A pair of homebrew weapons. Did I balance them enough? [Archive] - Wizards Community

A pair of homebrew weapons. Did I balance them enough? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Red Dragon
09-18-06, 06:53 PM Sorry if this kind of thing is overdone, but I need more direct feedback than I'm getting at the other forum I frequent. Since the Wizards boards has such a massive poster base and plenty of veterans of both homebrew and RAW, I figure I'll get the input I need (whether positive, negative, "ZOMG ROXXORZ" or "Get the **** out of my forum") more quickly and usefully. Anyway, now that I've stroked your collective egos :P ....

Straightsword

Medium exotic weapon. Damage: 1d6 piercing, 18-20/x2. Cost: 80 GP. Special: Can be used as a martial weapon two-handed by a Medium-sized creature, gains +2 on attack rolls vs flat-footed opponents, wielder takes a -2 circumstance penalty on disarm attempts against him. Weight: 4 lbs.

This weapon resembles a rapier, but with a long, thin, tapering blade, sharp only on the tip. It posesses a thin grip long enough for three hands, but posesses no guard. The Straightsword is designed to be used similarly to a rapier, snapping the blade forward as part of a lunge from a standing start. The user then typically returns to a neutral position or snaps the blade backwards and rushes forward again. When fighting with a straightsword, the objective is usually to strike first and strike hard, not allowing an opponent to make a return strike.

Pirate's Ruin

Large martial weapon. Damage: 1d10 slashing, 20/x4. Cost: 95 GP. Special: 10-foot reach, cannot attack adjacent enemies. Weight: 10 lbs.

This unusual weapon is known far and wide as a ceremonial executioner's blade. A polearm-like sword with a blade almost 3 feet long, and a slightly curved hilt over 4 feet long, the weapon is as big as many Medium-sized creatures. The weapon is held at two different points along the exceptionally long hilt and shifted as needed, giving it slashing power equal to a scythe. Since it is traditionally used to execute convicted pirates, many high-ranking law-enforcement officers pick the weapon up to strike terror into lawbreakers.

The main one I'm concerned about is Pirate's Ruin. The weapons I used to run comparisons against it with (Guisarme, Bastard Sword, and Scythe) came up with the result that it's fine where it is balance-wise, but an awkward fit. However, the Straightsword seems slightly underpowered. Suggestions?
Grod_The_Giant
09-18-06, 07:09 PM I wouldn't take the straight sword, simply because it's almost identical to a rapier and I'd rather not waste the feet. the pirate's run seems UNDERPOWERED. Your idea, a greatsword with less damage but reach, is good, but i would change it so that it CAN be used against ajacent opponents (1d10 is kind of pathetic...) also, this way it makes a bit more sense.
fatal error
09-18-06, 09:30 PM Well, it also has a x4 crit, which is supposedly worth a die code of damage. Thus, without being exotic it could be 1d6 or 1d8 (depending on how you value reach), reach, 20/x4. So technically it should be fine for an exotic weapon.

The straightsword is indeed worse than rapier. No finessing it and a measly +2 against flat-footeds while suffering from disarms the entire fight.
Red Dragon
09-18-06, 10:56 PM Alright, so 1d8 damage on Pirate's Ruin should make it balanced correctly?

What should I add to the straightsword to bring it up to par? Finesse, d8 damage, something else, or some combination of the above?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Red Dragon 09-18-06, 06:53 PM	Sorry if this kind of thing is overdone, but I need more direct feedback than I'm getting at the other forum I frequent. Since the Wizards boards has such a massive poster base and plenty of veterans of both homebrew and RAW, I figure I'll get the input I need (whether positive, negative, "ZOMG ROXXORZ" or "Get the **** out of my forum") more quickly and usefully. Anyway, now that I've stroked your collective egos :P .... Straightsword Medium exotic weapon. Damage: 1d6 piercing, 18-20/x2. Cost: 80 GP. Special: Can be used as a martial weapon two-handed by a Medium-sized creature, gains +2 on attack rolls vs flat-footed opponents, wielder takes a -2 circumstance penalty on disarm attempts against him. Weight: 4 lbs. This weapon resembles a rapier, but with a long, thin, tapering blade, sharp only on the tip. It posesses a thin grip long enough for three hands, but posesses no guard. The Straightsword is designed to be used similarly to a rapier, snapping the blade forward as part of a lunge from a standing start. The user then typically returns to a neutral position or snaps the blade backwards and rushes forward again. When fighting with a straightsword, the objective is usually to strike first and strike hard, not allowing an opponent to make a return strike. Pirate's Ruin Large martial weapon. Damage: 1d10 slashing, 20/x4. Cost: 95 GP. Special: 10-foot reach, cannot attack adjacent enemies. Weight: 10 lbs. This unusual weapon is known far and wide as a ceremonial executioner's blade. A polearm-like sword with a blade almost 3 feet long, and a slightly curved hilt over 4 feet long, the weapon is as big as many Medium-sized creatures. The weapon is held at two different points along the exceptionally long hilt and shifted as needed, giving it slashing power equal to a scythe. Since it is traditionally used to execute convicted pirates, many high-ranking law-enforcement officers pick the weapon up to strike terror into lawbreakers. The main one I'm concerned about is Pirate's Ruin. The weapons I used to run comparisons against it with (Guisarme, Bastard Sword, and Scythe) came up with the result that it's fine where it is balance-wise, but an awkward fit. However, the Straightsword seems slightly underpowered. Suggestions?
Grod_The_Giant 09-18-06, 07:09 PM	I wouldn't take the straight sword, simply because it's almost identical to a rapier and I'd rather not waste the feet. the pirate's run seems UNDERPOWERED. Your idea, a greatsword with less damage but reach, is good, but i would change it so that it CAN be used against ajacent opponents (1d10 is kind of pathetic...) also, this way it makes a bit more sense.
fatal error 09-18-06, 09:30 PM	Well, it also has a x4 crit, which is supposedly worth a die code of damage. Thus, without being exotic it could be 1d6 or 1d8 (depending on how you value reach), reach, 20/x4. So technically it should be fine for an exotic weapon. The straightsword is indeed worse than rapier. No finessing it and a measly +2 against flat-footeds while suffering from disarms the entire fight.
Red Dragon 09-18-06, 10:56 PM	Alright, so 1d8 damage on Pirate's Ruin should make it balanced correctly? What should I add to the straightsword to bring it up to par? Finesse, d8 damage, something else, or some combination of the above?