Post/Author/DateTime	Post
macfry 09-08-04, 08:34 PM	Originally posted by Thorak: I've seen 'real martial artists' doing just as many funky things with swords of all sizes, and staves up to 6 inches thick (more like logs) as I have with quarterstaves. That's skill and technique. Not Weapon Finesse. Well, I had an idea... what would the stats be for something like that? Well, using the weapon design guidelines posted here (http://www.ucalgary.ca/~ammaster/d_n_d/custom_weapons.html) (and fudging them a bit), I came up with this: Dire Quarterstaff: The dire quarterstaff is usually about 5 feet long and six inches thick, somewhat rough on the outside to facilitate grip. 2-handed Exotic double weapon, 1d8/1d8 20/x3 critical What do you all think?
Eryk Valdemar 09-09-04, 04:14 PM	While it's an interesting idea, (and note: I did not read the original thread with Thorak) I don't really see the neccessity. Really, I think the argument is that martial artists could in fact use such a weapon, but how many would carry it as a weapon? How odd would that be? Seems to me it would make travel more difficult, and besides, it's hard to pull off a huge log as a walking stick if you get into a diplomatic situation. Besides that, doesn't it just lack the stereotypical grace that is associated with martial arts? Granted, many sterotypes should be dismissed, especially in a roleplaying environment, but most people who would choose to play a martial artist would choose it based on those stereotypes: for instance, because they like the idea of a strong but silent, meditative, monk; Or on the other hand, the secretive and introverted ninja assassin. By incorporating a 'log' such as this, it's my belief that you'd actually be taking away from the martial arts idea. While it's possible to wield such a 'dire quarterstaff,' it has no real purpose as a weapon. Instead, a feat should be created, taken by martial artists, that allows them to improvise anything that resembles a proficient weapon (obviously with more restrictions, such as size and style of the weapon. "Resembles" is kind of broad) at only a -1 penalty instead of the -4. Just my thoughts. Eryk