am creating a table of limited use "augments" that attach to weapons, armor and items like materia from Final Fantasy VII. Bacsically enchantments that don't recharge, but can combine in weird ways.
Trying to keep them inferior to magic items but worth spending money on.
So I want to create a system where they have another thing to spend money on, so I am creating a table of limited use "augments" that attach to weapons, armor and items like materia from Final Fantasy VII. Bacsically enchantments that don't recharge, but can combine in weird ways.
Trying to keep them inferior to magic items but worth spending money on.
Inchoroi
Adventurer
Gotcha. I'm pretty sure we've talked back and forth on the FGG forums. I can say for sure that there are 5e versions of some cool things on the way (Rappan Athuk and Tome of Horrors Complete) and there are quite a few more being considered by certain Frog Gods that I'm familiar with.
Zhern
You are familiar with me, yes. Just look for Knem Koth stuff. I tend to stay away from Rappan Athuk, because I only have a couple players that would enjoy it; the others would think it'd get a little samey (saying this as having never read it before, however, so I reserve judgement until I get to it). I'd actually prefer a 5e Slumbering Tsar to Rappan Athuk; the player that introduced me to FGG has it and has played it, sings it's praises, and says it's specifically suited to an evil bastard DM like me.
Similar Threads
