Battle Gauntlet [Archive] - Wizards Community

Battle Gauntlet [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
AJ53
08-07-06, 07:15 PM I find the Battle Gauntlet to be a very, very underpowered weapon from Races of Faerun. It costs 10 gp, does the same damage as your unarmed strike (lethal instead of nonlethal), you are considered armed, and weighs 4 lb. In comparison to a normal gauntlet, which costs 2 gp, does the same damage, and only weighs 1 lb. I think it provokes an attack of opportunity, so perhaps that might be a decent tradeoff. However, let's compare that with a spiked gauntlet- that costs 5 gp, does 1d4 instead of 1d3 for a medium character, does not provoke an attack opportunity, and still only weighs 1 lb. Am I missing something, or does the Battle Gauntlet need a buff to be a viable weapon?
Tony Vargas
08-07-06, 07:32 PM The difference between d3 and d4 is half a point of average damage, and piercing damage is generally less valued in D&D weapons than bludgeoning, so, no, it doesn't seem too out of line.
AJ53
08-07-06, 07:34 PM My problem is that a battle gauntlet costs twice as much and weighs 4 times as much for less benefit. Doesn't make much sense to me.
Ogre4Hire
08-07-06, 07:53 PM Well, Races of Faerun wasn't exactly raising the bar when it came to putting out new stuff. Very little in that book was worth using.
AJ53
08-07-06, 07:56 PM True, but I like the concept. In the description it says it's a thick band of metal that covers the whole forearm and part of the hand- perhaps a +1 shield AC bonus to offset the cost/weight? I dunno, I'm just trying to find a way to make it worth the gp.
CryoSilver
08-07-06, 08:02 PM Don't use tat; wear a gauntlet and dastana; it looks the same for more effect (+1 AC with some armors, plus the hitting stuff part).
Tony Vargas
08-07-06, 08:04 PM Cost and weight seem to count for very little in balancing weapons (and, really - they often look downright arbitrary to me). Rather than add abilities, simply drop the cost and wieght. Maybe 2 lb and 4 gp would be more reasonable?
AJ53
08-07-06, 08:12 PM Hmm... Well, the rapier is balanced against the scimitar based entirely on weight and cost- the rapier weighs slightly less, but is more expensive. Well... Hm. I suppose dropping the price and the weight would work, but I'd much rather make the battle gauntlet more viable for, well, battle.

edit: right, forgot about the finesse thing. Nevermind on that.
CryoSilver
08-07-06, 08:13 PM Rapier is better than scimitar; you can Finesse it.
AJ53
08-07-06, 08:36 PM That doesn't change my request for a way to make the battle gauntlet viable for combat, though.
JiobiValen
08-07-06, 08:48 PM If it interests you at all, I statted something like that out before, perhaps you would like this exotic weapon based off one of the eberron novels.

War Gauntlet:
Light exotic weapon
1d6 piercing or slashing damage 19-20x2
+1 shield bonus, -1 check penalty, 5% spell fail.
Weight: 3lbs. 30gp
The War Gauntlet is an oversized clawed gauntlet that is strapped from your forearm all the way to the shoulder. It is usually used as an off-hand weapon but cases of it being dual-wielded are not unknown. Despite its secondary nature, it is a fearsome weapon capable of tearing through bone and flesh alike with its raking claws as well as utilizing its construction to catch an opponents weapon in the wielders grip without harm.
__DnD4Life__
08-07-06, 08:48 PM you can sunder with the battle gauntlet. You cant with the spiked gauntlet. Just give it a +2 on sunder attempts, and be done with it. Although, sundering with a gauntlet would look pretty cool.....
War Gauntlet:
Light exotic weapon
1d6 piercing or slashing damage 19-20x2
+1 shield bonus, -1 check penalty, 5% spell fail.
Weight: 3lbs. 30gp
The War Gauntlet is an oversized clawed gauntlet that is strapped from your forearm all the way to the shoulder. It is usually used as an off-hand weapon but cases of it being dual-wielded are not unknown. Despite its secondary nature, it is a fearsome weapon capable of tearing through bone and flesh alike with its raking claws as well as utilizing its construction to catch an opponents weapon in the wielders grip without harm.This seems a little weak for a exotic weapon. When compared to a shortsword and buckler, you have all the same bonuses, but lose a feat using this. The only thing gained is 5GP in cost, and 4lbs in weight. Maybe remove the ACP or ASF and it would be good.
Tony Vargas
08-07-06, 08:56 PM That doesn't change my request for a way to make the battle gauntlet viable for combat, though.It is a simple weapon, right? It shouldn't be any more viable than a sickle, spiked gauntlet or other light simple weapon...

