A Sword of Sharpness [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Sword of Sharpness [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
RoadKillCafe
03-31-05, 03:32 AM I have a player who wants to have something like the old Sword of Sharpness but I haven't been able to find anything in any of my books...anyone out there know of anything?
Eliza_Stormwhisper
03-31-05, 03:39 AM I have a player who wants to have something like the old Sword of Sharpness but I haven't been able to find anything in any of my books...anyone out there know of anything?

There's nothing of the sort in any 3.0 or 3.5 book. I'd do this:

On a confirmed critical hit, the sword of sharpness severs an extremity (arm, leg, neck, tail, etc.) randomly determined by a die roll. Here's my suggestion for a table for humanoids:

d6 roll
1: No effect (but it's still a normal crit)
2: Left leg
3: Right leg
4: Left arm
5: Right arm
6: Head

And of course, creatures not subject to critical hits are not subject to the sword of sharpness' extremity severing. As for the cost, I'd make it the price of a +4 bonus. Those are my suggestions.
spyderfreek
03-31-05, 03:56 AM d6 roll
1: No effect (but it's still a normal crit)
2: Left leg
3: Right leg
4: Left arm
5: Right arm
6: Head

I agree except no head, that takes away from vorpal, make it a +1 crit if roll a 6
Santrilla
03-31-05, 04:11 AM Hmm, that's a tricky system to use because limb removal isn't really fully catered for in 3.X (from what I've seen). If a fighter loses an arm, does he lose an attack? If someone loses a leg, does their speed go down? Do you permanently lose hitpoints when you lose a limb? Because hitpoints are an abstract system, it looks like you'd have to houserule this in.
Eliza_Stormwhisper
03-31-05, 04:45 AM Hmm, that's a tricky system to use because limb removal isn't really fully catered for in 3.X (from what I've seen). If a fighter loses an arm, does he lose an attack? If someone loses a leg, does their speed go down? Do you permanently lose hitpoints when you lose a limb? Because hitpoints are an abstract system, it looks like you'd have to houserule this in.

Yes... the system I use is similar to the one outlined in the 2nd edition "Player's Option: Combat & Tactics." Actually, I made that up off the top of my head, but here's a bit more detail now that I hunted down the book:

Assuming you confirm the crit, roll a d10 for location:
1-2: Right leg
3-4: Left leg
5: Abdomen
6-7: Torso
8: Right arm
9: Left arm
10: Head

You then roll damage. The target takes that many hit points of damage, and in addition, take the damage done without bonuses or multipliers (also called "weapon damage") and consult the following tables:

Location: Legs
1-3: No unusual effect
4: Leg struck, minor bleeding (Lose 1 hp per round until healed)
5: Leg struck, minor bleeding, 1/2 move
6: Leg struck, major bleeding (Lose 2 hp per round until healed), 1/2 move
7: Armor damaged; leg injured if target has no leg armor, 1/2 move, major bleeding
8: Knee shattered, no move, -4 penalty to attacks, major bleeding
9: Armor damaged, leg struck, minor bleeding, 1/2 move; if target has no leg armor, leg severed at knee, no move or attack
10: Hip shattered, no move or attack, severe bleeding (Lose 5 hp per round until healed)
11: Leg severed at knee, no move or attack, severe bleeding
12: Leg severed at thigh, no move or attack, victim reduced to 0 hit points with severe bleeding
13+: As above with triple damage dice

Location: Abdomen
1-3: No unusual effect
4: Abdomen grazed, minor bleeding
5: Abdomen struck, victim stunned one round, 1/2 move, minor bleeding
6: Armor damaged; abdomen struck, victim stunned 1d6 rounds, 1/2 move, minor bleeding
7: Abdomen injured, major bleeding, -2 penalty to attacks
8: Abdomen injured, severe bleeding, -4 penalty to attacks
9: Armor damaged, abdomen struck, minor bleeding, 1/2 move and -2 to attacks; if target has no armor, victim at 0 hit points, major bleeding
10: Abdomen injured, no move or attack, severe bleeding
11: Abdomen injured, no move or attack, victim at 0 hp, severe bleeding
12: Abdomen destroyed, victim killed
13+: As above with triple damage dice

