Arrows: Is there more to them then seen? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arrows: Is there more to them then seen? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Drizztrocks
06-26-07, 07:44 PM Drizztrocks here. Being a beginner at D&D i'm have a question about arrows. In the two towers {book} by Tolkien, it describes Legalos the elf pulling arrows out of the orc and goblin bodies and putting them back in his quiver. Is this possible? And if so, is there odd like 1 in 5 arrows has a broken tip? Seems a little advanced, but if it doesn't exist it might be a great addition to d&d.

I am writing my own little book, and one of the lead characters is all bloodied up, unarmed and knocked on the ground. Seeing an oppurtunity, he grabbed an arrow that was laying on the ground and stabbed the offending half-orc in the eye with it. Wou8ld it be possible in d&d for a pc to grab an arrow off the ground or out of his/her quiver, and fight with it? Like my first paragraph, i think if thats not possible it might be a great addition to the next addition of d&d. :weep: we loved you stevo! Well spread the irwin name!:weep:
jaelis
06-26-07, 07:49 PM The dnd rule is that an arrow that hits it's target is broken, while one that misses has a 50% chance to break. (Except magic arrows, which for some reason always break.) And you can used an arrow as an improvised melee weapon... it's like a dagger, but harder to hit with.
Niek
06-26-07, 07:50 PM No on the first count, yes on the second, old news on the third.

If an arrow hits it is unusable from then on. If it misses it has a 50% chance of being reusable.
You can use an arrow as a melee weapon, look in the PHB under equipment.
Poor steve Irwin, what a way to die...
Loki5654
06-26-07, 07:51 PM (Except magic arrows, which for some reason always break.)
Where'd you get that idea?
Magic Ammunition and Breakage
When a magic arrow, crossbow bolt, shuriken, or sling bullet misses its target, there is a 50% chance it breaks or otherwise is rendered useless. A magic arrow, bolt, bullet, or shuriken that hits is destroyed.
InkBlot
06-26-07, 09:06 PM In D&D, the amount of time it takes to make or fix something depends on how much that thing costs. Since arrows are so cheap, fixing an arrow takes very little time. While adventuring, you could fix your used arrows on the days when you don't run into any monsters.
jaelis
06-26-07, 09:28 PM Where'd you get that idea?

From the masterwork rules:

Masterwork ammunition is damaged (effectively destroyed) when used. The enhancement bonus of masterwork ammunition does not stack with any enhancement bonus of the projectile weapon firing it.

All magic weapons are automatically considered to be of masterwork quality. The enhancement bonus granted by the masterwork quality doesn’t stack with the enhancement bonus provided by the weapon’s magic.

That's good to know that there are more sensible rules in the magic items section.
mvincent
06-26-07, 09:32 PM Wou8ld it be possible in d&d for a pc to grab an arrow off the ground or out of his/her quiver, and fight with it?The rules (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/weapons.htm#arrows) say:
"Arrows
An arrow used as a melee weapon is treated as a light improvised weapon (-4 penalty on attack rolls) and deals damage as a dagger of its size (critical multiplier ×2). Arrows come in a leather quiver that holds 20 arrows. An arrow that hits its target is destroyed; one that misses has a 50% chance of being destroyed or lost."

Legalos the elf pulling arrows out of the orc and goblin bodies and putting them back in his quiver. Is this possible?Despite what others will usually say, this is actually possible per the D&D rules. However, these would damaged or broken arrows rather than 'regular' arrows. Broken arrows could eventually be made into regular arrows via the craft skill, or (at your DM's descretion) used immediately as improvised weapons (i.e. improvised versions of regular arrows) at -4.
mvincent
06-26-07, 09:35 PM From the masterwork rules:

That's good to know that there are more sensible rules in the magic items section.While that is one possible interpretation from the masterwork rules, it is an incorrect one. Magic arrows follow the same breakage rules as regular arrows.
jaelis
06-26-07, 09:37 PM Evidently. So it's only non-magical masterwork arrows that get the shaft.*

*Get it? Har har!
mvincent
06-26-07, 09:43 PM Evidently. So it's only non-magical masterwork arrows that get the shaft.*

*Get it? Har har!I was sharp enough to get the point of your keen pun, but I'm quivering to let slip a volley of my own. My plucky reply is knot meant to nock yew down a peg though.
jaelis
06-26-07, 09:45 PM Ah, your piercing wit is on target as always. Take a bow!
mvincent
06-26-07, 09:52 PM Ah, your piercing wit is on target as always. Take a bow!:bow: :elf:
Drizztrocks
06-27-07, 10:20 AM :bow: :elf:

