Though not as accurate as some magical bows, none can deny the great power of this weapon, rumored to have been strung by a hair from a Protean Lord. Its appearance is in a constant state of flux, causing its color, texture, and general design to constantly shift from one form to another. The bow does not need to be loaded with ammunition, as it magically generates glowing bolts of chaotic light when drawn. These generated bolts burn, crackle, and sizzle with the chaotic energies therein. When such a bolt is fired, it zigzags through the air along a seemingly random path before arriving at its target. This bow always applies the wielder's strength bonus (if any) on damage rolls and may be used with traditional alchemical, magical, or mundane ammunition if desired.
A chaos bow functions as a +1 adaptive, anarchic, corrosive, endless ammunition, flaming, frost, shock composite longbow.
Wow. That's some bow! The flavor text had me expecting a +X anarchic, endless ammunition composite longbow that, due to the projectile's erratic path, ignored cover.
Question about fluff vs mechanics:
The bow does not need to be loaded with ammunition, as it magically generates glowing bolts of chaotic light when drawn (...) This bow always applies the wielder's strength bonus (if any) on damage rolls ...
Why would the chaotic bolt of light depend on the strength of its user? Text and mechanics don't quite agree here.
Also, you basically provided a description to a weapon with many magical qualities. Why not a unique special ability? The fluff talks of projectiles zigzagging along a random path, why not an ability to cancel/diminish cover? [Edit] Ninja'd by Dal Selpher
'findel
|
When I think of something called a Chaos Bow, it seems strange to me that it has fixed properties.
What I would do is make it a magical bow with a set total enhancement bonus and then every time you go to wield it, it has a different set of bonuses that you roll randomly each time.
I think that would be kinda fun.
One fight it's a +3 Distance Axiomatic Bow
Next fight it's a +1 Seeking Brilliant Energy Bow
Then on the third fight UH OH, now it's a +4 Unholy Bow!
To me, THAT is a Chaos Bow.
Wow. That's some bow! The flavor text had me expecting a +X anarchic, endless ammunition composite longbow that, due to the projectile's erratic path, ignored cover.
Isn't there an existing special property for that? Even if there is, I'm running out of room (it's a +9 equivalent already).
When I think of something called a Chaos Bow, it seems strange to me that it has fixed properties.
In that case, you could say it did +4d6 energy damage of a random type (excluding sonic), so one attack could be fire damage while another might be acid or frost or electricity (never sonic). Would that better fit the flavor you think?
I kinda figured the changing appearance was the random element.
I think you can do that, but I think it should have a mechanical effect as well. I really enjoy the Protean Warpwave ability for example because you roll a d20 to see what it does.
Oh God, not another chart! lol.
Yeah, but you don't want to slow the game down with too many extra rolls, especially on every single attack. An archer character could easily get 8+ attacks a round. That would be unfair to the other players at the table.
EDIT: Also, it's an extra chart that would need to be referenced, as pointed out by TCG.
|
|
Yeah, but you don't want to slow the game down with too many extra rolls, especially on every single attack. An archer character could easily get 8+ attacks a round. That would be unfair to the other players at the table.
EDIT: Also, it's an extra chart that would need to be referenced, as pointed out by TCG.
Right, which is why I suggested doing it once a fight, when you first pull out your bow.