Location: Torso
1-3: No unusual effect
4: Torso grazed, minor bleeding
5: Torso, victim stunned one round, 1/2 move, minor bleeding
6: Shield damage, torso struck, 1/2 move and minor bleeding
7: Armor damage, torso struck, 1/2 move, -2 penalty to attacks; if no armor, torso injured, no move or attack, severe bleeding
8: Torso injured, major bleeding, 1/2 move, -4 penalty to attacks
9: Shield damage, torso struck, minor bleeding, 1/2 move; if no shield, torso injured, severe bleeding, no move or attack
10: Torso injured, no move or attack, severe bleeding
11: Torso injured, no move or attack, victim at 0 hp, severe bleeding
12: Torso destroyed, victim killed
13+: As above with triple damage dice

Location: Arms
1-3: No unusual effect
4: Hand struck, weapon dropped, minor bleeding, no effect on shield arm
5: Arm struck, shield damage/weapon dropped, minor bleeding
6: Hand injured, -2 penalty to attacks/shield dropped
7: Armor damage, arm struck, minor bleeding; if no armor, arm injured, major bleeding
8: Hand severed, stunned 1 round, weapon or shield dropped
9: Armor damaged, arm broken; if no armor, arm severed, stunned 1d6 rounds, major bleeding
10: Shoulder injured, no attacks, major bleeding
11: Arm severed, severe bleeding, no attacks
12: Arm severed, severe bleeding, no move or attack
13+: As above with tripled damage dice

Location: Head (ouch)
1-3: No unusual effect
4: Head grazed, stunned 1d3 rounds, minor bleeding
5: Head struck, helm removed, stunned 1 round, -2 on attacks, minor bleeding if victim had no helm
6: Head struck, minor bleeding, victim blinded 2d4 rounds by blood in eyes
7: Helm damaged, face injured, stunned 1d6 rounds, minor bleeding, 1/2 move, -4 to attacks
8: Skull broken, helm damaged, victim reduced to 0 hit points, major bleeding
9: Throat injured, severe bleeding
10: Skull destroyed, severe bleeding, victim reduced to 0 hp, Int, Wis and Cha all drop by 1/2 permanently
11: Throat destroyed, victim killed
12: Head severed, immediate death
13+: As above with tripled damage dice

So let's say you're fighting an orc, and you're using a greatsword. You roll 20, 20, 10, 12. You, sir, just chopped his head off.
Santrilla
03-31-05, 06:57 AM Looks like you've got it sorted, then :)
jasper
03-31-05, 08:49 AM Hmm, that's a tricky system to use because limb removal isn't really fully catered for in 3.X (from what I've seen). If a fighter loses an arm, does he lose an attack? If someone loses a leg, does their speed go down? Do you permanently lose hitpoints when you lose a limb? Because hitpoints are an abstract system, it looks like you'd have to houserule this in.
As was the same in other editions. Lose the attack for 1 month while he retrains. Half speed until he gets a peg leg then 3/4 speed. No permanently hit pts lost but I may go with a -1 con for a month for recovery.
This is similiar to the system ok house rule I used in 1st. The only difference is the -1 con may have greater affects.
tarkin
03-31-05, 10:23 AM The above ideas all suffer from false interpretations of D20 combat, and the reasonableness of continuing after losing a limb.

D20 is actually fairly realistic when it comes to combat - losing hit points does NOT mean a real hit - it is just a scratch. The first real hit is at 0 hit points. Despite the movies, losing a limb is the equivelent of going to 0 hit points, you can NOT fight on after it happens. You fall down and are effectively unable to fight. Ask any Veteran that lost an arm and he will tell you "No, I did not keep firing my weapon, my name is not Wolverine."

----------------

That said, here is what I would consider a reasonable version of a Sword of Sharpness (note the similarity to Vorpal):

Sharpness: This potent and feared ability allows the weapon to sever the limbs of those it strikes, rendering them instantly to -1 hitpoints. Upon a roll of natural 20 (followed by a successful roll to confirm the critical hit), the weapon severs an opponent’s limb (roll d4 randomly: 1 = left arm, 2 = right arm, 3 = left leg, 4 = right leg). Some creatures, such as many aberrations and all oozes, have no limbs. Others, such as golems, people with the Die Hard feat, and undead creatures are not affected by the loss of their limbs significnatly (although they may drop weapons/lose magic items attached to feet). Regenerating creatures may attempt to re-attach their limb. Most other creatures, however, are instantly rendered disabled when their limbs are cut off. A Sharpness weapon must be a slashing weapon. (If you roll this property randomly for an inappropriate weapon, reroll.)

