A deadly barrage of d4s that each have a low chance to hit! I see your point about how if it's the only other option you have besides saying "I just pass turn", you might as well, but at the same time it'd probably be better for you to just try to take a third option, as both of those suck. Maybe consider a tactical retreat to an area that's more advantageous, or wait and see if whatever is harassing you gets cocky and slips up when it can't go anything to you because of cover.The problem is if you do not even have a sling, you can end up standing around doing nothing in some situations, and that will annoy your team to no end.As stated before, its the ability to do something over nothing. One PC with a bad missile weapon is an annoyance. Everyone in the party using a missile weapon is a deadly barrage. Numbers count.
Except that it probably won't be deadly barrage of just d4s - remember, slings add Str to damage automatically, at no extra cost. Also, slings will not be the only missile weapons carried. Light crossbows and shortbows are fairly cheap, cheap enough for a few 1st level PCs to carry them at least, so at low level it will be a barrage of (d4+str)s, d6s and d8s. At least one member of the party will have a decent dexterity so they will be fairly accurate, and everyone hits on a 20.
At higher level, a masterwork composite longbow adjusted for strength is always a great idea for any character able to pull one. Weapons do not need to be wielded by experts to be dangerous.
My character doesn't carry a ranged weapon because...
back up weapons of any type are repugnant to me.
I had a player who, at fourth level, didn't have a back up melee weapon. (Although he did have a sling staff for ranged work.)
I wish much hilarity had ensued when the PC was swallowed whole.
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... He wants a rail gun, but they haven't been invented yet and he's sulking :(
... That cannon being towed behind his horse? Yeah, that's his range weapon. No way in the nine hells is he carrying that, he's just a halfling! (Sneak attack with a cannon FTW!)
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My character doesn't carry a ranged weapon because he's dead. Because he didn't carry a ranged weapon.
Carry a ranged weapon.
Daron Woodson
Abandoned Arts
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...because I ain't got time for pain.
The only pain I got time for is the pain I'm putting on fools with ranged weapons who don't know what time it is.
(If it's Game Time, it's Pain Time.)
My character doesn't carry a ranged weapon because he's dead. Because he didn't carry a ranged weapon.
Carry a ranged weapon.
Daron Woodson
Abandoned Arts
The More You Know...
My bow has been broken by that Orc, the string of my crossbow is wet, and I've lost my sling.
He is a bear.
What's wrong with having a wet crossbow string?
What's wrong with having a wet crossbow string?
+1 At the Siege of Malta, the only thing that worked in the rain was the old crossbows they had (guns and bows had problems)
http://www.amazon.com/Empires-Sea-Battle-Lepanto-Contest/dp/0812977645
I agree that if you are a primary melee character you should look for a third option rather than rely on a sub-standard ranged weapon.
For example, maybe you could knock out those lanterns hanging from the ceiling so you can plunge the whole room into darkness, thereby preventing the enemy archers from seeing their targets. Now if only you had some way to reach it...
hey why do I need a range weapons when theres rocks where ever I go?
I am a ranged weapon... 15th level monk with winged boots and a magic carpet.
hey why do I need a range weapons when theres rocks where ever I go?
Indeed, and they make excellent ammunition for a sling. ;)
because I can throw my weapons at them!
I agree that if you are a primary melee character you should look for a third option rather than rely on a sub-standard ranged weapon.
For example, maybe you could knock out those lanterns hanging from the ceiling so you can plunge the whole room into darkness, thereby preventing the enemy archers from seeing their targets. Now if only you had some way to reach it...
Most ranged encounters have a tendency to take place outside where there is range. Bottom line a ranged weapon has many uses - not just taking foes down. They are also a good way of getting a dumb monster's attention.
Because DM's are supposed to cater to me and not put me in positions where I have to use a less than optimal method of attack.
If the player fails to acquire ranged weaponry or abilities by accident, or uses roleplay as a justification for their lack thereof, I may alter the game to suit that.
If a player assumes that I will cater to them and thus purposefully only takes melee as an option, I take it as an insult and I WILL force them into combat with multiple flying and ranged combatants.
That toxic attitude will not be tolerated in my games.
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Because DM's are supposed to cater to me and not put me in positions where I have to use a less than optimal method of attack.If the player fails to acquire ranged weaponry or abilities by accident, or uses roleplay as a justification for their lack thereof, I may alter the game to suit that.
If a player assumes that I will cater to them and thus purposefully only takes melee as an option, I take it as an insult and I WILL force them into combat with multiple flying and ranged combatants.
That toxic attitude will not be tolerated in my games.
Welcome back after 1264 days:)
My character dowsn't carry a ranged weapon because I ran out of money after buying a Greatsword and the heaviest armor I could get plus some beef jerky to eat on the road
..My DM took it of my character sheet. Really, not kidding. He said, you are a cleric, "you don't need to shoot, the rest will do that". (First thing I did was obtain a sling and bullets, because we didn't have any money yet.)
Appart from that, nothing..
...I was told I would shoot my eye out (hope that wasn't used yet).
My character dowsn't carry a ranged weapon because I ran out of money after buying a Greatsword and the heaviest armor I could get plus some beef jerky to eat on the road
You couldn't afford a sling?
They are literally free. And weigh nothing
The ammo for them costs 1sp for 10 shots. Ask one of your companions for a silver piece.
Or, alternatively, pick up rocks off the ground and use them. Just like nature intended. Perfect for Scrooge McFighter or a barbarian on a budget.
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My Aberrant Bloodrager has enough reach that she has only resorted to a ranged weapon a couple times and she wasn't particularly effective when she did. Although technically I guess you could count 'fluffy' (Sphinx figurine of wonderous power) as a range weapon.When you smack a fool halfway across the room with your fauchard and can ride your 'kitty' (the sphinx)to chase down flying foes,the damage from an unimproved range weapon kind of loses its luster.
Bottom line, every character needs to know what to do about enemies that are tough to approach. Missile weapons are one good option, but far from the only one.
ranged weapon?
(because I have 4 int?)
Two words: Throw Anything
I've always been of the opinion that your character (starting out anyway) should at least carry each of the three types of weapons (bludgeon, slashing, and piercing) and that one of those should be a missile weapon.
..My DM took it of my character sheet. Really, not kidding. He said, you are a cleric, "you don't need to shoot, the rest will do that". (First thing I did was obtain a sling and bullets, because we didn't have any money yet.)
Appart from that, nothing..
I would have found another GM.
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"because bows are for cowards!!!!" ... said my group's barbarian, in character, until a wandering manticore started strafing him with tail spikes.
A cowardly manticore.
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...the enemy is flying, invisible, and it's a thunderstorm on top of a clock tower. (this actually happened to us)
Wait, your enemy is a thunderstorm? That's awesome! I'm going to have to work that into a game somehow.
Because I'm high level, melee focused, and 8 damage is barely a sliver of the health bar.
Because he has an Amulet of Mighty Fists enchanted with Throwing and Returning.
The reason my Oracle does not have a ranged weapon is because his hands are horribly chared.
... upon character creation, I took a -10 to ranged attacks for an extra feat.
Dimensional agility.