Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Elrick 02-04-07, 01:03 AM	If I have a claw bracer on, can I still use my shortbow? The description for claw bracer is as follows: Claw Bracer: Popular with sorcerers and wizards of the Cult of the Dragon, a claw bracer is a metal armband with three steel claws projecting from the top, extending about 4 inches beyond the tips of the wearers extended fingers. The wearer can cast spells normally while wearing the bracer, and cannot be disarmed. Many claw bracers are magic weapons.
crimsonwolf 02-04-07, 01:42 AM	i would ... put a diffcult rating on this... like -2 or -4 .... and if you neg crit with a 1.. instead of damaging yourself .. you cut the string of the bow....
Jaxgaret 02-04-07, 01:59 AM	I'm not sure about the RAW on this, but it seems as if it would not be allowable. Saying that it would work seems like one of those "it doesn't say it doesn't, so it does" arguments, which generally aren't correct. You could create a feat called Improved Claw Use that allows the character to do such a thing with no penalties, similar to Improved Buckler Defense.
Elrick 02-04-07, 02:53 AM	ok, thanks, I was just wondering since it appears as if I'm not using my hand for anything when weilding the weapon.
Patrick Draken-Korin 02-04-07, 08:52 PM	A feat for that? That's a waste. But I agree, either don't allow it or apply a penalty. I've never had to deal with this before, but I'd probably rule for a -2 penalty and if the attacker is proficient with the bow and claw bracer (seeing as arcane spellcasters normally wouldn't be) allow a DC 20 or 25 sleight of hand check to negate this penalty. Most wouldn't have the sleight of hand ranks to pull off the check, and those that would probably wouldn't attempt the check too often without a "take 10" option (which I didn't give) or extremely high ranks (by which time this isn't too great a benefit). No feat is expended (beyond for the bracer, and possibly for a bow. Skill ranks in sleight of hand would be required, but for esoteric, limited-use benefits like this, that's much better than a oh-so-valuable feat. ------- The claw bracer only leaves the hand free for spellcasting and holding objects. Wielding something (weapon/shield, and I'd say most use-activated magical items) should either be prevented or at least penalized. However, I'd probably allow firing a hand crossbow without penalty, as well as throwing anything dagger-sized or smaller (dagger, shuriken, etc). Trying to use a polearm or a similar tool/weapon heavy on wrist action, and I'd increase the penalty to -4. Otherwise the penalty would stick at -2, in general.
Mogarth_Warheart 02-04-07, 09:51 PM	I would allow it if the bow is held in the same hand as the claw but not in the hand that draws the string back
zook1shoe666 02-04-07, 10:20 PM	I would allow it if the bow is held in the same hand as the claw but not in the hand that draws the string back how would you know which was which?
Steevo 02-04-07, 11:35 PM	If I have a claw bracer on, can I still use my shortbow? The description for claw bracer is as follows: Personally I would allow it, although you can't threaten with the claw on the round you use the bow, so if someone provokes an AoO in an adjacent space, you lose out. (aside: This logic makes more sense with a polearm or staff than a bow, but being a two-handed weapon I would apply it to a bow as well.) You also don't count as "weilding" the claw for that round, in case there are any magical properties on the claw that require it be weilded. For the record, "weilding" in my books means having the weapon drawn and ready to use. And since I also like fumbles, there would be the possibility of cutting the bowstring if you fumbled, as someone else said. But considering that snapping the bow string is always a possible fumble result, that's not much of a drawback in my games.
Mogarth_Warheart 02-05-07, 12:10 AM	how would you know which was which? Bows are most often shot with the bow in the left hand and you pull with the right. So the claw would have to be on the left hand.