Strong necromancy and transmutation; CL 14th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, circle of death, keen edge; Price +4 bonus.
lukelightning
03-31-05, 10:48 AM I'd just call it keen.
Gloriam Etriae
03-31-05, 11:22 AM I'd just call it keen.

I agree; make it a keen weapon of the appropriate bonus. (Wasn't the sword of sharpness a +2 weapon back then?)
lukelightning
03-31-05, 11:35 AM How about a "sharpness" quality that increases the threat range like keen and also adds +4 to crit confirmations?
Wyrd Bearer
03-31-05, 11:42 AM Sword of Sharpness? Never heard of it as I started with 3ed and have only had little experience with 2ed. The closest thing I can think of is the Angelwing Razor in the BoVD, cept it is a major artifact, so I doubt you're feeling that generous. And that was also back in 3.0 ed when vorpal was actually something that was useful :D .

Nice enhancement there Tarkin, by the way, but just like vorpal, it is something that I'd never see being used.

Hmm, for the sword of sharpness, I'd personally make it a unique +2 longsword that is keen and has the inherent property of granting +2 (or maybe even +4) to the roll to confirm critical hits that would stack with the power critical feat.

*edit* Dang it Luke, you're lightning quick on the draw there!
Mandarbgrim
03-31-05, 12:01 PM You could also make it increase the critical multiplier..not sure how you would balance that, though.. +2?
Shadowfax7
03-31-05, 12:57 PM Tarkin, I like your "Sharpness" ability . . . IMO I would make the victim go to 0 HP (and be disabled) rather than -1 HP since they would automatically be unconscious then.

This is suppose to be a heroic game afterall, maybe the victim is awake, but in shock, thus disabled and if he takes another standard action he falls unconscious from the pain.