I rather enjoyed listening to u 2 arguing about two different rules, but the ending with the bow and bowing was hilarious! Thx for the luagh!:bow: :elf: :zzz: he he he
Rustmonster
06-27-07, 01:39 PM Drizztrocks here. Being a beginner at D&D i'm have a question about arrows. In the two towers {book} by Tolkien, it describes Legalos the elf pulling arrows out of the orc and goblin bodies and putting them back in his quiver. Is this possible? And if so, is there odd like 1 in 5 arrows has a broken tip? Seems a little advanced, but if it doesn't exist it might be a great addition to d&d.

Of course you can. Because everyone knows that the LoTR books are core D&D books as well:P .

Sarcasm aside, no, they break in your body. You'd get a smashed arrow, and using the confusing craft rules, I think in about a week of using 8 hours a day you can repair it for about a gp. Maybe. Something stupid like that. I didn't read those very closely. Or you could buy arrows that, like, arn't broken.
Rustmonster
06-27-07, 01:40 PM Despite what others will usually say, this is actually possible per the D&D rules. However, these would damaged or broken arrows rather than 'regular' arrows. Broken arrows could eventually be made into regular arrows via the craft skill, or (at your DM's descretion) used immediately as improvised weapons (i.e. improvised versions of regular arrows) at -4.

I'm not sure you can do that. It says nowhere in the rules you can use broken arrows, or things other than intact arrows, in a bow, as far as I know.

Because then that would get strange, because I could pick up sticks of the ground and start shooting them from a bow, with a -4 penalty, but they would do arrow damage. Or how about I load some daggers into my crossbow? -4 panalty to hit, but it actually increases the damage a dagger does.
deanruel
06-27-07, 02:16 PM If you check out K's races of war he has a variant rule that is very good (like almost all of his). Wherien magic arrows do not ever break but cost 1/10 the price of a normal magical weapon instead of 1/50 (1/20th?). I use it in my campaigns.
mvincent
06-27-07, 02:54 PM I'm not sure you can do that. It says nowhere in the rules you can use broken arrows, or things other than intact arrows, in a bow, as far as I know.The rules have general provisions for improvised weapons. It is up to the DM how this is to be implemented.

I could pick up sticks of the ground and start shooting them from a bow, with a -4 penalty, but they would do arrow damage. Or how about I load some daggers into my crossbow? -4 panalty to hit, but it actually increases the damage a dagger does.I specifically said "(at your DM's descretion)" in my post. I doubt you could persuade your DM that those items could be used as improvised arrows or bolts, whereas many DM's would likely allow some of the used, chipped/damaged arrows to be used as improvised arrows (or even improvised daggers).
lukelightning
06-27-07, 03:24 PM My rule of thumb is that you can recover half the arrows you use after a combat.
Derges
06-27-07, 04:13 PM Couldn't the arrows taken out of a body be 50% of the ones that failed to beat the creatures armor? Which would be exactly the same as normal only more flavourful, right?
mvincent
06-27-07, 04:16 PM Couldn't the arrows taken out of a body be 50% of the ones that failed to beat the creatures armor? Which would be exactly the same as normal only more flavourful, right?That is an excellent observation.
Derges
06-28-07, 03:50 PM Thankyou, I get lucky on occasion. :)
Nephlite
06-28-07, 04:09 PM Drizztrocks here. Being a beginner at D&D i'm have a question about arrows. In the two towers {book} by Tolkien, it describes Legalos the elf pulling arrows out of the orc and goblin bodies and putting them back in his quiver. Is this possible? And if so, is there odd like 1 in 5 arrows has a broken tip? Seems a little advanced, but if it doesn't exist it might be a great addition to d&d.

