Balancing the Zanbatou [Archive] - Wizards Community

Balancing the Zanbatou [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MordethTheEternalPhoenix
10-24-06, 11:51 PM ok...Being a rookie DM and trying to add a few things to the game (after lots of reading and such) I've tried to make a custome weapon type... The Zanbatou. Based off of the weapon that my character uses in a Rp forum or even that starting weapon that Auron weilds in Final Fantasy 10.

So far here's what I've got.

Zanbatou
3d4 19/20 x2 (x3 if masterwork)
Slash/Pierce
2 handed Melee weapon
Exotic Weapon
Prerequisites: 17 Strength and Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Zanbatou)

I still need a price...And I've been thinking...With the High required strength could I justify making it do more damage? 2d10 Prehaps? or more damage vs creatures with armor? (like dragons?)

Any thoughts or concerns about this?
DarkRhystar
10-24-06, 11:59 PM Use a greatsword. It's simple, balanced, and fits the "really big sword" theme.
NoldorForce
10-25-06, 12:08 AM If you're looking for an exotic weapon, I'd suggest the Jovar from the Planar Handbook. It's another thing that fits the "really big sword" archetype.

Note: The Jovar functions identically to a greatsword, but is exotic, has a 18-20/x2 critical, and costs 500 gp.
Necropolitan
10-25-06, 12:16 AM Use my Great Knife stats.

Great Knife

Two-Handed Medium Exoitc Weapon.

2d8 20x3, Slashing.

Speical: If a wielder with Power Attack shifts at least 3 points towards damage, the Great Knife can be used as a 10' reach weapon for the whole round.

Negitive: Due to immense size and unwildey design; you take a constant -2 penality to AC while wielding the Great Knife, furthermore a 17+ strength is required to take the EWP.
Errean
10-25-06, 12:31 AM Ok, took a look at the character you're talking about and that, sir, is a greatsword. Greatswords measure over five and a half feet in length but under seven (I think). In D&D, the next largest sword is the Fullblade measuring in at over eight and a half feet in length. (It's been said that Guts from Berzerk uses a Fullblade)

But if you want to make your own, I have some suggestions. Don't change the crit multiplier if it's masterwork, that's not how standar mechanics work. Don't have it do more damage against armored opponents. And 2d10 is too much damage for any medium weapon. And requiring a stat for a weapon, I think, isn't a good mechanic. The exotic weapon prof is your penalty, shouldn't need a certain stat. That's 2.5, not 3.5.
MordethTheEternalPhoenix
10-25-06, 12:37 AM oops...I forgot to add the minus' to hide checks while using the blade...I think it was something like -4 to hide...

Thanks for your suggestions though. I would have used a great sword, but I wanted something realativly unique to the character...(I intend to make a legacy item from one at some point in the campain. As for the Jovar, I haven't read the planar handbook just yet (adds to list). It's interesting and the Critical is a good percentage to it. I'll look into that a bit more.

As for the Great Knife...higher damage, and crit multiplier... what kind of pricing do you have on it? (sorry if I'm spelling stuff horribly today...)

Edit: sorry I missed the last one... Thanks I'll keep those in mind. I don't think I've seen that Fullblade...what's that one like? (hasn't seen berzerk)
Necropolitan
10-25-06, 12:38 AM It's a chunk of iron that's only relitivly balenced; so take the price for a Large greatsword and that should be fine for a normal version.
NoldorForce
10-25-06, 12:49 AM The fullblade was a 3.0 concept. I believe that it's now considered to be closest to a Large bastard sword.

Planar Handbook has a bunch of neat weapons, from a longhammer (reach weapon) to the aforementioned jovar to the chakram.
MordethTheEternalPhoenix
10-25-06, 12:50 AM If it's the same price then Why would they even bother with the great sword then? Assuming the smiths can actually make one. Even with the higher criticle hit than the great knife, it would still do, on average, more damage. Am I right? So would adding say...50-100 gp work?

Edit: I really must check out this Planar handbook.
Necropolitan
10-25-06, 12:53 AM If it's the same price then Why would they even bother with the great sword then? Assuming the smiths can actually make one. Even with the higher criticle hit than the great knife, it would still do, on average, more damage. Am I right? So would adding say...50-100 gp work?

Why bother is that a Fighter with decent HP won't be bothered by the -2 AC; though it balences it because it makes Touch Spells extra nasty against you; but you also don't take a -2 to all attacks and damage from using Monkey Grip.

Also, a Large Greatsword is 3d6; but this is a Medium weapon that's 2d8; I figure it's replacing the Fullblade in 3.5 and avoiding all the whining over how much Monkey Grip sucks as a feat. The 20/x3 crit. has been proven balenced, so it's not an issue.

