A Question of scale (Siege weapons) [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Question of scale (Siege weapons) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Addimarchus
07-23-06, 09:22 PM Just glancing through a little historical 'Osprey' book on ancient Greek and Roman artillery peices and I was wondering how to go about defineing the different range and damage stats for these kind of things.

For example, one of the recreated machines depicted in the book is barely bigger than what I'd imagine say an oversized crossbow would look like ( the sort of thing no self respecting ogre or giant might use, but an evil back shooting one might ) and its performance is rated as "..can punch a hole through two Millimeter steel plate at a range of 50 meters..."

Now some of the devices pictured are realy big, I mean HUGE. the stones they were tossing are weighing in at 78 Kg, with ranges projected out to about 200 Meters.

I'd just like a feeler for damage/range increments for machines like this, beyond the simple couple of stats in the manuals.

It would seem that devices like these, with material science/magical knowledge input, might even give some of the powder weapons mentioned in the DM's manual a good run for their money.

Questions ? Answers ?
Norsesmithy
07-24-06, 12:50 AM The DMG has rules for siege weapons, for example a heavy catapult (trebuchet) does 6d6, and has an absolute maximum range of 100 ft (~305 meters) or 2000 ft (~610 meters) depending on if your Dm rules that a catupult follows the 5 range increments rule for thrown weapons or the 10 range increment rule for bows/crossbows.

A ballista (techincally a catapult, and what is commonly called a catupult is actually technically called a balista) does 3d8, and shoots 1200 feet (~365 meters).
allenchan
07-24-06, 01:08 AM Heroes of Battle has far more detailed rules on siege weapons, along with a plethora more besides "catapult" and "ballista", and it also correct defines them.

A ballista (techincally a catapult, and what is commonly called a catupult is actually technically called a balista) does 3d8, and shoots 1200 feet (~365 meters).

And, no. Technically a DMG catapult is a Mangonel.
Norsesmithy
07-24-06, 01:20 AM I was actually refering to the Greek, as a catapult means arrow thrower, and Ballista means rock thrower.
pyropetey9
07-24-06, 01:43 AM i have to support Allenchan's suggestion that you look into Heroes of Battle. it's an excellent sourcebook, with much that is useful beyond the large section on siege engines.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Addimarchus 07-23-06, 09:22 PM	Just glancing through a little historical 'Osprey' book on ancient Greek and Roman artillery peices and I was wondering how to go about defineing the different range and damage stats for these kind of things. For example, one of the recreated machines depicted in the book is barely bigger than what I'd imagine say an oversized crossbow would look like ( the sort of thing no self respecting ogre or giant might use, but an evil back shooting one might ) and its performance is rated as "..can punch a hole through two Millimeter steel plate at a range of 50 meters..." Now some of the devices pictured are realy big, I mean HUGE. the stones they were tossing are weighing in at 78 Kg, with ranges projected out to about 200 Meters. I'd just like a feeler for damage/range increments for machines like this, beyond the simple couple of stats in the manuals. It would seem that devices like these, with material science/magical knowledge input, might even give some of the powder weapons mentioned in the DM's manual a good run for their money. Questions ? Answers ?
Norsesmithy 07-24-06, 12:50 AM	The DMG has rules for siege weapons, for example a heavy catapult (trebuchet) does 6d6, and has an absolute maximum range of 100 ft (~305 meters) or 2000 ft (~610 meters) depending on if your Dm rules that a catupult follows the 5 range increments rule for thrown weapons or the 10 range increment rule for bows/crossbows. A ballista (techincally a catapult, and what is commonly called a catupult is actually technically called a balista) does 3d8, and shoots 1200 feet (~365 meters).
allenchan 07-24-06, 01:08 AM	Heroes of Battle has far more detailed rules on siege weapons, along with a plethora more besides "catapult" and "ballista", and it also correct defines them. A ballista (techincally a catapult, and what is commonly called a catupult is actually technically called a balista) does 3d8, and shoots 1200 feet (~365 meters). And, no. Technically a DMG catapult is a Mangonel.
Norsesmithy 07-24-06, 01:20 AM	I was actually refering to the Greek, as a catapult means arrow thrower, and Ballista means rock thrower.
pyropetey9 07-24-06, 01:43 AM	i have to support Allenchan's suggestion that you look into Heroes of Battle. it's an excellent sourcebook, with much that is useful beyond the large section on siege engines.