I am writing my own little book, and one of the lead characters is all bloodied up, unarmed and knocked on the ground. Seeing an oppurtunity, he grabbed an arrow that was laying on the ground and stabbed the offending half-orc in the eye with it. Wou8ld it be possible in d&d for a pc to grab an arrow off the ground or out of his/her quiver, and fight with it? Like my first paragraph, i think if thats not possible it might be a great addition to the next addition of d&d. :weep: we loved you stevo! Well spread the irwin name!:weep:

There is a arrow the can be reused in Magic Item Comprehendruim (says it is a exception though).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Drizztrocks 06-26-07, 07:44 PM	Drizztrocks here. Being a beginner at D&D i'm have a question about arrows. In the two towers {book} by Tolkien, it describes Legalos the elf pulling arrows out of the orc and goblin bodies and putting them back in his quiver. Is this possible? And if so, is there odd like 1 in 5 arrows has a broken tip? Seems a little advanced, but if it doesn't exist it might be a great addition to d&d. I am writing my own little book, and one of the lead characters is all bloodied up, unarmed and knocked on the ground. Seeing an oppurtunity, he grabbed an arrow that was laying on the ground and stabbed the offending half-orc in the eye with it. Wou8ld it be possible in d&d for a pc to grab an arrow off the ground or out of his/her quiver, and fight with it? Like my first paragraph, i think if thats not possible it might be a great addition to the next addition of d&d. :weep: we loved you stevo! Well spread the irwin name!:weep:
jaelis 06-26-07, 07:49 PM	The dnd rule is that an arrow that hits it's target is broken, while one that misses has a 50% chance to break. (Except magic arrows, which for some reason always break.) And you can used an arrow as an improvised melee weapon... it's like a dagger, but harder to hit with.
Niek 06-26-07, 07:50 PM	No on the first count, yes on the second, old news on the third. If an arrow hits it is unusable from then on. If it misses it has a 50% chance of being reusable. You can use an arrow as a melee weapon, look in the PHB under equipment. Poor steve Irwin, what a way to die...
Loki5654 06-26-07, 07:51 PM	(Except magic arrows, which for some reason always break.) Where'd you get that idea? Magic Ammunition and Breakage When a magic arrow, crossbow bolt, shuriken, or sling bullet misses its target, there is a 50% chance it breaks or otherwise is rendered useless. A magic arrow, bolt, bullet, or shuriken that hits is destroyed.
InkBlot 06-26-07, 09:06 PM	In D&D, the amount of time it takes to make or fix something depends on how much that thing costs. Since arrows are so cheap, fixing an arrow takes very little time. While adventuring, you could fix your used arrows on the days when you don't run into any monsters.
jaelis 06-26-07, 09:28 PM	Where'd you get that idea? From the masterwork rules: Masterwork ammunition is damaged (effectively destroyed) when used. The enhancement bonus of masterwork ammunition does not stack with any enhancement bonus of the projectile weapon firing it. All magic weapons are automatically considered to be of masterwork quality. The enhancement bonus granted by the masterwork quality doesn’t stack with the enhancement bonus provided by the weapon’s magic. That's good to know that there are more sensible rules in the magic items section.
mvincent 06-26-07, 09:32 PM	Wou8ld it be possible in d&d for a pc to grab an arrow off the ground or out of his/her quiver, and fight with it?The rules (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/weapons.htm#arrows) say: "Arrows An arrow used as a melee weapon is treated as a light improvised weapon (-4 penalty on attack rolls) and deals damage as a dagger of its size (critical multiplier ×2). Arrows come in a leather quiver that holds 20 arrows. An arrow that hits its target is destroyed; one that misses has a 50% chance of being destroyed or lost." Legalos the elf pulling arrows out of the orc and goblin bodies and putting them back in his quiver. Is this possible?Despite what others will usually say, this is actually possible per the D&D rules. However, these would damaged or broken arrows rather than 'regular' arrows. Broken arrows could eventually be made into regular arrows via the craft skill, or (at your DM's descretion) used immediately as improvised weapons (i.e. improvised versions of regular arrows) at -4.
mvincent 06-26-07, 09:35 PM	From the masterwork rules: That's good to know that there are more sensible rules in the magic items section.While that is one possible interpretation from the masterwork rules, it is an incorrect one. Magic arrows follow the same breakage rules as regular arrows.
jaelis 06-26-07, 09:37 PM	Evidently. So it's only non-magical masterwork arrows that get the shaft.* *Get it? Har har!