As has been pointed out, it's bludgeoning damage is a little more desireable than the spiked gauntlet's piercing (bludgeoning can sunder, for instance). The damage is only half a point less.

Keep in mind that IUS costs a feat and only does one thing that this 'weapon' doesn't...
reese
08-08-06, 02:03 AM If it interests you at all, I statted something like that out before, perhaps you would like this exotic weapon based off one of the eberron novels.

War Gauntlet:
Light exotic weapon
1d6 piercing or slashing damage 19-20x2
+1 shield bonus, -1 check penalty, 5% spell fail.
Weight: 3lbs. 30gp
The War Gauntlet is an oversized clawed gauntlet that is strapped from your forearm all the way to the shoulder. It is usually used as an off-hand weapon but cases of it being dual-wielded are not unknown. Despite its secondary nature, it is a fearsome weapon capable of tearing through bone and flesh alike with its raking claws as well as utilizing its construction to catch an opponents weapon in the wielders grip without harm.

first off, i really like this as is, i've been trying (sort of) to make something like it. but my question is, do you think it would still be balanced to drop the damage to a d4 and give it a +2 on either disarm and/or sunder checks? like you said it allows you to actually GRAB your the weapon of your enemy and just take it away from him. and like _DnD4Life_ else said, sundering with a gauntlet would just be cool... i can see a raging barbarian just punching through a guard's sword... and his shield... and his breastplate... and his CHEST.
JiobiValen
08-08-06, 02:37 AM Well, _DnD4Life_ said it was weak anyway for an exotic weapon so if you agree with that you could..

1. make it a martial weapon, lower the damage die a step and add +2 to disarm or sunder
2. keep it exotic and add +2 to disarm or sunder
3. lower the damage die and add +2 to disarm and sunder.

Never thought anything was wrong with it myself but these are all interesting alternatives.
__DnD4Life__
08-08-06, 04:29 PM Well, _DnD4Life_ said it was weak anyway for an exotic weapon so if you agree with that you could..

1. make it a martial weapon, lower the damage die a step and add +2 to disarm or sunder
2. keep it exotic and add +2 to disarm or sunder
3. lower the damage die and add +2 to disarm and sunder.

