Arrow design creativity

[Linkman81]

I'm currently playing an archer build and I've trying to take advantage of the different feats and abilities granted to an archer build. After speaking with my GM about making fire arrows... he recommended that I look into making barbed arrows because if an enemy gets shot with a fire arrow, he's going to spend a move action on their next turn to try and pull our the arrow and negate the fire effects (his game his rules). So I asked him... is the sky the limit for my arrow designs as long as I account for the cost, material, and skill in making them? He said "yes."

Soooo, I need some creative ideas to make my arrows badass. I've read on some forums where people have attached holy water vials and oil soaked wool for fire arrows... what else can you think of. Barbed arrows, of course, to prevent being pulled out. There are already a number of different arrow designs already in the game that deal slashing damage instead of piercing, or deal effects like bleeding. Then, of course, there are the different material types like silver, adamantine, etc. that bypass DR.

Any other creative ideas that would give me some extra added effects. It appears the GM will reward creativity in this regard for my character. I do have the Called Shot feats in my plans so arrow designs that are specific for a part of the body could work. For instance, the feat Manyshot which I plan to get at lvl 6 fires two arrows at once. I don't see why I couldn't fasten a rope to each and perform a called shot on the person's legs (given they are bipedal) and do a trip maneuver. He may not allow it, without a penalty to the attack roll on top of the called shot penalty... but I'm looking for ideas like that.

[Claxon]

So, fire arrows (depending on exactly what you mean) wont really catch a target on fire.

Assuming you mean the flaming enchant the definitely don't.

Assuming you mean incendiary arrows, on a critical hit the enemy can catch fire on top of the normal 1 point of fire damage it deals.

Barbed arrows wouldn't help, because they simple give an arrow the ability to grapple an enemy. Basically functioning like a mini-harpoon.

Why don't you look through these arrows before you try to make things up.

I mean, you could make up literally anything, but that isn't going to be balanced.

If you really want a giant money sink of an arrow just build this

[blackbloodtroll]

Yeah, there are a crapload of preexisting special arrows.

You really don't need to make stuff up, if it already exists.

[Dave Justus]

One of the downsides of a rules heavy game like Pathfinder, is that to an extent it limits creativity and spontaneous ideas. For example, your 'bolo arrow' is kind of clever, but when a feat like Ranged Trip exists, it is difficult to allow it.

Obviously your GM can choose to play fairly loose with the rules, and it seems to me from your post that is the sort of game you are playing it, which is certainly ok, but it is difficult for strangers who haven't really experienced your GMs style to give you a lot of advice, particularly since most active users of the boards are focused on how to apply the rules.

That said, if you want varied effects from arrows beyond damage, I would look at the link Claxon provided, and as well as those arrows look at the dirty trick combat manuever and the various conditions it can impose and see if those two things together can inspire some unique and different arrows that are unique.

For example, an alternate splinter cloud arrow might instead of exploding for an area of damage, instead explode with blinding dust. I would require, at minimum, a second role of CMB against CMD like a normal dirty trick for the blinding to occur, but the exact mechanics will have to be between you and your GM and what would be 'balanced' would depend greatly on how far the game is from the typical rules.

[blackbloodtroll]

Actually, the "Bolas Arrows" already exist, but as a type of bolt, for a special crossbow, known as the Slaver's Crossbow.

There are also already Smoke Arrows, to "blind" enemies, and Incendiary arrows, which can catch creatures/things on fire.