Sxoa
2008-02-16, 01:58 PM
One of the big dangers from arrows (if they didn't kill a person outright) was taking them out. Barbed arrowheads and other innovations make yanking the arrow out an uncomfortable proposition. The arrow obviously still has to be removed though otherwise the wound is almost guaranteed to fester, and of course having an arrow sticking out of you is awkward at most social gatherings.
I'd like to replicate this effect in D&D if possible for a couple of reasons:
It's my opinion that archery is underpowered as compared to meleeing it due to the lack of power attack and other such things. This would help rectify this, though really only at lower levels admittedly, but still it's a start.
I think it would be an interesting addition, that would add a little more realism.
I'd like to point out here that this thread is not a discussion about the above two reasons. If you disagree, that's fine, but please hold your tongue. Please only post if you're going to contribute something constructive. I also acknowledge that this would likely add more book keeping to the game, which isn't to the taste of everyone, and that's fine. They're obviously optional rules.
So, lets role up our sleeves and get cracking!
There already exist two weapons that remain embedded, the ritiik and the harpoon, both from Frostburn, and they are probably a good place to start. Each of them become embedded if the hit creature fails a DC 10+damage dealt Reflex Save and remain embedded in the victim unless pulled out. Pulling them out without a DC 15 heal check does the same amount of damage as the original hit. I think that seems reasonable for an arrow too, but both of those are exotic weapons, so maybe that's too powerful for your basic arrow? What are peoples thoughts? Maybe only 1/2 the damage since an arrow is much smaller compared to a harpoon?
I'm not a huge fan of the reflex save as applied to arrows. It seems pretty low for the amount of damage that can be dealt with an arrow. Too easy to make the save. It seems an arrow (since it's not being thrown, and is being fired) would stick a lot better, so if the reflex save is retained, perhaps up it to 15+damage dealt? Thoughts?
Harpoons (and noticeably not Ritiiks) cause the stuck creature to suffer additional consequences. A stuck creature only moves at half speed and cannot charge or run. This seems a little extreme for a single arrow, but I like the idea of being bogged down by arrows sticking out of a character to the point where it's hindering movement. Maybe if a creature has more arrows embedded in it than it has HD (or twice as many if that seems low, but twice seems too high to me) it can only move at half speed and cannot run or charge.
I'm not sure about festering. I think I'll address that after theres been some feedback on embedding. Thanks for your input!
I'd like to replicate this effect in D&D if possible for a couple of reasons:
It's my opinion that archery is underpowered as compared to meleeing it due to the lack of power attack and other such things. This would help rectify this, though really only at lower levels admittedly, but still it's a start.
I think it would be an interesting addition, that would add a little more realism.
I'd like to point out here that this thread is not a discussion about the above two reasons. If you disagree, that's fine, but please hold your tongue. Please only post if you're going to contribute something constructive. I also acknowledge that this would likely add more book keeping to the game, which isn't to the taste of everyone, and that's fine. They're obviously optional rules.
So, lets role up our sleeves and get cracking!
There already exist two weapons that remain embedded, the ritiik and the harpoon, both from Frostburn, and they are probably a good place to start. Each of them become embedded if the hit creature fails a DC 10+damage dealt Reflex Save and remain embedded in the victim unless pulled out. Pulling them out without a DC 15 heal check does the same amount of damage as the original hit. I think that seems reasonable for an arrow too, but both of those are exotic weapons, so maybe that's too powerful for your basic arrow? What are peoples thoughts? Maybe only 1/2 the damage since an arrow is much smaller compared to a harpoon?
I'm not a huge fan of the reflex save as applied to arrows. It seems pretty low for the amount of damage that can be dealt with an arrow. Too easy to make the save. It seems an arrow (since it's not being thrown, and is being fired) would stick a lot better, so if the reflex save is retained, perhaps up it to 15+damage dealt? Thoughts?
Harpoons (and noticeably not Ritiiks) cause the stuck creature to suffer additional consequences. A stuck creature only moves at half speed and cannot charge or run. This seems a little extreme for a single arrow, but I like the idea of being bogged down by arrows sticking out of a character to the point where it's hindering movement. Maybe if a creature has more arrows embedded in it than it has HD (or twice as many if that seems low, but twice seems too high to me) it can only move at half speed and cannot run or charge.
I'm not sure about festering. I think I'll address that after theres been some feedback on embedding. Thanks for your input!