100 GP sounds fine.
MordethTheEternalPhoenix
10-25-06, 01:04 AM Ok...That works. See this is why I'm asking. Thank you for your help, I really appreciate your input. Hopefully whatever next question I come up with is a bit more competent in the future. ^ ^
*makes the modifications to quest*

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MordethTheEternalPhoenix 10-24-06, 11:51 PM	ok...Being a rookie DM and trying to add a few things to the game (after lots of reading and such) I've tried to make a custome weapon type... The Zanbatou. Based off of the weapon that my character uses in a Rp forum or even that starting weapon that Auron weilds in Final Fantasy 10. So far here's what I've got. Zanbatou 3d4 19/20 x2 (x3 if masterwork) Slash/Pierce 2 handed Melee weapon Exotic Weapon Prerequisites: 17 Strength and Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Zanbatou) I still need a price...And I've been thinking...With the High required strength could I justify making it do more damage? 2d10 Prehaps? or more damage vs creatures with armor? (like dragons?) Any thoughts or concerns about this?
DarkRhystar 10-24-06, 11:59 PM	Use a greatsword. It's simple, balanced, and fits the "really big sword" theme.
NoldorForce 10-25-06, 12:08 AM	If you're looking for an exotic weapon, I'd suggest the Jovar from the Planar Handbook. It's another thing that fits the "really big sword" archetype. Note: The Jovar functions identically to a greatsword, but is exotic, has a 18-20/x2 critical, and costs 500 gp.
Necropolitan 10-25-06, 12:16 AM	Use my Great Knife stats. Great Knife Two-Handed Medium Exoitc Weapon. 2d8 20x3, Slashing. Speical: If a wielder with Power Attack shifts at least 3 points towards damage, the Great Knife can be used as a 10' reach weapon for the whole round. Negitive: Due to immense size and unwildey design; you take a constant -2 penality to AC while wielding the Great Knife, furthermore a 17+ strength is required to take the EWP.
Errean 10-25-06, 12:31 AM	Ok, took a look at the character you're talking about and that, sir, is a greatsword. Greatswords measure over five and a half feet in length but under seven (I think). In D&D, the next largest sword is the Fullblade measuring in at over eight and a half feet in length. (It's been said that Guts from Berzerk uses a Fullblade) But if you want to make your own, I have some suggestions. Don't change the crit multiplier if it's masterwork, that's not how standar mechanics work. Don't have it do more damage against armored opponents. And 2d10 is too much damage for any medium weapon. And requiring a stat for a weapon, I think, isn't a good mechanic. The exotic weapon prof is your penalty, shouldn't need a certain stat. That's 2.5, not 3.5.
MordethTheEternalPhoenix 10-25-06, 12:37 AM	oops...I forgot to add the minus' to hide checks while using the blade...I think it was something like -4 to hide... Thanks for your suggestions though. I would have used a great sword, but I wanted something realativly unique to the character...(I intend to make a legacy item from one at some point in the campain. As for the Jovar, I haven't read the planar handbook just yet (adds to list). It's interesting and the Critical is a good percentage to it. I'll look into that a bit more. As for the Great Knife...higher damage, and crit multiplier... what kind of pricing do you have on it? (sorry if I'm spelling stuff horribly today...) Edit: sorry I missed the last one... Thanks I'll keep those in mind. I don't think I've seen that Fullblade...what's that one like? (hasn't seen berzerk)
Necropolitan 10-25-06, 12:38 AM	It's a chunk of iron that's only relitivly balenced; so take the price for a Large greatsword and that should be fine for a normal version.
NoldorForce 10-25-06, 12:49 AM	The fullblade was a 3.0 concept. I believe that it's now considered to be closest to a Large bastard sword. Planar Handbook has a bunch of neat weapons, from a longhammer (reach weapon) to the aforementioned jovar to the chakram.
MordethTheEternalPhoenix 10-25-06, 12:50 AM	If it's the same price then Why would they even bother with the great sword then? Assuming the smiths can actually make one. Even with the higher criticle hit than the great knife, it would still do, on average, more damage. Am I right? So would adding say...50-100 gp work? Edit: I really must check out this Planar handbook.
Necropolitan 10-25-06, 12:53 AM	If it's the same price then Why would they even bother with the great sword then? Assuming the smiths can actually make one. Even with the higher criticle hit than the great knife, it would still do, on average, more damage. Am I right? So would adding say...50-100 gp work? Why bother is that a Fighter with decent HP won't be bothered by the -2 AC; though it balences it because it makes Touch Spells extra nasty against you; but you also don't take a -2 to all attacks and damage from using Monkey Grip. Also, a Large Greatsword is 3d6; but this is a Medium weapon that's 2d8; I figure it's replacing the Fullblade in 3.5 and avoiding all the whining over how much Monkey Grip sucks as a feat. The 20/x3 crit. has been proven balenced, so it's not an issue. 100 GP sounds fine.
MordethTheEternalPhoenix 10-25-06, 01:04 AM	Ok...That works. See this is why I'm asking. Thank you for your help, I really appreciate your input. Hopefully whatever next question I come up with is a bit more competent in the future. ^ ^ makes the modifications to quest