Are there any special properties to allow a metal weapon to be wooden? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Are there any special properties to allow a metal weapon to be wooden? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Grayson
05-31-06, 06:48 PM Planning out a character, and I want a wooden greatsword. Are there any special materials out there that make this possible?
mvincent
05-31-06, 07:06 PM Planning out a character, and I want a wooden greatsword. Are there any special materials out there that make this possible?The ironwood (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/ironwood.htm) spell would do it. Ask your DM if you could make it permanent (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/permanency.htm).
Grayson
05-31-06, 07:14 PM Hrm, that'd work, but not for my purposes. Need it to be an inherent part of the item (need to take it as part of starting equipment, so wouldn't be able to do that kind of wiggling :p)

Thanks for the suggestion though :)
Jaeron Dalur
05-31-06, 07:28 PM You could try basing it on a Tsurani (from Feist's books) sword. Basically it's a wooden sword specially treated with an ultra-hard, very durable, laquer. There are no official rules for it though so you would have to work out pricing with your DM.
GhostStepper
05-31-06, 07:30 PM Look up Bronzewood from the eberron campaign setting. Its perfect for druids who want non-metal swords and such without magic.
Grayson
05-31-06, 07:37 PM Bronzewood would be perfect, but no Eberron is allowed :( My DM is a by-the-book kinda guy, so it needs to be standard stuff.

I'm actually basing the idea on another fictional character (Karsa Orlong, from Steven Erikson's fantastic Malazan series). I want a big guy that kills folks with a wooden sword.

Seems like I might be SOL though, heh.
Kradlo
05-31-06, 07:43 PM Bronzewood from Eberron should do the trick, if your GM allows it.

Page 126 of the Eberron Campaign Setting details the properties of bronzewood: "This exceptionally hard wood, native to Aeranal, is useful in the manufacture of armor and weapons. Unlike most woods, bronzewood can be used instead of metal to fashion heavy armor and weapons - it is somewhat shapeable during manufacturing, and it keeps a sharp edge. Although dense and weighty compared to otehr woods, it is still lighter than steel. Items weigh 10% less when made from bronzewood rather than metal."

Bronzewood has hardness 10 and 20 hit points per inch of thickness.

A bronzewood weapon would cost +500 gp per pound, so your greatsword, at 7.2 pounds (remember the 10% weight reduction) would be an extra 3600 gp in price. That's beyond the means of most first level characters, but if your GM allows it as a legacy item or inheritance, you're good to go.

If that doesn't work, start with a quarterstaff instead. It's basically free, is made of wood, and causes large bruises to enemies. Or go with a greatclub instead of a greatsword, until you can afford better.

Or stick with a metal weapon until you can get the wooden one. Whatever works.
Grayson
05-31-06, 07:46 PM Coming in at 13th level, so can afford pretty much anything. Looks like a greatclub will have to do. Going to take Monkey Grip to kick the damage up to 2d8, and carry around a *really* big stick ;)
Kradlo
05-31-06, 07:47 PM It looks like your reply came while I was typing. A bokken, a wooden sword, could be had, but it deals bludgeoning damage rather than cutting. The stats would be as for a club, I'd say.

Miyamoto Musashi killed quite a few opponents with a wooden sword, some made hastily from an oar.

Again, this might not help you, but it's what I've got to offer on the subject.
GhostStepper
05-31-06, 08:01 PM Miyamoto Musashi killed quite a few opponents with a wooden sword, some made hastily from an oar.

Again, this might not help you, but it's what I've got to offer on the subject.

Actually there is a real martial arts weapon called the eaku which is adapted from an oar. it does kinda look like a giant sword with an extra long handle.
Rulebook
06-01-06, 07:39 AM and of course our homebrew-from-the-board readily acceptable, easily digestable, not second best-able wooden swords!

baiscally, drop the damage one die, change the crit to 20/x2, bludgeoning damage, and wooden hardness/hp.

Wooden Greatsword: 1d10 20/x2, Bludgeoning

seriously easy to convince DMs to allow, because its not broken in the slightest. incredibly balanced.
runestar
06-01-06, 08:58 AM A wooden sword..