Never thought anything was wrong with it myself but these are all interesting alternatives.
Well, the only one of those 3 I would choose is 2. 3 is just weakening the weapon further, since one damage die decrease is alot more of a nerf than a +2 to disarm. Maybe if you added a +2 to disarm and sunder, and make it a tripping weapon, that would balance out the lower damage. Also, since it is strapped to your arm, it is pretty hard to disarm, unless you rip the person's arm off. So, immunity to disarm would be reasonable, as the spiked gauntlet has the same ability. With that in mind, here is what I would stat it out as.
War Gauntlet
Light Exotic Weapon
Damage: 1d6 Piercing or Slashing
Critical: 19-20/x2
Weight: 3lbs
Cost: 30gp
The War Gauntlet is an oversized clawed gauntlet that is strapped from your forearm all the way to the
shoulder. It is usually used as an off-hand weapon but cases of it being dual-wielded are not unknown.
Despite its secondary nature, it is a fearsome weapon capable of tearing through bone and flesh alike
with its raking claws, which gives a +2 bonus on sunder attepmts, as well as utilizing its construction to
catch an opponents weapon in the wielders grip without harm. This allows the weilder to trip more easily with it. Additionally, the weapon is strapped to the arm,
making it impossible to disarm, and granting the weilder a +1 Sheild bonus to AC, with a -2ACP and 5%
ASF.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
AJ53 08-07-06, 07:15 PM	I find the Battle Gauntlet to be a very, very underpowered weapon from Races of Faerun. It costs 10 gp, does the same damage as your unarmed strike (lethal instead of nonlethal), you are considered armed, and weighs 4 lb. In comparison to a normal gauntlet, which costs 2 gp, does the same damage, and only weighs 1 lb. I think it provokes an attack of opportunity, so perhaps that might be a decent tradeoff. However, let's compare that with a spiked gauntlet- that costs 5 gp, does 1d4 instead of 1d3 for a medium character, does not provoke an attack opportunity, and still only weighs 1 lb. Am I missing something, or does the Battle Gauntlet need a buff to be a viable weapon?
Tony Vargas 08-07-06, 07:32 PM	The difference between d3 and d4 is half a point of average damage, and piercing damage is generally less valued in D&D weapons than bludgeoning, so, no, it doesn't seem too out of line.
AJ53 08-07-06, 07:34 PM	My problem is that a battle gauntlet costs twice as much and weighs 4 times as much for less benefit. Doesn't make much sense to me.
Ogre4Hire 08-07-06, 07:53 PM	Well, Races of Faerun wasn't exactly raising the bar when it came to putting out new stuff. Very little in that book was worth using.
AJ53 08-07-06, 07:56 PM	True, but I like the concept. In the description it says it's a thick band of metal that covers the whole forearm and part of the hand- perhaps a +1 shield AC bonus to offset the cost/weight? I dunno, I'm just trying to find a way to make it worth the gp.
CryoSilver 08-07-06, 08:02 PM	Don't use tat; wear a gauntlet and dastana; it looks the same for more effect (+1 AC with some armors, plus the hitting stuff part).
Tony Vargas 08-07-06, 08:04 PM	Cost and weight seem to count for very little in balancing weapons (and, really - they often look downright arbitrary to me). Rather than add abilities, simply drop the cost and wieght. Maybe 2 lb and 4 gp would be more reasonable?
AJ53 08-07-06, 08:12 PM	Hmm... Well, the rapier is balanced against the scimitar based entirely on weight and cost- the rapier weighs slightly less, but is more expensive. Well... Hm. I suppose dropping the price and the weight would work, but I'd much rather make the battle gauntlet more viable for, well, battle. edit: right, forgot about the finesse thing. Nevermind on that.
CryoSilver 08-07-06, 08:13 PM	Rapier is better than scimitar; you can Finesse it.
AJ53 08-07-06, 08:36 PM	That doesn't change my request for a way to make the battle gauntlet viable for combat, though.
JiobiValen 08-07-06, 08:48 PM	If it interests you at all, I statted something like that out before, perhaps you would like this exotic weapon based off one of the eberron novels. War Gauntlet: Light exotic weapon 1d6 piercing or slashing damage 19-20x2 +1 shield bonus, -1 check penalty, 5% spell fail. Weight: 3lbs. 30gp The War Gauntlet is an oversized clawed gauntlet that is strapped from your forearm all the way to the shoulder. It is usually used as an off-hand weapon but cases of it being dual-wielded are not unknown. Despite its secondary nature, it is a fearsome weapon capable of tearing through bone and flesh alike with its raking claws as well as utilizing its construction to catch an opponents weapon in the wielders grip without harm.
