Arm Thyself: a Guide to Weaponry (preliminary thread)

[Covert Operator]

I am writing a guide to weaponry. I wrote large ramble about how some weapons are better than others, and defined a system by which I would rate all the weapons.

Now comes the hard part. I'm planning on writing a table-sort application that you could search through for the weapon qualities you want. If anyone knows of an app that does this well I'd love to hear about it.

Anyway here's a link to the first version of the guide

I'm interested in your feedback.

[lemeres]

I am unsure whether this is the appropriate forum. I tend to see msot of the guides like this gravitate towards the advice forum.

But for actual discussion- You might want to discuss double weapons. While they might go under the 'weird property' table, they are a type of weapon that is extremely valuable for some common builds.

Overall, the main advantage of double weapons is that they can be used either as a 2 handed weapon or a one handed/light combo. This is extremely valuable since it gives TWF builds an option when they have to move before attacking or take AoOs. That is x1.5 str and power attack damage, which allows them from losing all DPR when they can't full attack.

Of course, since they can't be entirely finessed, it is mainly for str based TWF builds. So that means rangers, slayers, and melee classes without essential mental stats (since they can sacrifice for enough dex to get the 'good' TWF feats)

A lot fo the double weapons are exotic, but the quarterstaff and the weighted spear are both simple weapons. Ignoring the quarterstaff (which is wood- a big problem early on), the weighted spear seems fairly serviceable (spear like pointy end, club like bashy end).

Another note- with monk weapons (and close too, for brawlers), you may want to make a note about whether they can be 2 handed or not. Since power attack works independently form flurry, it gives you x1.5 as long as you are 2 handing. That can be a significant increase in power.

[Covert Operator]

lemeres wrote:

I am unsure whether this is the appropriate forum. I tend to see msot of the guides like this gravitate towards the advice forum.

OK thanks, I'll remember that next time.

lemeres wrote:

But for actual discussion- You might want to discuss double weapons. While they might go under the 'weird property' table, they are a type of weapon that is extremely valuable for some common builds.

Overall, the main advantage of double weapons is that they can be used either as a 2 handed weapon or a one handed/light combo. This is extremely valuable since it gives TWF builds an option when they have to move before attacking or take AoOs. That is x1.5 str and power attack damage, which allows them from losing all DPR when they can't full attack.

Of course, since they can't be entirely finessed, it is mainly for str based TWF builds. So that means rangers, slayers, and melee classes without essential mental stats (since they can sacrifice for enough dex to get the 'good' TWF feats)

A lot fo the double weapons are exotic, but the quarterstaff and the weighted spear are both simple weapons. Ignoring the quarterstaff (which is wood- a big problem early on), the weighted spear seems fairly serviceable (spear like pointy end, club like bashy end).

Cool. I didn't much care for double weapons before because of being either exotic or sucky, but that was because I didn't know the weighted spear exists.

I expect to learn a lot a new things about weaponry as I make the tables.

lemeres wrote:

Another note- with monk weapons (and close too, for brawlers), you may want to make a note about whether they can be 2 handed or not. Since power attack works independently form flurry, it gives you x1.5 as long as you are 2 handing. That can be a significant increase in power.

All of my tables are going to have a blurb about them at the top. This includes monk weapons, so that advice will go at the top of the monk table.

Also, (you probably already know this but) Unchained Monk has no restriction of "always deal 1x str damage."

Thanks for your help!

[Imbicatus]

You'll probably want a special mention of the Cestus in the double wepaons area too. A one-handed weapon + a Cestus has all of the benefits of a double weapon (except feats) with none of the drawbacks.

[Arachnofiend]

Imbicatus wrote:

You'll probably want a special mention of the Cestus in the double wepaons area too. A one-handed weapon + a Cestus has all of the benefits of a double weapon (except feats) with none of the drawbacks.

The Cestus is also a very good back up weapon for anyone who uses a slashing weapon; it covers the other two damage types and can be kept always on so you don't need to spend actions to equip it when you need it.

[lemeres]

The weighted spear is a new thing that came from the melee tactics toolbox.

Another interesting item from there- the elven branched spear. A martial weapon for elves (exotic for everyone else), this weapon gives +2 to attack with attacks of opportunity and like the elven curved blade it is a 2 handed finesse weapon. So overall, it is a long spear with a few nice tricks up its sleeves. So nice for reach builds.

Side note- if you get into weapon properties, fortuitous is AMAZING with reach. This +1 property allows you, 1/round, to get a second attack in for the same action that drew an AoO. The second attack is at BAB-5...so you basically get a mini full attack. Obviously it is the 'thing' for reach. It reinforces the superiority of reach and makes your 25' circle of pain an even bigger living obstacle.

If you use fortuitous reach weapons, expect to see the GM throwing minor mooks at you at the start of the round trying to tempt you into using up the property before he dares to move his big guys. So...similar to before with him trying to run out your AoOs per round, but a much more obvious struggle.