1 tiny problem....

Wooden slash? :P

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Grayson 05-31-06, 06:48 PM	Planning out a character, and I want a wooden greatsword. Are there any special materials out there that make this possible?
mvincent 05-31-06, 07:06 PM	Planning out a character, and I want a wooden greatsword. Are there any special materials out there that make this possible?The ironwood (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/ironwood.htm) spell would do it. Ask your DM if you could make it permanent (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/permanency.htm).
Grayson 05-31-06, 07:14 PM	Hrm, that'd work, but not for my purposes. Need it to be an inherent part of the item (need to take it as part of starting equipment, so wouldn't be able to do that kind of wiggling :p) Thanks for the suggestion though :)
Jaeron Dalur 05-31-06, 07:28 PM	You could try basing it on a Tsurani (from Feist's books) sword. Basically it's a wooden sword specially treated with an ultra-hard, very durable, laquer. There are no official rules for it though so you would have to work out pricing with your DM.
GhostStepper 05-31-06, 07:30 PM	Look up Bronzewood from the eberron campaign setting. Its perfect for druids who want non-metal swords and such without magic.
Grayson 05-31-06, 07:37 PM	Bronzewood would be perfect, but no Eberron is allowed :( My DM is a by-the-book kinda guy, so it needs to be standard stuff. I'm actually basing the idea on another fictional character (Karsa Orlong, from Steven Erikson's fantastic Malazan series). I want a big guy that kills folks with a wooden sword. Seems like I might be SOL though, heh.
Kradlo 05-31-06, 07:43 PM	Bronzewood from Eberron should do the trick, if your GM allows it. Page 126 of the Eberron Campaign Setting details the properties of bronzewood: "This exceptionally hard wood, native to Aeranal, is useful in the manufacture of armor and weapons. Unlike most woods, bronzewood can be used instead of metal to fashion heavy armor and weapons - it is somewhat shapeable during manufacturing, and it keeps a sharp edge. Although dense and weighty compared to otehr woods, it is still lighter than steel. Items weigh 10% less when made from bronzewood rather than metal." Bronzewood has hardness 10 and 20 hit points per inch of thickness. A bronzewood weapon would cost +500 gp per pound, so your greatsword, at 7.2 pounds (remember the 10% weight reduction) would be an extra 3600 gp in price. That's beyond the means of most first level characters, but if your GM allows it as a legacy item or inheritance, you're good to go. If that doesn't work, start with a quarterstaff instead. It's basically free, is made of wood, and causes large bruises to enemies. Or go with a greatclub instead of a greatsword, until you can afford better. Or stick with a metal weapon until you can get the wooden one. Whatever works.
Grayson 05-31-06, 07:46 PM	Coming in at 13th level, so can afford pretty much anything. Looks like a greatclub will have to do. Going to take Monkey Grip to kick the damage up to 2d8, and carry around a really big stick ;)
Kradlo 05-31-06, 07:47 PM	It looks like your reply came while I was typing. A bokken, a wooden sword, could be had, but it deals bludgeoning damage rather than cutting. The stats would be as for a club, I'd say. Miyamoto Musashi killed quite a few opponents with a wooden sword, some made hastily from an oar. Again, this might not help you, but it's what I've got to offer on the subject.
GhostStepper 05-31-06, 08:01 PM	Miyamoto Musashi killed quite a few opponents with a wooden sword, some made hastily from an oar. Again, this might not help you, but it's what I've got to offer on the subject. Actually there is a real martial arts weapon called the eaku which is adapted from an oar. it does kinda look like a giant sword with an extra long handle.
Rulebook 06-01-06, 07:39 AM	and of course our homebrew-from-the-board readily acceptable, easily digestable, not second best-able wooden swords! baiscally, drop the damage one die, change the crit to 20/x2, bludgeoning damage, and wooden hardness/hp. Wooden Greatsword: 1d10 20/x2, Bludgeoning seriously easy to convince DMs to allow, because its not broken in the slightest. incredibly balanced.
runestar 06-01-06, 08:58 AM	A wooden sword.. 1 tiny problem.... Wooden slash? :P