User:Lesser Minion/Labs/Other Work/Weapon Design Rules

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(Created page with 'The central premise behind these rules is to allow characters to easily come up with rules for an arbitrary weapon, whether this is a fantastic weapon or something more normal. …')
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===Standard Weapons===
===Standard Weapons===
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Most weapons can be loosely categorised as one of a number of different general 'styles' -- e.g. hafted,
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Most weapons can be loosely placed into
===Wielding a weapon===
===Wielding a weapon===
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The way a character wields a weapon depends on its size relative to that of the wielder. Each weapon has a listed size category, indicating the size of its 'basic' wielder -- a character who can wield the weapon one-handed, with no special bonuses or penalties. A weapon's actual size as an object is two categories smaller than its listed size.
 
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To determine how a character may wield a weapon, compare the character's size category to the weapon's, and consult the following table:
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The damage done by a weapon depends on its intended wield style and the size of its intended wielder. Each weapon also has a base size, which corresponds to the size of wielder who would use the weapon as a 'fighting' weapon. Note that the base size of a weapon is roughly two size categories larger than the weapon's actual size as an object.
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The wield styles are as follows:
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====Wielding Styles====
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* '''Reserve:''' A reserve weapon is about the smallest thing a character can wield with any success. A reserve weapon follows most of the same rules as a light weapon, but is generally easier to conceal. A reserve weapon has a base size two categories smaller than its intended wielder, and is always wielded one-handed.
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* '''Light:''' Light weapons are wielded in one hand. You may wield a light weapon two-handed, but you only gain +1 damage for doing so, regardless of your strength score. A light weapon has a base size one category smaller than its intended wielder.
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* '''Fighting:''' A 'fighting' weapon is one-handed, but can be used two-handed if desired. When wielding a fighting weapon or a heavy weapon two-handed, you deal additional damage, either equal to half your strength bonus (for characters with strength 22 or greater), or +2 (for characters with strength 21 or less). A fighting weapon has a base size the same as its intended wielder.
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* '''Heavy:''' A heavy weapon is usually wielded two-handed, but a character who meets certain requirements may wield it one handed. A character wielding a heavy weapon two-handed gains the same bonus damage as she would wielding a fighting weapon two-handed.
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There are four basic 'wield styles' available for a weapon:
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A character of a different size to the intended wielder of a weapon may still use the weapon, but suffers a non-proficiency penalty for doing so. You can determine how the character wields the weapon by comparing its base size with the size of the actual wielder.
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*'''Reserve''': These weapons are extremely small. Characters often carry one or more weapons of this size due to their light weight and relative ease of concealment. Reserve weapons are essentially wielded in the same way as light weapons, but sometimes have other special features (for example, reserve blades can be adapted for throwing, and deal piercing damage instead of slashing damage).
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*'''Light''': Light weapons are often used in pairs, or as an off-hand weapon alongside a larger weapon such as a rapier. A character wielding a light melee weapon may add her dexterity modifier to attack rolls in place of her strength modifier. Additionally, fighting with two weapons is easier if the off-hand weapon is light. A light weapon may be wielded one handed or two-handed, but doesn't deal any additional damage when wielded two-handed.
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*'''Basic''': Basic Weapons may be wielded one-handed or two handed. If wielded two-handed, a basic weapon deals +2 damage.
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*'''Heavy''': A heavy weapon must be wielded two-handed unless the character has Martial Weapon Proficiency in the relevant weapon groups. Otherwise, a heavy weapon is treated as a basic weapon.
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====Weapon Proficiency====
====Weapon Proficiency====
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In order to use a weapon effectively, a character must meet a number of requirements. Typically, this means you must meet the weapon's listed familiarity requirements. Certain weapons also have a strength requirement, and under certain circumstances, your Narrator may choose to require a weapon intended for a character of a different race to be adapted to your character before you may wield it with proficiency.
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In order to use a weapon effectively, a character must meet a number of requirements. Typically, this means you must meet the weapon's listed familiarity requirements. Additionally, you must be the same size as the weapon's intended wielder, and you may in some cases have to meet a strength requirement.
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A character who does not meet all of the requirements for proficiency in a weapon suffers a -2 penalty to attack and damage rolls for each requirement she fails to meet.
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A character who does not meet all of the requirements for proficiency in a weapon suffers a -2 penalty to attack and damage rolls for each familiarity requirement she fails to meet, a -2 to attack rolls for each size category by which she fails to meet a size requirement, and a -1 to attack rolls for each point by which she fails to meet a strength requirement.
