New types of arrows?


3.5/d20/OGL


In D&D, and most any fantasy game for that matter, I always play as an archer. D&D being my favorite due to the greater options available to archers through their arrow selections.

Up until the recent Dragon article "Hitting the Bullseye" in issue #349, I'd have to finger though 3 or 4 of my source books to find the stats on the types of arrow my character would carry. Thanks to this article, I now have a MUCH easier time.

But, getting to the point...

Has anyone out there every "homebrewed," as it were, their own arrows? One that I've thought of: the rust arrow. The point of which is simple: Heavily armored target? Rust arrow. Really big, scary weapon coming at you? Rust arrow. Iron Golem? Rust arrow.

I'm still working on specifics, but so far, I'm thinking of it either being an alchemical solution in a hollow shaft/compartment or a piece of a rust monster's antennae tied/crafted to the shaft. ( I don't know how that would work, considering that the rust monster has to "breath" through its antennae to corrode metals, but it's just an idea... )

As for the effect, it'd be the same as the rust monster's ability, just corroding a smaller area. But, since the purpose of the arrow is to hit their armor, not to inflict damage to the target, would it be considered a touch attack? Or would it just be like attacking an object when aiming for their weapon? Both?

Anyone have ideas on this or arrows of their own design?

-Kurocyn


I have a few ideas:

An arrow that transforms in flight into a rain of arrows making the arrow fired an area of effect type weapon 6d6 of damage (weapon damage not energy type) plus any special properties conferred by the bow. Arrow effects an area 100' by 100', reflex save for half damage (ac is irrelevant).

Arrow that acts as a dispel magic (caster level equal to the archers BAB)

Arrow that strikes stone as a battering ram (does damage/levels a hole as a passwall spell (caster level equal the archers BAB).

Arrow that throws man sized creatures backward (large half distance/small 2x distance/tiny 4x distance) the distance tralled is 20' plus 5' per point of damage inflicted, if the target takes fall damage appropriate to the amount of distance travelled - if this causes the target creature to hit an object that doesn't move damge is maximized.

Arrow that carries a message many miles.

Arrow with a range of 1000'

Arrow that greater damage 3d6

Arrow that adjusts in flight ignoring dodge bonuses to AC.

You may need to work out some of the stats - hope that gives you some ideas.


Some good ideas.

Will have to tinker...

What about an arrow that contained a thin wire in the end of the shaft that spooled out when you fired it? Helpful for small game hunting or fishing, or getting a rope across that river or up the cliff...

An invisible arrow? Can't deflect or snatch what you can't see...

-Kurocyn

Scarab Sages

Kurocyn wrote:
Has anyone out there every "homebrewed," as it were, their own arrows? One that I've thought of: the rust arrow. The point of which is simple: Heavily armored target? Rust arrow. Really big, scary weapon coming at you? Rust arrow. Iron Golem? Rust arrow.

The rust property already exists --

From the Shining South --
Rusting: A rusting weapon is never constructed of any iron parts, but must be built of wood, bone, stone, or other nonferrous materials. When it is employed, it can cause metal objects with which it comes into contact to quickly rust. A wearer of a ferrous armor or shield that is struck by a rusting weapon must make a DC 16 Fortitude saving throw or the item loses 1 point of armor bonus -- shield are struck first. Once an item loses its entire armor bonus, it falls to pieces, ruined. Bows, crossbows, and slings so crafted confer the rusting ability upon their ammunition. Moderate transmutation; CL 7th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, rusting grasp; price +1 bonus.

I think that my favorite arrows are the healing arrows that you shoot at your party members to heal them from a distance.

Scarab Sages

Also, if you haven't looked yet, there are some interesting, non-magical arrows in Races of the Wild.


Ahh...

So there is a rust arrow. Darn, I thought that I was clever for a minute there...

But I've never seen that book. And I only got to finger through Races of the Wild... I remember the serpenttounge arrow, but that's about it. Plus, they had it in the Dragon article.

And yes, healing arrows are nice. Kinda funny the first time you use them though...

"Wha? Hey don't aim that at me! *gets shot* Ohhh... Thank you."

-Kurocyn


Kurocyn wrote:

Has anyone out there every "homebrewed," as it were, their own arrows? One that I've thought of: the rust arrow.

SNIP

As for the effect, it'd be the same as the rust monster's ability, just corroding a smaller area.

Aside from the "Rust" weapon ability listed above, I think you should be free to allow PCs to simply spell-enhance all manner of arrows. You might require a mage to have both Arms & Armor and Wondrous Item to do it (or else team up with another crafter), but it's simple enough. I have wizards preparing custom arrows with some frequency.

Note that WotC posted a suggested revision of the rust monster and its ability. Don't make your single arrow too powerful.

Rez


Kyr wrote:

I have a few ideas:

An arrow that transforms in flight into a rain of arrows making the arrow fired an area of effect type weapon 6d6 of damage (weapon damage not energy type) plus any special properties conferred by the bow. Arrow effects an area 100' by 100', reflex save for half damage (ac is irrelevant).

Arrow that acts as a dispel magic (caster level equal to the archers BAB)

Arrow that strikes stone as a battering ram (does damage/levels a hole as a passwall spell (caster level equal the archers BAB).