Also, those with Diehard would be able to fight on until death even if they lost a limb !!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
RoadKillCafe 03-31-05, 03:32 AM	I have a player who wants to have something like the old Sword of Sharpness but I haven't been able to find anything in any of my books...anyone out there know of anything?
Eliza_Stormwhisper 03-31-05, 03:39 AM	I have a player who wants to have something like the old Sword of Sharpness but I haven't been able to find anything in any of my books...anyone out there know of anything? There's nothing of the sort in any 3.0 or 3.5 book. I'd do this: On a confirmed critical hit, the sword of sharpness severs an extremity (arm, leg, neck, tail, etc.) randomly determined by a die roll. Here's my suggestion for a table for humanoids: d6 roll 1: No effect (but it's still a normal crit) 2: Left leg 3: Right leg 4: Left arm 5: Right arm 6: Head And of course, creatures not subject to critical hits are not subject to the sword of sharpness' extremity severing. As for the cost, I'd make it the price of a +4 bonus. Those are my suggestions.
spyderfreek 03-31-05, 03:56 AM	d6 roll 1: No effect (but it's still a normal crit) 2: Left leg 3: Right leg 4: Left arm 5: Right arm 6: Head I agree except no head, that takes away from vorpal, make it a +1 crit if roll a 6
Santrilla 03-31-05, 04:11 AM	Hmm, that's a tricky system to use because limb removal isn't really fully catered for in 3.X (from what I've seen). If a fighter loses an arm, does he lose an attack? If someone loses a leg, does their speed go down? Do you permanently lose hitpoints when you lose a limb? Because hitpoints are an abstract system, it looks like you'd have to houserule this in.
Eliza_Stormwhisper 03-31-05, 04:45 AM	Hmm, that's a tricky system to use because limb removal isn't really fully catered for in 3.X (from what I've seen). If a fighter loses an arm, does he lose an attack? If someone loses a leg, does their speed go down? Do you permanently lose hitpoints when you lose a limb? Because hitpoints are an abstract system, it looks like you'd have to houserule this in. Yes... the system I use is similar to the one outlined in the 2nd edition "Player's Option: Combat & Tactics." Actually, I made that up off the top of my head, but here's a bit more detail now that I hunted down the book: Assuming you confirm the crit, roll a d10 for location: 1-2: Right leg 3-4: Left leg 5: Abdomen 6-7: Torso 8: Right arm 9: Left arm 10: Head You then roll damage. The target takes that many hit points of damage, and in addition, take the damage done without bonuses or multipliers (also called "weapon damage") and consult the following tables: Location: Legs 1-3: No unusual effect 4: Leg struck, minor bleeding (Lose 1 hp per round until healed) 5: Leg struck, minor bleeding, 1/2 move 6: Leg struck, major bleeding (Lose 2 hp per round until healed), 1/2 move 7: Armor damaged; leg injured if target has no leg armor, 1/2 move, major bleeding 8: Knee shattered, no move, -4 penalty to attacks, major bleeding 9: Armor damaged, leg struck, minor bleeding, 1/2 move; if target has no leg armor, leg severed at knee, no move or attack 10: Hip shattered, no move or attack, severe bleeding (Lose 5 hp per round until healed) 11: Leg severed at knee, no move or attack, severe bleeding 12: Leg severed at thigh, no move or attack, victim reduced to 0 hit points with severe bleeding 13+: As above with triple damage dice Location: Abdomen 1-3: No unusual effect 4: Abdomen grazed, minor bleeding 5: Abdomen struck, victim stunned one round, 1/2 move, minor bleeding 6: Armor damaged; abdomen struck, victim stunned 1d6 rounds, 1/2 move, minor bleeding 7: Abdomen injured, major bleeding, -2 penalty to attacks 8: Abdomen injured, severe bleeding, -4 penalty to attacks 9: Armor damaged, abdomen struck, minor bleeding, 1/2 move and -2 to attacks; if target has no armor, victim at 0 hit points, major bleeding 10: Abdomen injured, no move or attack, severe bleeding 11: Abdomen injured, no move or attack, victim at 0 hp, severe bleeding 12: Abdomen destroyed, victim killed 13+: As above with triple damage dice Location: Torso 1-3: No unusual effect 4: Torso grazed, minor bleeding 5: Torso, victim stunned one round, 1/2 move, minor bleeding 6: Shield damage, torso struck, 1/2 move and minor bleeding 7: Armor damage, torso struck, 1/2 move, -2 penalty to attacks; if no armor, torso injured, no move or attack, severe bleeding 8: Torso injured, major bleeding, 1/2 move, -4 penalty to attacks 9: Shield damage, torso struck, minor bleeding, 1/2 move; if no shield, torso injured, severe bleeding, no move or attack 10: Torso injured, no move or attack, severe bleeding 11: Torso injured, no move or attack, victim at 0 hp, severe bleeding 12: Torso destroyed, victim killed 13+: As above with triple damage dice Location: Arms 1-3: No unusual effect 4: Hand struck, weapon dropped, minor bleeding, no effect on shield arm 5: Arm struck, shield damage/weapon dropped, minor bleeding 6: Hand injured, -2 penalty to attacks/shield dropped 7: Armor damage, arm struck, minor bleeding; if no armor, arm injured, major bleeding 8: Hand severed, stunned 1 round, weapon or shield dropped 9: Armor damaged, arm broken; if no armor, arm severed, stunned 1d6 rounds, major bleeding 