PDA

View Full Version : [3.5]Ranged weapon Ammunition



CockroachTeaParty
2010-03-28, 08:13 PM
A player is interested in making a character focused on ranged weapon combat.

This being an open-seas type game, maintaining a good ammo supply is a concern.

Are there any magic items we should keep an eye out for? Ones that provide infinite ammo, perhaps?

What's the Craft DC to make an arrow?

I know an Efficient Quiver is a wise investment, for holding up to 60 arrows, but what other options exist?

Gorilla2038
2010-03-28, 08:20 PM
Returning is always a great enchantment for an archer. Distance CAN be useful in a pirate game, as the ships tend to be far apart.

senrath
2010-03-28, 08:23 PM
There's the Quiver of Plenty from Dragon Magazine. It can make infinite Masterwork arrows tipped with wood, steel, alchemical silver, or cold iron. Only limitation is only one at a time (I'm not sure if there's a limit on how many per round) and only the person who holds the quiver can use the arrows.

Ernir
2010-03-28, 08:30 PM
What's the Craft DC to make an arrow?

Ask your DM. Between 5 and 15, depending on how generous (s)he's feeling. 5 would be "Very simple item (wooden spoon)", 15 is for a martial weapon.

See the craft skill (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/craft.htm).

Claudius Maximus
2010-03-28, 08:31 PM
The Quiver of Anariel can make an endless supply of arrows. It used to be up on the Wizards site, but it has apparently been taken down. Here's the stats:

Quiver of Anariel:Quivers of Anariel appear to be typical arrow containers capable of holding a score of arrows. However, the quivers automatically replenish themselves with standard or magical arrows, such that they are always full. Some quivers also create arrows made of special materials, such as adamantine, cold iron, or alchemical silver.

Once an arrow it taken from the quiver, it must be used within 1 round or it vanishes.

Moderate conjuration; CL 7th; Craft Wondrous Item, magic weapon, minor creation; Price 28,000 gp (standard arrows), 29,000 gp (masterwork arrows), 32,000 gp (+1 arrows), 44,000 gp (+2 arrows), 64,000 gp (+3 arrows), 92,000 gp (+4 arrows), 128,000 gp (+5 arrows); Add an additional +6,000 gp for adamantine arrows, +4,005 gp for cold iron arrows, or +200 gp for alchemical silver arrows; Weight 1 lb.

IonDragon
2010-03-28, 08:32 PM
from the MiC there is the "Survival Pouch" which can be used 5/day to produce a variety of semi useful camping items including a mighty +1 shortbow and 20 arrows. So it can be used to produce 100 arrows daily.

Eurus
2010-03-28, 10:56 PM
The Quiver of Anariel can make an endless supply of arrows. It used to be up on the Wizards site, but it has apparently been taken down. Here's the stats:

Why on earth are the versions that supply magic arrows so much more expensive than a bow with an equivalent enchantment would be?

marjan
2010-03-28, 11:10 PM
Why on earth are the versions that supply magic arrows so much more expensive than a bow with an equivalent enchantment would be?

I believe that bigger question is why the one with non-magical arrows costs 28k. For that money you could buy 280k arrows, which would be life-time supply.

Rainbownaga
2010-03-28, 11:15 PM
Why on earth are the versions that supply magic arrows so much more expensive than a bow with an equivalent enchantment would be?

Because you can combine enchantments on bow and arrows for better effect.

This, of course, assumes you have have a need for 500 or something +1 arrows; It might be worth it if the enchantment referred to effective enchantment since you could draw whatever type of enchanted arrows on the fly, but even this is a bit of a stretch.


Given the two posts above me, I suggest the best choice is a bag of holding or a handy haversack loaded with as many mundane arrows as you can get your hands on.

Voice of Reason
2010-03-28, 11:18 PM
Why on earth are the versions that supply magic arrows so much more expensive than a bow with an equivalent enchantment would be?

Unlimited enchanted arrows can be used to supply a small army of low-level mooks. An extra 5-25% chance of hitting the enemy can turn the tide of a medium-large battle extremely quickly. Alternatively, encumbrance could be an issue.

arguskos
2010-03-28, 11:19 PM
BZZT. The item you'd be looking for is the Quiver of Plenty from the Dragon Compendium. 18,000 gp for an unlimited supply of masterwork arrows, of the wooden, steel-tipped, silver-tipped, and cold-iron tipped variety. It can also make 5 adamantine arrows a day.

Better deal that the Quiver Claudius posted above. I mean, 28,000 for normal arrows? Damn.

Curmudgeon
2010-03-28, 11:25 PM
Returning is always a great enchantment for an archer.
Actually, returning is a spectacularly poor choice for an archer.
Generally speaking, ammunition that hits its target is destroyed or rendered useless, while normal ammunition that misses has a 50% chance of being destroyed or lost. There are no exceptions here, no matter how fabulously expensive your magic arrows happen to be.

Gorilla2038
2010-03-29, 01:32 AM
Unless of course you count the 'generally speaking' as an exception. Its not to far of a reach within RAW, let alone within RAI. If it is a problem. make the arrowheads admantine, add returning and make arrow shafts each morning. Itsa pain, sure, but well worth the convenient extra +9 to stack into enchantments.

Kosjsjach
2010-03-29, 01:44 AM
Actually, returning is a spectacularly poor choice for an archer. There are no exceptions here, no matter how fabulously expensive your magic arrows happen to be.

Well, there are the Raptor Arrows from the MIC (p56). For 6'006gp (each), the +1 arrow will restring itself at the beginning of your next turn.
If you want them to behave as bane arrows against their target, you have to worship Ehlonna and either burn a feat or sacrifice a 4th-level divine spell slot.

Still. Returning, not destroyed.

HunterOfJello
2010-03-29, 02:05 AM
Quick Loading Crossbows (+1 enchantment) store 100 bolts in extra dimensional space. I've found that they're always handy to have around.