Best Effort NON-Magic Bow. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best Effort NON-Magic Bow. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Tsh77769
11-19-05, 04:55 AM I'm trying to see what I can come up with in terms of options. I am the GM in this game and I want to develop a cool bow for the Archery based Ranger in the group and allow him the option of purchasing or trading for it. I would also like to know for own future use as a player what can be done.

Best Effort NON-Magic Bow.

Base Weapon: Composite Long Bow if you are not willing to spend an Exotic WP feat, or Composite Great Bow if you are.

Dragon Bane (Bone?) Bow (from Dragonomicon) QUESTION: Is there any reason why you could not have a Greatbow version of this thing? What about an Elvencraft version (to be able to use it as a blunt melee weapon)? I forget the cost, but it improved the range increment by 20' and was considred a composite bow.

Masterwork +300gp

Mighty Bow STR Rating +100gp per point.

Sereen Bow (special wood material from Exalted Deeds) +4,000 GP, gives a non-magical ghost touch ability. Obviously, this could not be combined with the Dragon Band (Bone ?) Bow due to differing materials.

QUESTION: Are there any other special materials from which a bow might be made?

Elvencraft Mod. +300gp (from Races of the Wild) QUESTION: The description says that Elvencraft longbows (and composite versions thereof) are treated as quarterstaffs and quarterstaffs are both two-handed and double weapons, could I put a special material end cap on the striking ends, say silver on one end and cold iron on the other?

QUESTION: Are there any special materials for bow STRINGS?

Thanks for all the help.

Tsh77769
ronyon
11-20-05, 12:03 PM What about the Close Fighting Blades(RotW)?
Tsh77769
11-20-05, 06:14 PM Good idea. Unfortunately, if you have an Elvencraft bow, which counts as a quarterstaff already, it makes the close fighting blades with their penalties look less appealing.

TED
Cadfan
11-20-05, 07:03 PM There's the basics.

You could make a darkwood bow. It would not have any more abilities, but it would have more hit points, making it less likely to break.

You could also create abilities for it besides the ones available in official books. In my campaign, foldable bows are available. It grants no special ability except that it is more easily carried.

Just bear in mind, if you get too creative, you'll regret it when the players realize that all nonmagical benefits stack with magical enchantments.
Dire Celestial Bonobo
11-20-05, 09:50 PM In my campaign, foldable bows are available.

Keep in mind that bows undergo immense stresses, and any break in the bow---such as where it comes apart to fold---is very likely to weaken it to the point of being a seriously sub-par weapon - see http://www.student.utwente.nl/~sagi/artikel/hinge/hinge.html for a discussion of some real-life hinged bows.

That being said, there are plenty of ways to allow full-powered bows like this, from minor magic to better-than-realistic Gnomish engineering.

I can't think of any other core bow enhancements; however, if you're willing to make up rules yourself, it's worth noting that there were some Indian bows made of steel---http://www.student.utwente.nl/~sagi/artikel/steelbow/steelbow.html---so anything from adamantine (for giant-class strength?) to mithril (?) to the Pandemonium Steel from CW or wherever (whose screaming-in-the-wind special ability would fit will with a bow IMHO) is possible.

Or, failing that, just make up some Unobtanium and place a bow made out of it with the properties you're looking for. Crafted from the World Tree, one of 10 made from the body of the First Treant, Elysium Wood, ...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tsh77769 11-19-05, 04:55 AM	I'm trying to see what I can come up with in terms of options. I am the GM in this game and I want to develop a cool bow for the Archery based Ranger in the group and allow him the option of purchasing or trading for it. I would also like to know for own future use as a player what can be done. Best Effort NON-Magic Bow. Base Weapon: Composite Long Bow if you are not willing to spend an Exotic WP feat, or Composite Great Bow if you are. Dragon Bane (Bone?) Bow (from Dragonomicon) QUESTION: Is there any reason why you could not have a Greatbow version of this thing? What about an Elvencraft version (to be able to use it as a blunt melee weapon)? I forget the cost, but it improved the range increment by 20' and was considred a composite bow. Masterwork +300gp Mighty Bow STR Rating +100gp per point. Sereen Bow (special wood material from Exalted Deeds) +4,000 GP, gives a non-magical ghost touch ability. Obviously, this could not be combined with the Dragon Band (Bone ?) Bow due to differing materials. QUESTION: Are there any other special materials from which a bow might be made? Elvencraft Mod. +300gp (from Races of the Wild) QUESTION: The description says that Elvencraft longbows (and composite versions thereof) are treated as quarterstaffs and quarterstaffs are both two-handed and double weapons, could I put a special material end cap on the striking ends, say silver on one end and cold iron on the other? QUESTION: Are there any special materials for bow STRINGS? Thanks for all the help. Tsh77769
ronyon 11-20-05, 12:03 PM	What about the Close Fighting Blades(RotW)?
Tsh77769 11-20-05, 06:14 PM	Good idea. Unfortunately, if you have an Elvencraft bow, which counts as a quarterstaff already, it makes the close fighting blades with their penalties look less appealing. TED
Cadfan 11-20-05, 07:03 PM	There's the basics. You could make a darkwood bow. It would not have any more abilities, but it would have more hit points, making it less likely to break. You could also create abilities for it besides the ones available in official books. In my campaign, foldable bows are available. It grants no special ability except that it is more easily carried. Just bear in mind, if you get too creative, you'll regret it when the players realize that all nonmagical benefits stack with magical enchantments.
Dire Celestial Bonobo 11-20-05, 09:50 PM	In my campaign, foldable bows are available. Keep in mind that bows undergo immense stresses, and any break in the bow---such as where it comes apart to fold---is very likely to weaken it to the point of being a seriously sub-par weapon - see http://www.student.utwente.nl/~sagi/artikel/hinge/hinge.html for a discussion of some real-life hinged bows. That being said, there are plenty of ways to allow full-powered bows like this, from minor magic to better-than-realistic Gnomish engineering. I can't think of any other core bow enhancements; however, if you're willing to make up rules yourself, it's worth noting that there were some Indian bows made of steel---http://www.student.utwente.nl/~sagi/artikel/steelbow/steelbow.html---so anything from adamantine (for giant-class strength?) to mithril (?) to the Pandemonium Steel from CW or wherever (whose screaming-in-the-wind special ability would fit will with a bow IMHO) is possible. Or, failing that, just make up some Unobtanium and place a bow made out of it with the properties you're looking for. Crafted from the World Tree, one of 10 made from the body of the First Treant, Elysium Wood, ...