Why shuriken?

[chaotix42]

Well, rogues get an extra +1 to hit with daggers, so that's one reason to throw a dagger over a shuriken.

And didn't you see? "Ninjuz iz kewl." You want to be "kewl," right? What are you, a communist?!

*EDIT* See, there are ninjas in this very thread. You do not want to offend them.

 

[moonmonster]

As for why rogue, I'd guess its a bi[t] of ninja in the rogue.
DC

I'd actually guess they wanted something like 'throwing knives' but since daggers can be thrown, the difference wouldn't be immediately apparent. (So when I throw a dagger, I get stats A, but when I throw a _knife_, I get stats B?) Calling it 'Shuriken' means everyone instantly sees it's a fairly different type of weapon.

Also, people like ninjas. Personally I'd just call them 'balanced throwing knives' in my campaign/character sheet, because I dislike the whole random ninja insertion, but that's me.

 

[LowSpine]

I'm kind of puzzled about this. It really seems like rogues are being 'railroaded' into using shuriken. The only reason to go for a short bow or sling would seem to be increased range. All in all, Shuriken are cheaper, weigh less, do more damage per hit in the hands of a rogue, and have better range than a thrown dagger...So why would any rogue ever want to throw a dagger? Is there ANY rogue ranged ability that is precluded when using a shuriken but useful with a dagger?

If not, then it seems like shuriken become the 'duh, why would you handicap yourself by NOT buying them?' ranged weapon for rogues.

What if I don't WANT to be a ninja?

Shuriken are just a catchall for small throwing blades - includes throwing daggers which aren't really appropriate for melee. So just think of them as throwing daggers and tadah you aren't a ninja.

They are designed for throwing - daggers aren't - you can but they aren't nearly as good.

I believe ninja is going to be shadow sourced so they will have smoke bomb, burrowing, teleporting, invisibility abilities that will act similar to rogues but have a different feel - melee striker.

 

[zero skill LPB]

"Shuriken" does not necessarily mean Sho Kosugi appears in a puff of smoke to totally flip out and kill people.

GIS can reveal more western-ish shuriken:

http://www.oriental-weaponry.co.uk/acatalog/HW1085Close-Shuriken.jpg

 

[Thasmodious]

...because I dislike the whole random ninja insertion, but that's me.

Really? Cause rumor around here has it that you are into such things...

 

[jimmifett]

I don't see why they are "Superior" and I also don't get why they are superior to daggers in the hands of a rogue. What am I missing here?

My wife plays a rogue and uses shuriekn extensively.
Superior essentially means exotic. from 3e. Also, it appears they get +3 prof. since you normally have to take a feat to use them.

They have a slightly longer range, you get 5 for the price of 1 dagger, and with the Rogue Weapon Talent class feature, the damage die of shuriken increases from 1d4 to 1d6. With a dagger, you get a +1 to attack roles with the same class feature. You trade the bonus to hit for a increase in damage die size.

If she ever thought of it, i'd even house rule that if she threw enough shuriken into a square (say... 5?) or just dumped them, i'd make that square difficult terrain (caltrops) that would give 1 damage if Run through or 1d4 damage if fallen onto (in addition to falling damage) knocked prone into, or push pulled or slid into since the creature isn't controlling their own movement.

 

[JohnSnow]

Personally, I like it.

"Shuriken" is a good way of distinguishing a light blade specifically designed for throwing from a dagger.

The way I see it, most rogues carry a couple daggers and their throwing knives (i.e. shuriken). They might carry a short sword, sling or hand crossbow as well, but daggers and throwing knives are the iconic rogue weapons. To me, that's a good image. And since it works just as well if you think "ninja" and can turn them into "throwing stars," I have no problem with the default system name being "shuriken."

And particularly swashbuckler-y rogues might pick up Weapon Proficiency in the rapier. Overall, I think those weapon choices make for a good image.

 

[lukelightning]

daggers and throwing knives are the iconic rogue weapons.

Plus it cuts down on competition.

3.5 DM: You find a +2 mighty composite flaming longbow.

Ranger: Dibs!
Rogue: Dibs!
Elf Cleric: Dibs!
Elf wizard: Dibs!
Elf monk: Dibs!
Elf Warlock/Dervish/Ur Priest: Dibs!

 

[Tao]

If she ever thought of it, i'd even house rule that if she threw enough shuriken into a square (say... 5?) or just dumped them, i'd make that square difficult terrain (caltrops) that would give 1 damage if Run through or 1d4 damage if fallen onto (in addition to falling damage) knocked prone into, or push pulled or slid into since the creature isn't controlling their own movement.

I am actually designing a Martial Controller (yes, I know... another one) known as the Highwayman that makes extensive use of tricks like this. I'm all the way up to lvl 15 or so on the power list, but I've still got a looooong ways to go. Playtests have been really fun so far though.

 

[Particle_Man]

Plus it cuts down on competition.

3.5 DM: You find a +2 mighty composite flaming longbow.

Ranger: Dibs!
Rogue: Dibs!
Elf Cleric: Dibs!
Elf wizard: Dibs!
Elf monk: Dibs!
Elf Warlock/Dervish/Ur Priest: Dibs!

Unless that is an elf Rogue, where does he get off calling dibs on a longbow?