This wonderfully important topic about gnomes with greatswords slipped in to my mind. In Pathfinder RPG small races are using smaller version of the same weapons as medium size races use and also the weapon damage is diminished. I started thinking about the idea of small races using medium sized weapons as two-handed weapons. Wouldn't it inherently have to mean a different thing whether your a gnome warrior with a greatsword or a half-orc warrior with a greatsword? The playstyle should differ in my opinion. I'm not an anti-gnomist but I'm looking for some kind of relativity to physical world and size for that matter besides graphics.
A gnome warrior with a greatsword is an interesting idea, but his prowess should still be based on the quickness of his movements instead of brute force imo.
Whether this can be actualized in PFO, I have no idea.
2 people marked this as a favorite.
|
A small greatsword is used by a small character in exactly the same fashion as a medium greatsword used by a medium character. The only difference is the size of the blade is smaller, so it does less damage on average. Realistically, the half-orc would have a reach advantage over the gnome, and would likely be stronger, but that's really it. Because of those differences, the Gnome would be disadvantaged in offense, but a small target is harder to hit.
A gnome with a medium longsword is at a slight disadvantage compared to one with a small greatsword, all things being equal.
A gnome trying to wield a medium greatsword is going to have a bad time of it.
An easier solution for the Smaller Races is they gain a bonus to dodge and evasion, but deal a % less damage with 'mundane' weapons, ie the 'white' damage, not including enchantments.
Well, Tabletop Pathfinder grants Small creatures a +1 to both AB and AC.
DeciusBrutus wrote: A gnome with a medium longsword is at a slight disadvantage compared to one with a small greatsword, all things being equal.
A gnome trying to wield a medium greatsword is going to have a bad time of it.
A medium longsword is weighted to balance correctly when held in one size medium hand. A small greatsword is weighted to balance correctly when held in two size small hands. Chances are, those two weapons have different balance points, and different ratios of hilt to blade.
Bilbo and Frodo probably didn't have ideal balance with Sting, but 1) neither of them had any martial training to speak of, so they probably couldn't tell, 2) it was magic, and 3) neither of them used it very often, so it really didn't matter all that much.
To be fair, Sting was more like a Medium dagger. Wasn't it referred to as a letter opener, or something?
Kobold Cleaver wrote: To be fair, Sting was more like a Medium dagger. Wasn't it referred to as a letter opener, or something? Sting is closer to elven silverware than it is a dagger.
2 people marked this as a favorite.
|
Kobold Cleaver wrote: To be fair, Sting was more like a Medium dagger. Wasn't it referred to as a letter opener, or something? Yes, Sting was actually a dagger, but in the hands of a Hobbit it was more of a short sword.
"More of a short sword," but probably not proportioned or balanced quite like a genuine hobbit short sword.
Scale up a picture of a dagger and put it next to a picture of a short sword, and you'll see a difference. Same goes for a short sword blown up to great sword length.
Yeah, that's my point. Sting follows those variant rules from the Dungeon Master's Guide. Medium Dagger becomes a Small Shortsword (though I actually think Sting was barely even a dagger).
My point is that swinging a dagger balanced for someone almost twice your height should have a penalty (maybe a -1 to hit) versus swinging a short sword balanced for you. Of course, if Sting was a +2 letter opener, it would still hit better than a non-magical Hobbit short sword.
Sting uses a variant rule that "wielders not proficient with daggers can wield Glamdring without penalties." Gandalf knew that when he made sure that Bilbo got it.
Gandalf a meta-gamer? Why am I not surprised?
Sting probably was at least masterwork, so I'd say it would about even out.
In any case, Bilbo and Frodo and Sam were able to use it well enough to save thier lives so they must have picked up some skills along the way. I don't know what CR Shelob was but from the description in the book, it wasn't low.
KarlBob wrote: Gandalf a meta-gamer? Why am I not surprised? One of the perks of being an angel.
Bringslite wrote: In any case, Bilbo and Frodo and Sam were able to use it well enough to save thier lives so they must have picked up some skills along the way. I don't know what CR Shelob was but from the description in the book, it wasn't low. True. They do seem to have learned to use Sting by then.
KarlBob wrote: Bringslite wrote: In any case, Bilbo and Frodo and Sam were able to use it well enough to save thier lives so they must have picked up some skills along the way. I don't know what CR Shelob was but from the description in the book, it wasn't low. True. They do seem to have learned to use Sting by then. I think it's safe to say at some point during the books, they picked up a PC class level. And pretty much everybody gets proficiency in short swords. =P
Dario wrote: KarlBob wrote: Bringslite wrote: In any case, Bilbo and Frodo and Sam were able to use it well enough to save thier lives so they must have picked up some skills along the way. I don't know what CR Shelob was but from the description in the book, it wasn't low. True. They do seem to have learned to use Sting by then. I think it's safe to say at some point during the books, they picked up a PC class level. And pretty much everybody gets proficiency in short swords. =P Yeah, but this was all back in basic days, their class was "Halfling" :P
Go far enough back, before TSR learned to fear copyright lawyers, and it might have been "hobbit".
What was the copyright issue in the 1st edition of TSR's Dieties and DemiGods?
Bringslite wrote: What was the copyright issue in the 1st edition of TSR's Dieties and DemiGods? It included stats for the Cthulhu Mythos and Elric of Melinbone without permission. It also had stats for Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar, butI think they had permission for it.
Balors were called Balrogs back then.
Winner, winner CHICKEN DINNER*!!!
Congrats Imbicatus
*chicken dinner served at 7:00 pm pacific in Port Angeles, WA
I want some Port Angeles oysters, freshly shucked and cold. That would hit the spot just now. Spent some time in Sequim.
Those are good eats Sir Being. Fine choice. :)
Recent threads in Pathfinder Online
|