WotC: Let's Improve the Weapon List, Shall We?

[Wormwood]

This might be over-simplifying things. But I never understood why it had to be complicated in the first place.

I've been playing --- and loving --- Basic D&D for the past month, where all weapons do 1d6. Works fine for my little group (mostly kids under 15).

Needles to say, such a simple system wouldn't work in a tactics-oriented game such as WotC D&D.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

I think it is 58.3% of the time (I vaguely remember the calculations from 1e days when dragons would breath on 7+ on 2d6 each round, which meant a 58.3% of breathing and a 41.7% chance of biting etc).

The issue of consistency of a multiple-dice weapon vs more chance of extreme results with a single dice weapon is right on though.

Yeah, I'm not sure what I did there. It's 21/36-- I got that far without error. I think I did 21/30 or something. Always show your work. :\

 

[delericho]

I've been playing --- and loving --- Basic D&D for the past month, where all weapons do 1d6. Works fine for my little group (mostly kids under 15).

Needles to say, such a simple system wouldn't work in a tactics-oriented game such as WotC D&D.

No reason why not - after just a few levels, the difference between a d4, d6 and d8 damage weapon is largely negligible next to the various modifiers that can be applied to the roll (and likewise between 1d10, 1d12 and 2d6 for two-handed weapons). The crit range/multiplier is a rather larger differentiating factor... but 4e is apparently switching to a scheme where all weapons auto-crit on a 20 and do double damage, so that's gone anyway.

 

[delericho]

Which was wacky, because the crossbows should technically have had their str bonus 'baked in' - which is why various mechanisms were needed for re-cocking them.

Surely that's a reason for having lots of different types of crossbows, rather than applying the user's strength? For any given crossbow, it doesn't matter if it is fired by me or by the World's Strongest Man - the missile will be fired with the same force. Reloading might be a factor, but then the rules would need to handle the case where the Barbarian reloads a massive crossbow for his weakling Swashbuckler companion, which seems an unnecessary complication for a single weapon type.

 

[Zaruthustran]

There was another problem... longbows allowed str bonus to damage, crossbows didn't.

Which was wacky, because the crossbows should technically have had their str bonus 'baked in' - which is why various mechanisms were needed for re-cocking them.
Cheers

So, maybe normal crossbows should do d8, just like a normal bow. Both weapons are muscle-powered, after all: the archer pulls the string and releases, just the same as the crossbowman heaves back on the rope and releases it--except that the trigger mechanism of the crossbow holds that tension until needed.

A heavy crossbow (the kind that's cocked via winch or lever) should add an automatic strength bonus. Say, +3 or +4. And it should take a full round action to reload.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

So, maybe normal crossbows should do d8, just like a normal bow. Both weapons are muscle-powered, after all: the archer pulls the string and releases, just the same as the crossbowman heaves back on the rope and releases it--except that the trigger mechanism of the crossbow holds that tension until needed.

A heavy crossbow (the kind that's cocked via winch or lever) should add an automatic strength bonus. Say, +3 or +4. And it should take a full round action to reload.

My hand crossbow that I picked up at a sporting store had a foot grip for reloading, allowing the string to hold more tension than I could have imparted to a bow by just using my arms. And the mechanics that hold it cocked while you aim with a steady hand imply a greater tension than you could hold on a bow while aiming is possible even if you load it by hand. Just a thought. As implied in my earlier post I find this sort of micromanagement of weapon damage, type and proficincies a little silly in a game which appeals to abstractness so often in explaining its combat mechanics.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Since weapon choice will matter more in 4E, I'm curious how they are going to work finding magic items. If you're a devoted spear fighter, only a spear is really going to help you out.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

I would like to see the return of weapon groups or families, with feats used for applying techniques to specific weapons. Its always seemed silly that a a Rogue could burn a feat on Greatsword and not be able to use a Broadsword...


regarding the bows/crossbows, ages ago there was a 'Discussion of Bows' pdf posted in the HR forum that I have kept and use. The basic concept is that bows are mechanically propelled and the strength of the bow itself should set the damage.. and a weaker character should not gain the damage advantage of using a higher strength bow. It has three charts, the bow 'effective strength' that shows the damage and range the arrow/bolt has.
Then a chart each for bows and crossbows showing the size/heft/cost. Using those rules a 'standard' heavy crossbow would have a effective strength of 15 and deal 1D10 damage..and the chart can handle going up to a full fledged Ballistae {Effective Str of 30 and dealing 4D10 damage... ouch!}

Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled thread!

 

[Hairfoot]

Its always seemed silly that a a Rogue could burn a feat on Greatsword and not be able to use a Broadsword

I disagree. Learning to swing a cricket bat proplerly doesn't each you how to use a tennis racquet well. The principle is the same.

 

[Celebrim]

Since weapon choice will matter more in 4E, I'm curious how they are going to work finding magic items. If you're a devoted spear fighter, only a spear is really going to help you out.

This is part of the game that annoyed me ever since weapon specialization arrived in the UA.

I've always tried to solve it by converting weapons in whatever I'm running strategically into whatever weapon the fighter is specialized in, relying on some sort of the 'weapon of destiny' trope from literature - the fighter finds a powerful magic spear because the spear was meant to be found by him. But, especially in 3e, that can get lame. You want them to find a weapon of destiny _once_ and not repeatedly. Fortunately, you can design an item so that it levels up with the user, and that's something of a satisfactory answer.