mvincent 06-26-07, 09:43 PM	Evidently. So it's only non-magical masterwork arrows that get the shaft.* *Get it? Har har!I was sharp enough to get the point of your keen pun, but I'm quivering to let slip a volley of my own. My plucky reply is knot meant to nock yew down a peg though.
jaelis 06-26-07, 09:45 PM	Ah, your piercing wit is on target as always. Take a bow!
mvincent 06-26-07, 09:52 PM	Ah, your piercing wit is on target as always. Take a bow!:bow: :elf:
Drizztrocks 06-27-07, 10:20 AM	:bow: :elf: I rather enjoyed listening to u 2 arguing about two different rules, but the ending with the bow and bowing was hilarious! Thx for the luagh!:bow: :elf: :zzz: he he he
Rustmonster 06-27-07, 01:39 PM	Drizztrocks here. Being a beginner at D&D i'm have a question about arrows. In the two towers {book} by Tolkien, it describes Legalos the elf pulling arrows out of the orc and goblin bodies and putting them back in his quiver. Is this possible? And if so, is there odd like 1 in 5 arrows has a broken tip? Seems a little advanced, but if it doesn't exist it might be a great addition to d&d. Of course you can. Because everyone knows that the LoTR books are core D&D books as well:P . Sarcasm aside, no, they break in your body. You'd get a smashed arrow, and using the confusing craft rules, I think in about a week of using 8 hours a day you can repair it for about a gp. Maybe. Something stupid like that. I didn't read those very closely. Or you could buy arrows that, like, arn't broken.
Rustmonster 06-27-07, 01:40 PM	Despite what others will usually say, this is actually possible per the D&D rules. However, these would damaged or broken arrows rather than 'regular' arrows. Broken arrows could eventually be made into regular arrows via the craft skill, or (at your DM's descretion) used immediately as improvised weapons (i.e. improvised versions of regular arrows) at -4. I'm not sure you can do that. It says nowhere in the rules you can use broken arrows, or things other than intact arrows, in a bow, as far as I know. Because then that would get strange, because I could pick up sticks of the ground and start shooting them from a bow, with a -4 penalty, but they would do arrow damage. Or how about I load some daggers into my crossbow? -4 panalty to hit, but it actually increases the damage a dagger does.
deanruel 06-27-07, 02:16 PM	If you check out K's races of war he has a variant rule that is very good (like almost all of his). Wherien magic arrows do not ever break but cost 1/10 the price of a normal magical weapon instead of 1/50 (1/20th?). I use it in my campaigns.
mvincent 06-27-07, 02:54 PM	I'm not sure you can do that. It says nowhere in the rules you can use broken arrows, or things other than intact arrows, in a bow, as far as I know.The rules have general provisions for improvised weapons. It is up to the DM how this is to be implemented. I could pick up sticks of the ground and start shooting them from a bow, with a -4 penalty, but they would do arrow damage. Or how about I load some daggers into my crossbow? -4 panalty to hit, but it actually increases the damage a dagger does.I specifically said "(at your DM's descretion)" in my post. I doubt you could persuade your DM that those items could be used as improvised arrows or bolts, whereas many DM's would likely allow some of the used, chipped/damaged arrows to be used as improvised arrows (or even improvised daggers).
lukelightning 06-27-07, 03:24 PM	My rule of thumb is that you can recover half the arrows you use after a combat.
Derges 06-27-07, 04:13 PM	Couldn't the arrows taken out of a body be 50% of the ones that failed to beat the creatures armor? Which would be exactly the same as normal only more flavourful, right?
mvincent 06-27-07, 04:16 PM	Couldn't the arrows taken out of a body be 50% of the ones that failed to beat the creatures armor? Which would be exactly the same as normal only more flavourful, right?That is an excellent observation.
Derges 06-28-07, 03:50 PM	Thankyou, I get lucky on occasion. :)
Nephlite 06-28-07, 04:09 PM	Drizztrocks here. Being a beginner at D&D i'm have a question about arrows. In the two towers {book} by Tolkien, it describes Legalos the elf pulling arrows out of the orc and goblin bodies and putting them back in his quiver. Is this possible? And if so, is there odd like 1 in 5 arrows has a broken tip? Seems a little advanced, but if it doesn't exist it might be a great addition to d&d. I am writing my own little book, and one of the lead characters is all bloodied up, unarmed and knocked on the ground. Seeing an oppurtunity, he grabbed an arrow that was laying on the ground and stabbed the offending half-orc in the eye with it. Wou8ld it be possible in d&d for a pc to grab an arrow off the ground or out of his/her quiver, and fight with it? Like my first paragraph, i think if thats not possible it might be a great addition to the next addition of d&d. :weep: we loved you stevo! Well spread the irwin name!:weep: There is a arrow the can be reused in Magic Item Comprehendruim (says it is a exception though).