devel31
2010-01-10, 02:33 AM
As a new DM, I've made certain...allowances...to keep my fledgling game world flowing with certain players. Currently; however, I have come to the conclusion that one of these allowances has gone a little too far and has probably un-balanced the game system, which is why I am coming to the Oots community for help, as I am wondering how crazy I should let this go.
The fighter("blue" dragonborn) in the party has basically weaponized a grappling hook. Long story short, he lost his battle-axes (bi-wielded, he follows rule of cool instead of optimization), and in an attempt to continue fighting attaches a chain to a grappling hook, and used it as weapon(I counted it as a d6 flail with reach 2 at the time, plus as a conduit for lightning breath attacks, he rolled high so I let it slide). Well, at the next town we are at, the first thing he does is visit the local blacksmith and have him make a custom superior weapon out of it. I made him shell out approx 300gp for it(like the total cost of all the components and more for special orders).
In short summary, the dragonborn spends an hour or so each day refining his skill with this thing, and has come up with several attack styles and powers for it, justified by "similar weapons" that he takes it from, and I want to see how just it really is:
The head is an over-sized grappling hook, stylized to be sharp along the prongs and coming to a point, so it deals stabbing damage with use. He claims its approx the weight of a heavy flail(2d6+3). He has attached this to a 25 foot chain, which he uses the first 15 feet of and retains the other 10 or so for maneuvering(giving it reach 3), and considers it a two handed weapon. After throwing, it takes a full round action to reel in. Every single point about this thing I've had to argue about(including whether he can pull out one of his axes and fight during the reeling turn due to having Quick Draw and Two Weapon Fighting feats, luckily it was "no"). That is the base of the weapon, which seems a little heavy to start, but not game rending, but some of the attacks hes come up with are starting to unbalance it, I want to make these into either encounter powers, but want opinions first:
Disarming:
+STR v AC
on a successful standard attack, the weapon can also be used for a disarm check (dex vs reflex) to disarm the opponent,
I want to make this to an encounter power and half or no damage, seeking add'l input. He justifies this in a similar fashion to the bullwhip
Focus lightning(encounter/breath recharge)
+str vs AC
On a successful attack, bite chain and use breath weapon(w/ standard rules), instead of a blast area, the breath weapon is conducted to the victim's square, and only affects the victim.
The fighter claims this should work, I agree with the whole breath weapon conduction thing, but am wondering if I should include a reflex save, and make this a daily, but ultimately not sure how to handle this.
trip:
dex vs ref
similar to the disarm above except trips the target, and/or wraps add'l body parts,
same idea
I am also wondering how to treat this with:
There's a few others that he basically uses as at-will powers, should I force him to make these actual powers and re-train his previous ones?
Would inclement weather modifiers affect attack rolls as it affects ranged weapon would, as it is not "hafted" as most standard weapons are? His argument against this is it is a melee weapon, not ranged, not sure how to handle this.
Is stabbing damage really the best idea for this, or should it be crush/slash type damage?
Do you think the hit dice are accurate for it?
And ultimately, is the whole thing just unbalanced for a 3rd level dragonborn fighter?
Any constructive criticism about this is highly appreciated. Also if anyone has any tips about dealing with this player's constant development of this weapon, for keeping it balanced, or keeping those urges to expand in-check, there aren't words enough to express my gratitude. :smallsigh:
The fighter("blue" dragonborn) in the party has basically weaponized a grappling hook. Long story short, he lost his battle-axes (bi-wielded, he follows rule of cool instead of optimization), and in an attempt to continue fighting attaches a chain to a grappling hook, and used it as weapon(I counted it as a d6 flail with reach 2 at the time, plus as a conduit for lightning breath attacks, he rolled high so I let it slide). Well, at the next town we are at, the first thing he does is visit the local blacksmith and have him make a custom superior weapon out of it. I made him shell out approx 300gp for it(like the total cost of all the components and more for special orders).
In short summary, the dragonborn spends an hour or so each day refining his skill with this thing, and has come up with several attack styles and powers for it, justified by "similar weapons" that he takes it from, and I want to see how just it really is:
The head is an over-sized grappling hook, stylized to be sharp along the prongs and coming to a point, so it deals stabbing damage with use. He claims its approx the weight of a heavy flail(2d6+3). He has attached this to a 25 foot chain, which he uses the first 15 feet of and retains the other 10 or so for maneuvering(giving it reach 3), and considers it a two handed weapon. After throwing, it takes a full round action to reel in. Every single point about this thing I've had to argue about(including whether he can pull out one of his axes and fight during the reeling turn due to having Quick Draw and Two Weapon Fighting feats, luckily it was "no"). That is the base of the weapon, which seems a little heavy to start, but not game rending, but some of the attacks hes come up with are starting to unbalance it, I want to make these into either encounter powers, but want opinions first:
Disarming:
+STR v AC
on a successful standard attack, the weapon can also be used for a disarm check (dex vs reflex) to disarm the opponent,
I want to make this to an encounter power and half or no damage, seeking add'l input. He justifies this in a similar fashion to the bullwhip
Focus lightning(encounter/breath recharge)
+str vs AC
On a successful attack, bite chain and use breath weapon(w/ standard rules), instead of a blast area, the breath weapon is conducted to the victim's square, and only affects the victim.
The fighter claims this should work, I agree with the whole breath weapon conduction thing, but am wondering if I should include a reflex save, and make this a daily, but ultimately not sure how to handle this.
trip:
dex vs ref
similar to the disarm above except trips the target, and/or wraps add'l body parts,
same idea
I am also wondering how to treat this with:
There's a few others that he basically uses as at-will powers, should I force him to make these actual powers and re-train his previous ones?
Would inclement weather modifiers affect attack rolls as it affects ranged weapon would, as it is not "hafted" as most standard weapons are? His argument against this is it is a melee weapon, not ranged, not sure how to handle this.
Is stabbing damage really the best idea for this, or should it be crush/slash type damage?
Do you think the hit dice are accurate for it?
And ultimately, is the whole thing just unbalanced for a 3rd level dragonborn fighter?
Any constructive criticism about this is highly appreciated. Also if anyone has any tips about dealing with this player's constant development of this weapon, for keeping it balanced, or keeping those urges to expand in-check, there aren't words enough to express my gratitude. :smallsigh: