Or when you retrieve it (Move Action), you still need to spend a Move Action to load it?
Heh... good question. I'm not sure how this would be determined from the rules themselves.
For me as a GM, I'd probably allow it.
Even though both use bullets, asling isn't a .38, Harmor. Heh. It is simply an open pouch of leather with two long straps. The stone or bullet would fall right out. So, yes, it takes a bit of work to ready a sling.
Master Arminas
Master, I'll play devil's advocate here.
A sling pouch rolled a few times around a stone would hold the stone in place and could be unrolled by a sufficiently dextrous person to keep the stone in the pouch.
I use a slingshot a lot. I typically put a stone or BB in the pouch and hold it with one finger against the handle while walking so that it's loaded when I want to use it.
I really don't see why this wouldn't work. I could do it myself with a real sling in my real pocket.
Much like crossbows, there is no rule that says the weapon becomes unloaded simply because you put it down. Common sense runs this one, and frankly, slings are bad enough that I wouldn't think this is game-breaking. But its definitely in house rules territory.
Yes, but can it be unrolled and untwisted as move action? If the sling straps are twisted, the sling don't work: they have to be seperate so that when the slinger releases one strap, the pouch flies open perfectly on cue and sends that stone or bullet on a ballistic course.
Slingshots are easy to use; slings are TOUGH. In real life, that is.
But, as you said I don't know exactly how the rules on this would come down. So all of this is just my own opinion.
Master Arminas
Ah, but Tarantula, there is also no rule saying the crossbow bolt falls out if you hold it upside down. And on most crossbows, there ain't a quarrel cover. Heh.
Best answer is check with your DM. And come up with a mutually agreeable solution that you both can live with.
Master Arminas
I suppose someone TWF with slings and quick-draw might be trying to use this to get around the reload time. Now that I've thought of that, I would say that no, you can't carry loaded slings.
Yes, but can it be unrolled and untwisted as move action? If the sling straps are twisted, the sling don't work: they have to be seperate so that when the slinger releases one strap, the pouch flies open perfectly on cue and sends that stone or bullet on a ballistic course.
Slingshots are easy to use; slings are TOUGH. In real life, that is.
But, as you said I don't know exactly how the rules on this would come down. So all of this is just my own opinion.
Master Arminas
Not trying to debate this Master, just want you to visualize what I'm saying a bit better.
I'm not saying to wrap the thing up like a Christmas present. I'm saying put the stone in the pouch, fold it over once, maybe twice and then stow it so that it doesn't move around. Like in a pocket. Then when you pull it out of your pocket, it will automatically unfold and all you really have to do is keep the stone from falling out.
But there's no guarantee. I might even make the player roll a dex check to see if the character missed the stone and it fell out.
To me the idea that it takes as long to load a sling as it does to load a crossbow is just hilarious.
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I suppose someone TWF with slings and quick-draw might be trying to use this to get around the reload time. Now that I've thought of that, I would say that no, you can't carry loaded slings.
Why do that when you can simply be a TWFing slinger with Juggle Load? The feat says you can reload one-handed, so you can full attack with slings, getting up to 9 attacks, 10 if your DM allows each speed weapon to add another attack.
Got you, AD. It's no problem, man. I like the Dex check to make sure the stone stays put idea, by the way.
Master Arminas
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I'd say no on carrying the sling around loaded in your pouch.
If you have your sling stored in a container, so that you have to pull it out, unwind it, and make sure the stone is seated properly inside, that's a lot more time and effort than pulling a sword out of a sheath.
I'd consider it either a standard action for drawing a hidden weapon, or treat it the same as retrieving a stored item, as is suggested on page 186 of the core rule book.
I'd say loading a sling is something that has to be done when you fire it. Merely having a stone wrapped in it just means that you draw it when you draw the sling out. Since drawing ammo is a free action anyways, it doesn't really net you anything.
The big difference between slings and other weapons is that loading a sling normally takes a move action that requires two hands. Negating that drawback merely by wrapping up a stone doesn't make much sense to me. In the above example, loading as a free action requires a feat prerequisite, a skill prerequisite, and then an additional feat. Running it so that a wrapped sling bypasses the loading requirement trivializes that requirement in most combats, and I cannot help but think it goes against the intent of the sling and the loading requirements.
Also, 20 pouches, 20 slings, and quick draw. Full round sling attacks without the tax. Really can't be the intent.
Why do that when you can simply be a TWFing slinger with Juggle Load? The feat says you can reload one-handed, so you can full attack with slings, getting up to 9 attacks, 10 if your DM allows each speed weapon to add another attack.
Because you still require 2 hands to reload as a free action. Therefore, no TWF slinging with juggle load, unless you have 3 hands.
I am thinking I would allow it, but only after making it masterwork twice, once for normal, and the second for specialization. But this also depends on the character, if you know him well enough that you trust him to not overdo it, sure go for it, otherwise tell your player no
Isn't there a sling that has a stitched pouch for just this purpose in UC?