I am considering a list of weapons and materials that represent weaknesses to various types.
currently the game supports.
COLD IRON: good vs Fey and demons
SILVER: Good vs devils, Daemons and lycanthropes
I would like to add something like
ADAMANTIUM: equivalent to Axiomatic for the purpose of penetrating DR/lawful (the strength of the metal comes from its connection to LAW)
PIT STEEL: Equivalent to unholy for penetrating DR/evil (crafted using evil rites and quenched in bloody water during the forging process)
OBSIDIAN: A natural equivalent of silver when used against material plane natives like lycanthropes
"CHAOS METAL": for the purpose of defeating DR/chaos I was thinking some kind of unusual metal like lead or gold (something one would normally never use in battle), or possibly a new material like Rust Iron or simply applying the property to mithral.
opinions? suggestions? advice?
The Core Rulebook already has adamantine as an ultra-hard metal, so I would look for another name than adamantium, first of all.
Secondly, consider that DR/Alignment weapons are already covered - in the magic weapons section. There isn't really any historical basis (in reality or fantasy)supporting metal types that do extra damage or overcome damage resistance based on alignment. Everything I can think of relating to good/evil and lawful/chaotic weapons has always been tied to magic, not the weapon's substance. I think allowing other metals that overcome these DR's would probably unbalance your game.
That all being said, it is your game, and if you want it, you can create it.
Counting as an alignment for the purposes of overcoming an alignment-based DR is kind of ridiculous. Currently, it takes a +3 or better weapon (+1 holy longsword or +1 anarchic battle axe or whatever), and it takes an outright +5 weapon to bypass it without those specific enhancements. Passing it out to mundane weapons makes outsiders easier than they should be to kill.
Unless you are running a high level, low magic game (where the alignment DRs will come up often but the magic to bypass it won't exist) I would encourage against doing this.
Maybe have the special materials ignore a small amount of DR for alignment purposes? Like 5 or so.
I have borrowed from video games and science in general, stuff like Orichalcum, arcanite, obsidian, glass, etc etc. I can dig out my folders on them if you'd like.
When making special materials, I always try to avoid stuff that is already covered like synjon has pointed out. I try and give things a bonus based on the materials.
Like with arcanite, it helps arcane casters boots spells, but could possibly damage or even destroy the weapon if they try and channel to much energy through the weapon.
