More spikes please

[Bright]

Is there a maximum number of spikes a medium humanoid can wear or is it simply a matter of taste.

[Mikethulhu]

I believe its a matter of taste and being physically capable of carrying chaos-warrior level numbers of spikes :p

[Bright]

Michael Pennington wrote:

I believe its a matter of taste and being physically capable of carrying chaos-warrior level numbers of spikes :p

So between 200 and 300? Feedback appreciated.

[gigglestick]

The GM in me needs to ask...why does it matter???

(In other words, you are asking this for a reason, so what is the number of spikes going to mean for you...)

[Mikethulhu]

Ok I really shouldnt be thinking too much about this but...

Assuming the spikiest of creatures has a strength score of 18, this gives them a heavy load of 300lbs. We also assume they have to wear a body covering suit of armour (we'll say plate) to fit as many spikes on as possible.

Now, mithral halves the weight of metal items made from it, so a suit of mithral plate (for a medium creature) weighs 25 lbs, so they could potentially carry 275lbs of spikes.

If the spikes are about half the mass of pitons (so big, but not TOO big) and also made of mithral each will have a weight of 1/8 of a lb, so 8 to the lb. Adding that up means said creature can potentially carry (275 x 8 = 2,200) spikes. Assuming you can somehow fit them on the armour that would be how many spikes, though some spikes may well be covered in even more spikes.

That and I doubt youd actually be able to move.

Id say you could have somewhere from 1/2 to 1/4 of that many spikes and still have a reasonable level of mobility.

So...yeah...750 closely, densely packed spikes?

Also yes, Why do you need to know?

[KaeYoss]

In part a matter of taste. Mostly a matter of not going all to shreds when you have to sneeze.

[Louis IX]

Why the question? I mean... how does it matter? Your spiked armor will do the same damage whatever the number of spikes on it (which generally isn't more than a dozen, I believe... just check the internet for some example pictures). Did you mean spikes at unusual places like elbows and knees as well? Even so, I don't see how you'd reach the hundred.

And... what kind of spikes? Are you speaking about inch-long spikes? Foot-long? Various sizes? Are these spikes sharpened, causing the wielder some damage on each failed action? Is that so your character could collect dead leaves when rolling on the ground?

I'm just wondering.

[Virgil]

Two-weapon Fighting with Armor Spikes?

[Bright]

Weapon spikes are charming and usefull. Many persons who have posted on this thread appear threatened. Or is there something sensitive to the government about spike questions??? 2200 spikes on mithral weighing approximately 300 lb, nice math, I am not sure they could be packed closely enough. Rude-Dog had four on each shoulder pad, anybody remeber that. I can't imagine four being the same as one! Rules are rules, so how about if a whole bunch of people go channel some negative energy for a while.

[Immortalis]

Unfortunately rules are there and they just say spikes do x damage. Doesnt specify number, so you can assume what ever spikes you have they will still do the same damage.

Would you let a player have a 3 bladed sword made like in one of the deathstalker films and have it do 3x the damage?

I have characters that have spikes and use them in combat and the number of them has never come up I just say how many and where for character, as you say there nice :)

At the end of the day its down to you and your DM or other way round :) What ever you like its your game :)

Something that has just come to mind is in the epic level handbook theres a creature with a 100 arms and so a hundred attacks but it does state how many can be brought to bare on what size creature. Just the same you couldnt say you get attacks from spikes on your back really if your attacking face on, even shoulders couldnt all strike the same thing.

What ever happens have fun :)