Stephen Fitzpatrick's page

Blackdragondisciple wrote:

Is there anyway to use this weapon and continue using it in mid levels and not be giving up your extra range attacks? Seems sill y to me that one can not take a feat with this weapon and have a 2nd attack at 6th level. Is there any other feat out there that would allow one to use all of your attacks with this weapon, or is it just a 1-5 level weapon and you dump it after that? Also if you make it a plus 1, is it a single weapon or do you have to add +1 to both staff and sling?

Rapid shot. As long as you have Warslinger feat you can make as many attacks in a full attack as you could with a bow. No Manyshot though.

Weapon focus, weapon specialization and enhancements apply to both the melee and ranged abilities of the sling staff. Because its not a double weapon you only pay the cost once. Seems over powered? It's not. Consider that reloading a sling still provokes an AoO even when it's a free action. Firing said sling while threatened still provokes an AoO until you get PBM.

The sling staff does give you the option of using it as a club of its size in melee - which is great as it basically gives you a slightly underpowered version of QuickDraw & Snapshot.

The problem is that a club is a 1 handed weapon, which means Weapon Finesse won't apply. Given that you're probably playing a Halfling that hurts. On the flip side you could wield it in 2 hands to get 1.5x STR and 3:1 Power Attack, but that's probably not much of a help if you're a Halfling (STR penalty).

A human could start play with a 16 in both STR & DEX and be equally good with a sling staff ranged or melee - but without the Warslinger (Halfling racial trait) I don't know how you'd reload said sling as a free action.

Hey guys, you can use http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/racial-feats/racial-heritage to qualify for the feat, even if you are a human, but there's a snag in this plan.

"FAQ
What kind of slings does the the Halfling Warslinger's reload ability work with?

The warslinger ability says, "Halflings with this racial trait can reload a sling as a free action." It doesn't say "any type of sling" or "all slings," just "a sling." The ability only affects standard slings, not halfling sling staffs or any other kind of sling."

This racial feat doesn't even solve the problem. There doesn't seem to be a way to effectively use this weapon after level 5. Maybe if you're a bard, using arcane strike? I dunno. It seems pretty bad.

Maybe a rogue? Feint as a move action (because it's also a melee weapon). Free 5 back out of the threatened square, then sneak attack? possibly add vital strike?

Pretty bad if you ask me.