Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DonGnocci 05-17-05, 08:30 AM	I want to develop some NPCs my PCs can encounter during the offtime in the adventure... I want to introduce a character who is a dragonslayer... BUT there is a big difference between normal NSC dragonslayers and this one... I want to build this dragonslayer in a way that he can kill Dragons from a distance with a mere crossbow bolt. (That's why i named him Willhelm Tellorius *rofl*, stems from "Willhelm Tell", a character in a story settled around the time of the founding of Switzerland)
TranquilDarkness 05-17-05, 10:07 AM	First thing that comes to mind is to make a magical crossbow that can fire arrows of dragonslaying. One fun things is that this means the 'dragonslayer' himself need not be impressive or high-level. Another fun option is that the crossbow could be an intelligent weapon - or perhaps even 'the dragonslayer' itself.
DonGnocci 05-17-05, 12:06 PM	Well... that's not such a good option... I wanted the Dragonslayer to be rather impressive in using his magical great crossbow with great skill... kinda hero like Willhelm Tell...
Morka 05-17-05, 12:11 PM	Why not an Arcane Archer? At 10th level, they can create a "death arrow". He could be a ranger with Dragons as favored enemy. To craft slaying arrows, you need Finger of Death, which is a 7th level wizard spell, so he should be at least Wizard 13. Perhaps going Eldritch Knight?
TranquilDarkness 05-18-05, 04:49 AM	I've heard of Tell - story goes 'round he shot his son in the head trying to hit an apple ;) Nobody says you can't adopt the story of Tell and change it. But still - hitting a dragon with a crossbow is no mean feat in itself. You could also go the 'Dragonheart' way - and let the slayer and dragon be companions in a scam.
DonGnocci 05-18-05, 09:31 AM	Why not an Arcane Archer? At 10th level, they can create a "death arrow". He could be a ranger with Dragons as favored enemy. To craft slaying arrows, you need Finger of Death, which is a 7th level wizard spell, so he should be at least Wizard 13. Perhaps going Eldritch Knight? Well... He is similar to Tell... who would NEVER EVER use a normal bow...And he is HUMAN, so Arcane Archer is NOT an option. Besides i'm playing FR 3.0 with only FRCS, F&P, MoF, RoFand MotP as additional supplements as well as all the official "Character-upgrading" books like "Song&Silence", "Sword&Fist". (well... Song&Silence or similar stuff is an option, but i don't want to resort to such IMO overpowered books) @TranquilDarkness: Well... where is the difference between a crossbow and a normal bow? Except that crossbows can do more damage than normal bows by design...
TranquilDarkness 05-19-05, 02:39 AM	What the difference is between a bow and a crossbow? Pretty much the only similarities are the bowstring and the use of a long thin projectile. Actually, the bow can do more damage, but the crossbow has higher average.
DonGnocci 05-19-05, 09:05 AM	What the difference is between a bow and a crossbow? Pretty much the only similarities are the bowstring and the use of a long thin projectile. Actually, the bow can do more damage, but the crossbow has higher average. Uhm... i strongly disagree... because you can give crossbows a bigger drag... I guess one couldn't knock and launch a bow with a drag of 180 lb. but you could load a winch crossbow with the same drag... Know what i mean? Besides... crossbows where invented to beat the advantages of knightly orders (heavy armored, fast hitting) in a mass battle... therefore Pope Urban II banned the crossbow's use against Christians in 1097... because everyone could load and fire a crossbow... it does take litte effort to be "effective" with a crossbow.
TranquilDarkness 05-24-05, 04:08 AM	Yes, the crossbow was easier to use - Yes it can produce more force on average. How they all relate in real life I couldn't tell because I've never been hit with either, and neither have I shot one. I can imagine however that a perfect shot with a normal bow could do more damage than a perfect shot with a crossbow - perhaps depending on the size of the actual projectile, or perhaps it has to do with the fact that a crossbow bolt can go so fast it leaves the body, while a normal arrow remains lodged. However, all real life issues aside, in D&D the crossbow has a threat range of 19-20 with a x2 multiplier, while the bow has a x3 multiplier. The normal bow, therefore, can do more damage.
DonGnocci 05-24-05, 09:01 AM	Well... but a crossbow produces a crit with a base chance of 10%, but a bow only with a chance of 5%... Got the difference?
person29 05-24-05, 08:59 PM	yeah you can have a huge pull weight for the crossbow...more than a normal bow however get the weight up high for a bow and now we are talking mighty..which allows for str damage added in as well so the bow does more damage than a crossbow
DonGnocci 05-26-05, 09:32 PM	Well... why should there be no MIGHTY crossbows? [Note to myself: invent mighty crossbos, write house rule]
person29 05-27-05, 12:45 AM	i think "mighty" is already taken into consideration with the higher base damage of d10 rather than d8 (for heavy crossbows)...it takes more strength to crank it, therefore the higher die
Vapthorne 05-27-05, 12:57 AM	Well... that's not such a good option... I wanted the Dragonslayer to be rather impressive in using his magical great crossbow with great skill... kinda hero like Willhelm Tell... Instead of an Arcane Archer, you could have him as a Kensai with the crossbow being his signature weapon. That'd make him more deadly.