Arrow that throws man sized creatures backward (large half distance/small 2x distance/tiny 4x distance) the distance tralled is 20' plus 5' per point of damage inflicted, if the target takes fall damage appropriate to the amount of distance travelled - if this causes the target creature to hit an object that doesn't move damge is maximized.

Arrow that carries a message many miles.

Arrow with a range of 1000'

Arrow that greater damage 3d6

Arrow that adjusts in flight ignoring dodge bonuses to AC.

You may need to work out some of the stats - hope that gives you some ideas.

In response to this, I'll comment on the two arrows I think would actually be practical and feasible as well as cool...

Davinci designed projectiles for cannon that would explode on impact or break apart into more projectiles in flight, while this sort of tech doesn't immediately correspond or transfer over to arrow tech, one could design an incediary round style arrow with some simple Craft Alchemy and fletchery skill checks...further more a STRONG bow, perhaps a heavy crossbow or maybe a composite longbow, would do well with an arrow that, in addition to being heavier, would separate into a few- probably no more than three- arrows in flight and possibly hit the same target, but more so provide greater cover fire, for this arrow(s) you might only need a good craft check (maybe weapon making, but whatever fletchery falls under really), I would thin this to be a gnomish device that would almost certainly be used more with crossbows than regular bows, no matter how powerful due to the type of projectile...

Neverwinter Nights, yes I know the computer game, uses Piercing arrows that basically add 1d6 of piercing damage, basically arrows like this in the game might count for armor piercing arrows, these would be REALLY useful in campaigns that use armor as Damage Reduction like one I am in.

Still, aside from whatever arrows are featured in the Dragon issue, I would consult one's DM as to what arrows may be made, basically arrow design is simple, so anything that over complicates it or adds weight to it would be counterproductive to design principles, thus MAGIC is probably the best solution for making cool arrows, and you can enchant whole quivers instead of necessarily arrow by arrow with most spells.

For instance, I'm sure there would be a magical answer to the rain of arrows idea you had, and I would certainly support the creation of such an arrow and will look into it later for my own usage.
(Oh and I like the races of the wild arrows, one is a bludgeoning arrow, though I believe it can only do nonlethal damage, so not really damaging skeletons, but I have used one to knock a foolish player out of a spirit tree in my ghostwalk campaign)

The Exchange

I like the area effect arrow but would scale down the size of the effect to a 10'radius circle (or larger, use some spells as a guide) and make everyone in that area roll 1d4 to determine how many arrows target that being, use BAB for the attack and determine damage based on the type of arrow, enhancements, str bonuses for mighty bows. 100' is just a army destroyer. These arrows would need to be priced similarly to a scroll of an area effect spell(flame strike, fireball etc.) you could enhance the arrow with effects like frost, flaming, etc for the price of enhancing 10 of the same type of ammo. This would allow you to have a Hail of Javelins, Hail of Bullets, Hail of Arrows, Hail of Darts, however the javelins and darts would need to be done up as ammo and consumed in the use.
A thought
FH


The current campaign I'm working on right now is a low-magic one, so I won't really be able to work with magical arrows to often...

As for the "hail arrow," I like the ideas here. It's kinda like that splintering bolt for crossbows. ( basically a shotgun shell ) No attack roll, just X damage, 30' cone ( I think ), reflex for half.

The arrow version would probably work the same way, if it was shot directly at someone, but you could also aim in in an arch and try to spread out the shot alittle more. But at longer ranges, I'd probably add in an attack roll.

Another arrow that might work... Take Dwarf-blind ( those stones that explode with light to blind darkvision for a while ) and stick it to an arrow. It'd be good against alot of monsters...

-Kurocyn


Someone homebrewed a vicious arrow known as a "Glass" arrow on D&D Wiki. It splinters inside the target. Removing the splinters has the potential to deal more damage than the initial shot did but honestly homebrews can be modifed to change if necessary. It also did 1 con dmg.


Woooo more than SIX YEARS!!! Threads are not dead which may eternal lie...


Hehehe, was thinking the same thing Sissyl :-)

Was just looking for a few arrows/bolts idea for some drow to use against my PCs.


1) Have access to a Mage who can cast 'Shrink Item', to shrink the targeted items into patches;

2) design the arrows to have blunt 'arrowheads', a patch-holding space, and a tiny blade that cuts the patch when the arrow hits.

Items to be shrunk:
10 cubic foot boulder, as falling from a great height;
bonfire;
10 cubic foot cauldron of boiling oil;
3 cubic feet of hot pitch and a 6 cubic foot cauldron of boiling oil;
9 cubic feet of hot naptha and a lit torch;
10 cubic foot container of acid;
10 cubic foot container of intense alkalye;
several tanglefoot bags;
10 cubic feet of severely drying sand;
10 cubic feet of ground-up silver;
10 cubic foot cauldron of holy water;
10 cubic foot large iron wheel, rolling at 25 mph;
etc

Community / Forums / Gamer Life / Gaming / D&D / 3.5/d20/OGL / New types of arrows? All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.
Recent threads in 3.5/d20/OGL