10: Shoulder injured, no attacks, major bleeding 11: Arm severed, severe bleeding, no attacks 12: Arm severed, severe bleeding, no move or attack 13+: As above with tripled damage dice Location: Head (ouch) 1-3: No unusual effect 4: Head grazed, stunned 1d3 rounds, minor bleeding 5: Head struck, helm removed, stunned 1 round, -2 on attacks, minor bleeding if victim had no helm 6: Head struck, minor bleeding, victim blinded 2d4 rounds by blood in eyes 7: Helm damaged, face injured, stunned 1d6 rounds, minor bleeding, 1/2 move, -4 to attacks 8: Skull broken, helm damaged, victim reduced to 0 hit points, major bleeding 9: Throat injured, severe bleeding 10: Skull destroyed, severe bleeding, victim reduced to 0 hp, Int, Wis and Cha all drop by 1/2 permanently 11: Throat destroyed, victim killed 12: Head severed, immediate death 13+: As above with tripled damage dice So let's say you're fighting an orc, and you're using a greatsword. You roll 20, 20, 10, 12. You, sir, just chopped his head off.
Santrilla 03-31-05, 06:57 AM	Looks like you've got it sorted, then :)
jasper 03-31-05, 08:49 AM	Hmm, that's a tricky system to use because limb removal isn't really fully catered for in 3.X (from what I've seen). If a fighter loses an arm, does he lose an attack? If someone loses a leg, does their speed go down? Do you permanently lose hitpoints when you lose a limb? Because hitpoints are an abstract system, it looks like you'd have to houserule this in. As was the same in other editions. Lose the attack for 1 month while he retrains. Half speed until he gets a peg leg then 3/4 speed. No permanently hit pts lost but I may go with a -1 con for a month for recovery. This is similiar to the system ok house rule I used in 1st. The only difference is the -1 con may have greater affects.
tarkin 03-31-05, 10:23 AM	The above ideas all suffer from false interpretations of D20 combat, and the reasonableness of continuing after losing a limb. D20 is actually fairly realistic when it comes to combat - losing hit points does NOT mean a real hit - it is just a scratch. The first real hit is at 0 hit points. Despite the movies, losing a limb is the equivelent of going to 0 hit points, you can NOT fight on after it happens. You fall down and are effectively unable to fight. Ask any Veteran that lost an arm and he will tell you "No, I did not keep firing my weapon, my name is not Wolverine." ---------------- That said, here is what I would consider a reasonable version of a Sword of Sharpness (note the similarity to Vorpal): Sharpness: This potent and feared ability allows the weapon to sever the limbs of those it strikes, rendering them instantly to -1 hitpoints. Upon a roll of natural 20 (followed by a successful roll to confirm the critical hit), the weapon severs an opponent’s limb (roll d4 randomly: 1 = left arm, 2 = right arm, 3 = left leg, 4 = right leg). Some creatures, such as many aberrations and all oozes, have no limbs. Others, such as golems, people with the Die Hard feat, and undead creatures are not affected by the loss of their limbs significnatly (although they may drop weapons/lose magic items attached to feet). Regenerating creatures may attempt to re-attach their limb. Most other creatures, however, are instantly rendered disabled when their limbs are cut off. A Sharpness weapon must be a slashing weapon. (If you roll this property randomly for an inappropriate weapon, reroll.) Strong necromancy and transmutation; CL 14th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, circle of death, keen edge; Price +4 bonus.
lukelightning 03-31-05, 10:48 AM	I'd just call it keen.
Gloriam Etriae 03-31-05, 11:22 AM	I'd just call it keen. I agree; make it a keen weapon of the appropriate bonus. (Wasn't the sword of sharpness a +2 weapon back then?)
lukelightning 03-31-05, 11:35 AM	How about a "sharpness" quality that increases the threat range like keen and also adds +4 to crit confirmations?
Wyrd Bearer 03-31-05, 11:42 AM	Sword of Sharpness? Never heard of it as I started with 3ed and have only had little experience with 2ed. The closest thing I can think of is the Angelwing Razor in the BoVD, cept it is a major artifact, so I doubt you're feeling that generous. And that was also back in 3.0 ed when vorpal was actually something that was useful :D . Nice enhancement there Tarkin, by the way, but just like vorpal, it is something that I'd never see being used. Hmm, for the sword of sharpness, I'd personally make it a unique +2 longsword that is keen and has the inherent property of granting +2 (or maybe even +4) to the roll to confirm critical hits that would stack with the power critical feat. edit Dang it Luke, you're lightning quick on the draw there!
Mandarbgrim 03-31-05, 12:01 PM	You could also make it increase the critical multiplier..not sure how you would balance that, though.. +2?
Shadowfax7 03-31-05, 12:57 PM	Tarkin, I like your "Sharpness" ability . . . IMO I would make the victim go to 0 HP (and be disabled) rather than -1 HP since they would automatically be unconscious then. This is suppose to be a heroic game afterall, maybe the victim is awake, but in shock, thus disabled and if he takes another standard action he falls unconscious from the pain. Also, those with Diehard would be able to fight on until death even if they lost a limb !!