Improvised Weapons: How Specific, and Weapon Qualities

[Aydin D'Ampfer]

Relevent Texts:

Improvised Weapons:

Sometimes objects not crafted to be weapons nonetheless see use in combat. Because such objects are not designed for this use, any creature that uses an improvised weapon in combat is considered to be nonproficient with it and takes a –4 penalty on attack rolls made with that object. To determine the size category and appropriate damage for an improvised weapon, compare its relative size and damage potential to the weapon list to find a reasonable match. An improvised weapon scores a threat on a natural roll of 20 and deals double damage on a critical hit. An improvised thrown weapon has a range increment of 10 feet.

My questions:

1. How specific can you be in regards to the weapon you want the improvised weapon to be? Ex: I grab a broom to use as a weapon, but I want to weild it as a quarterstaff, instead of a club.

2. If you specifically choose a weapon to emulate with the improvised weapon, do you get the abilities of the weapon? Ex: I want to use a rope as an improvised whip. Does it get the 'Trip, Disarm, nonlethal, and reach' properties?

[Guardianlord]

The Improvised weapon is what is MOST REASONABLE to compare it to on the weapon list. If the broom has the size of a quarterstaff, then yes the GM and player can agree that it is used as a quarterstaff and not a club. This also means that the item, once it is assigned as that weapon, it cannot later be considered as a club without modification.

The Improvised weapon page seems to indicate that the weapon only gains the abilities listed in the Improvised list. (A glass shard used as a dagger does not gain the improved critical range (19-20) as a dagger would (it remains 20)). SO it seems rope would not gain trip, or disarm special properties, it may gain reach as that is mostly dependent on size. I a not 100% certain on this though.