__DnD4Life__ 08-07-06, 08:48 PM	you can sunder with the battle gauntlet. You cant with the spiked gauntlet. Just give it a +2 on sunder attempts, and be done with it. Although, sundering with a gauntlet would look pretty cool..... War Gauntlet: Light exotic weapon 1d6 piercing or slashing damage 19-20x2 +1 shield bonus, -1 check penalty, 5% spell fail. Weight: 3lbs. 30gp The War Gauntlet is an oversized clawed gauntlet that is strapped from your forearm all the way to the shoulder. It is usually used as an off-hand weapon but cases of it being dual-wielded are not unknown. Despite its secondary nature, it is a fearsome weapon capable of tearing through bone and flesh alike with its raking claws as well as utilizing its construction to catch an opponents weapon in the wielders grip without harm.This seems a little weak for a exotic weapon. When compared to a shortsword and buckler, you have all the same bonuses, but lose a feat using this. The only thing gained is 5GP in cost, and 4lbs in weight. Maybe remove the ACP or ASF and it would be good.
Tony Vargas 08-07-06, 08:56 PM	That doesn't change my request for a way to make the battle gauntlet viable for combat, though.It is a simple weapon, right? It shouldn't be any more viable than a sickle, spiked gauntlet or other light simple weapon... As has been pointed out, it's bludgeoning damage is a little more desireable than the spiked gauntlet's piercing (bludgeoning can sunder, for instance). The damage is only half a point less. Keep in mind that IUS costs a feat and only does one thing that this 'weapon' doesn't...
reese 08-08-06, 02:03 AM	If it interests you at all, I statted something like that out before, perhaps you would like this exotic weapon based off one of the eberron novels. War Gauntlet: Light exotic weapon 1d6 piercing or slashing damage 19-20x2 +1 shield bonus, -1 check penalty, 5% spell fail. Weight: 3lbs. 30gp The War Gauntlet is an oversized clawed gauntlet that is strapped from your forearm all the way to the shoulder. It is usually used as an off-hand weapon but cases of it being dual-wielded are not unknown. Despite its secondary nature, it is a fearsome weapon capable of tearing through bone and flesh alike with its raking claws as well as utilizing its construction to catch an opponents weapon in the wielders grip without harm. first off, i really like this as is, i've been trying (sort of) to make something like it. but my question is, do you think it would still be balanced to drop the damage to a d4 and give it a +2 on either disarm and/or sunder checks? like you said it allows you to actually GRAB your the weapon of your enemy and just take it away from him. and like _DnD4Life_ else said, sundering with a gauntlet would just be cool... i can see a raging barbarian just punching through a guard's sword... and his shield... and his breastplate... and his CHEST.
JiobiValen 08-08-06, 02:37 AM	Well, _DnD4Life_ said it was weak anyway for an exotic weapon so if you agree with that you could.. 1. make it a martial weapon, lower the damage die a step and add +2 to disarm or sunder 2. keep it exotic and add +2 to disarm or sunder 3. lower the damage die and add +2 to disarm and sunder. Never thought anything was wrong with it myself but these are all interesting alternatives.
__DnD4Life__ 08-08-06, 04:29 PM	Well, _DnD4Life_ said it was weak anyway for an exotic weapon so if you agree with that you could.. 1. make it a martial weapon, lower the damage die a step and add +2 to disarm or sunder 2. keep it exotic and add +2 to disarm or sunder 3. lower the damage die and add +2 to disarm and sunder. Never thought anything was wrong with it myself but these are all interesting alternatives. Well, the only one of those 3 I would choose is 2. 3 is just weakening the weapon further, since one damage die decrease is alot more of a nerf than a +2 to disarm. Maybe if you added a +2 to disarm and sunder, and make it a tripping weapon, that would balance out the lower damage. Also, since it is strapped to your arm, it is pretty hard to disarm, unless you rip the person's arm off. So, immunity to disarm would be reasonable, as the spiked gauntlet has the same ability. With that in mind, here is what I would stat it out as. War Gauntlet Light Exotic Weapon Damage: 1d6 Piercing or Slashing Critical: 19-20/x2 Weight: 3lbs Cost: 30gp The War Gauntlet is an oversized clawed gauntlet that is strapped from your forearm all the way to the shoulder. It is usually used as an off-hand weapon but cases of it being dual-wielded are not unknown. Despite its secondary nature, it is a fearsome weapon capable of tearing through bone and flesh alike with its raking claws, which gives a +2 bonus on sunder attepmts, as well as utilizing its construction to catch an opponents weapon in the wielders grip without harm. This allows the weilder to trip more easily with it. Additionally, the weapon is strapped to the arm, making it impossible to disarm, and granting the weilder a +1 Sheild bonus to AC, with a -2ACP and 5% ASF.