Duel Wielding Boomerangs?

[Truedragon]

Hey guys, I'm a new DM and I have a player who wants to be a thrown weapon specialist. He wants to duel wield boomerangs primarily, while using throwing axes in melee.

But I can't find anything that says if boomerangs are light or one handed weapons.

He makes the point that they are about the same size and weight as starknives. Also that it is functionally identical to the javelin but costs an exotic feat to use, therefore justifying it as a light weapon.

So how would you guys classify boomerangs for handedness?

[Daw]

Your player does know that returning boomerangs are only really used for hunting birds and lizards and similarly small game. To take down a roo you need a heavier non-returning boomerang, but the spin increases range, enhances in-flight stability/accuracy and adds a bit to the impact.

[Jader7777]

The easiest way to make it work is to treat them as thrown daggers, same damage/crit range but they return to the users square if they miss the target but they can't be used in melee without a -4 penalty. So light weapons.

Then just tell him to pick up the thrown dagger related feats, ranger or slayer or fighter will do nicely. There's some nice things for thrown builds in the advanced player guide.

[Andy Brown]

RAW, they're thrown weapons. In melee, probably improvised weapon equivalent to a light mace (they're really not made for melee, most of the damage comes from the speed they travel and the rotation).

And as the description says, they don't return by themselves.

[Daw]

Boomerangs are great dungeon toys though, they fly with a very flat trajectory.

[Truedragon]

Andy Brown wrote:

RAW, they're thrown weapons. In melee, probably improvised weapon equivalent to a light mace (they're really not made for melee, most of the damage comes from the speed they travel and the rotation).

And as the description says, they don't return by themselves.

Well as I said he will melee with throwing axes and yes we are aware of them not returning without magic.

But do you think they are light or one handed weapons?

[CBDunkerson]

Truedragon wrote:

But do you think they are light or one handed weapons?

Technically... neither.

Those are melee weapon classifications, while boomerangs are thrown weapons.

That said, if a boomerang were used as an improvised weapon in melee I would certainly treat it as a light weapon... basically a small curved club.

Thus, I would give it the same classification when figuring out TWF penalties.