To wield a standard weapon, a character may need to be familiar with one of more of the following groups:
To wield a standard weapon, a character may need to be familiar with one of more of the following groups:
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*Axes (axes and picks)
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*Axes and Picks
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*Swords (knives, swords, glaives)
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*Swords and Daggers
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*Chain Weapons (flails, morningstars)
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*Chains and Flails
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*Hammers (hammers, maces, clubs)
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*Hammers and Maces
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*Throwing Weapons (some axes, knives, clubs, and spears)
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*Spears and Staves
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*Polearms (staves, spears, glaives, some axes and hammers)
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*Polearms
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*Archery (bows, crossbows, slings and firearms)
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*Throwing weapons
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*Projectile weapons
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*Archery
Note that  
Note that  
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==Weapon Groups==
==Weapon Groups==
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===Hafted Weapons===
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===Axes and Picks===
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This weapon group covers a number of military weapons, primarily hafted, which have been adapted from woodcutting and mining implements.
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Military versions of both axes and picks are not uncommon.
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====By Size====
====By Size====
====Fundamentals====
====Fundamentals====
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Axes deal slashing damage, picks deal piercing damage.
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Reserve axes may also be used as throwing weapons, and light axes may also be used as inferior throwing weapons. Reserve axes are considered inferior weapons in melee, and often consist of just a head.
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====Qualities====
====Qualities====
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*'''Spiked''': This weapon carries a spike at one end or the other, allowing it to be used like a spear in addition to being used as an axe.
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*'''Spiked''': This weapon carries a spike at one end or the other, parallel to the haft, allowing it to also be used like a spear. Such a weapon may also be wielded as if it were a shortspear (or a longspear, if the weapon also has the polearm quality).
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*'''Polearm''': A heavy weapon with this quality is mounted on a large haft of roughly eight or nine feet. In addition to being an axe or a pick, such a weapon is also considered a polearm and has reach.
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*'''Throwing''': This quality may be applied to light or reserve axes. Applied to a light axe, it allows the weapon to be thrown as a typical throwing weapon. Applied to a reserve axe, it allows the weapon to be thrown as a Superior throwing weapon.
====Affinities====
====Affinities====
*'''Rending''':
*'''Rending''':
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===Blades===
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===Swords and Daggers===
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This weapon group covers weapons such as knives, daggers, rapiers, and arming swords.
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This weapon group covers weapons such as daggers, rapiers, and arming swords.
====By size====
====By size====
====Features====
====Features====
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The basic blade deals slashing damage.
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A light or reserve blade deals piercing or slashing damage.
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A fighting or heavy blade deals slashing damage.
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Hidden blades instead deal piercing damage, and may be adapted for throwing.
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====Optional Qualities====
====Optional Qualities====
*'''Polearm''': this weapon is mounted on a haft, and designed to be used against opponents out of the wielder's normal reach. It is treated as a polearm as well as a sword.
*'''Polearm''': this weapon is mounted on a haft, and designed to be used against opponents out of the wielder's normal reach. It is treated as a polearm as well as a sword.
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*'''Fast''': a character may draw a fast weapon as part of the same action used to attack with it. The katana is the archetypical example of such a weapon.
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*'''Swift Draw''': a character may draw a fast weapon as part of the same action used to attack with it. The katana is the archetypical example of such a weapon.
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*'''
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*'''Versatile''': (fighting, heavy) a versatile blade is a Superior weapon that can deal piercing, bludgeoning, or slashing damage.
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*'''Finesse''': (fighting, heavy) a finesse blade uses the wielder's dexterity modifier for attack rolls, instead of their strength.
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*'''Precise''': A precise weapon scores a critical hit on a roll to hit of 19 or 20, not simply 20.
====Optional Affinities====
====Optional Affinities====
*'''Rending''': A weapon with this affinity inflicts brutal wounds that are extremely difficult to treat.
*'''Rending''': A weapon with this affinity inflicts brutal wounds that are extremely difficult to treat.
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*'''
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*'''Defensive''':
==Example Weapons==
==Example Weapons==

Revision as of 23:34, 15 July 2010

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