Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rahl the Foolhardy 12-16-05, 07:11 PM	I've never really cared for the gauntlet. Sure, I'd usually have my character equipped with a set "just in case", but I always felt the gauntlet could use a bit more "oomph". So, without further ado, my Battle Gauntlet! (I basically threw in the penalties because they made sense) Battle Gauntlet [Martial weapon, light melee] Cost: 10 gp Damage: 1d4 (small); 1d6 (medium) Damage Type: Bludgeoning Critical: x2 Weight: 5 lb. Created as a back-up weapon for the warrior who has run out of options, the battle gauntlet is essentially a large gauntlet that encases the wearer’s hand within thick layers of steel. With far better stopping power than a regular gauntlet, it is an oft-used standby of adventurers, mercenaries, and soldiers, despite its drawbacks. The battle gauntlet’s bulkiness has a negative impact on the wearer’s manual dexterity, imparting a –1 penalty to Disable Device, Open Lock, and Use Rope checks, a 5% arcane spell failure chance, as well as a –1 penalty on attack rolls made with light melee weapons (excluding the battle gauntlet) and all ranged weapons.
Waterhammer 12-16-05, 09:28 PM	This might be better accomplished with a feat chain. Something that allows characters to buy martial arts similar to a monks unarmed attack.
Dev Vim 12-16-05, 10:59 PM	the gauntlet isnt supposed to be a "just in case" weapon though. they are supposed to be an "oh son of a freaking monkey, my back is against the wall and i have to fist fight my way out" weapon. gauntlets are intended to protect the hands and are only listed as a weapon because it hurts more to punch somone when your fist is covered in metal. now IF you want to make a battle gauntlet, at the very least I would say you need to make it an exotic weapon as it would probalby be shaped quite diffrently than normal. you dont buy gauntlets as weapons, you buy them as armor, and they would probably be improvised weapons if it werent for the fact that humans instinctually know how to punch, at least to some degree.
Rahl the Foolhardy 12-17-05, 12:03 PM	Firstly, I'd like to note that the gauntlet (or better yet, the spiked gauntlet) is useful as a back-up weapon. They can't be disarmed, you can always use them while grappled, and chances are that you've always got them on, and therefore are always armed. This might be better accomplished with a feat chain. Would you really want to waste a bunch of feats on a secondary weapon that you may or may not ever use? Spending feats so that you can do more damage with a gauntlet (or spiked gauntlet) is like spending feats on a dagger. If you want to do more damage, get a bigger weapon.
Gilfalas_Elaandrin 12-17-05, 07:19 PM	Absolutely nothing wrong with a gauntlet being reinforced or even spiked to make it a nice backup weapon. The only real bonus this gives over a dagger or shortsword is that you cannot be disarmed and there are already other mundane weapons that allow that (Claw Bracer), as does a locked gauntlet. As for negatives, don't bother. If your player has the actual time to do those finess skills he also has time to simply remove his gauntlets to do them. And punching someone is the most natural attack form in existance. I cannot see the battle gauntlet being exotic. Why do that when the game effect is basicly the same as a dagger or short sword? They will still need two weapon combat to us it in addition to another weapon. Just say it is master crafted, charge the player extra cash for it and let them have it. Maybe not allow that gauntlet hand to hold or use other weapons but it could still lash on a shield if you REALLY want a minus.
wonlee76 12-17-05, 10:49 PM	Just curious but why -1 to hit with only light weapons. Wouldn't it make more sense to just put a -1 penalty to hit with any weapon that might be wielded in the hand that the battle gauntlet is on? Kind of like the penalty to hit from a buckler?