Cutlass [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Cutlass [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DarkSorcerer
08-23-05, 11:20 AM The cutlass listed in Stormwrack is listed as 1d6 with a critical range of 19-20, x2. It is listed as a light weapon (3 lbs). Since every source lists the cutlass as a scimitar, shouldn't the crit range be 18-20, x2.

Even the flavor text (I know tables over flavor text but) states the cutlass often delivers deep gashes (sounds like criticals to me) and it has a curved blade. The curved blade is listed as the reason the scimitar has its listed crit range.

Furthermore, in the adventures in the back, the cutlass is listed as having a threat range of 18-20. (see the crew of the Sable Drake).

It seems to me this is a case where the table is incorrect.

And please don't tell me it was a balance tradeoff to make it a light weapon. I hate Balance tradeoffs.
WombleHunter
08-23-05, 12:07 PM The way it's listed in the main text, it's essentially a slashing shortsword and makes perfect sense. If it has the same stats as a scimitar but is a light weapon, why would anyone want to use a scimitar (Power Attack aside - if you're going to PA, chances are you want to use a weapon other than the scimitar)?
Callahan
08-23-05, 12:21 PM When in doubt, use your best judgement or the errata; whichever is available at the time.

It’s probably a mistake.
Lord Schpungus
08-23-05, 12:47 PM Since every source lists the cutlass as a scimitar

First: What GAME sources list the cutlass as a scimitar? I'm thinking none.

Second: There already exists a weapon called the scimitar. It has its own stats. Add light to those stats, and it makes it exotic.

Third: the listing of the cutlass in the adventure as 18-20 is a mistake. pure and simple.

Fourth: it already has an improved critical range, 19-20. Its blade is curved just enough so it has a 19-20 crit.

Fifth: Balance reasons. You can't wield a scimitar as a light weapon (barring the dervish PrC). Sorry that you hate it, but balance has an integral place in the game.
DarkSorcerer
08-23-05, 01:25 PM First: What GAME sources list the cutlass as a scimitar? I'm thinking none.

Arms and Equipment Guide
peanut35
08-23-05, 01:30 PM isn't A&EG 3.0?
Vahenir
08-23-05, 04:05 PM isn't A&EG 3.0?

Yes, but it's still viable in 3.5. AND the weapon equivalency chart is just a chart of weapons and what other weapons could use their stats. Whether you're talking 3.0 or 3.5 has absolutely no effect on the 'correctness' of that chart.

Fourth: it already has an improved critical range, 19-20. Its blade is curved just enough so it has a 19-20 crit.

19-20 is the same as a shortsword. So how does it have "just enough curve" to increase its threat range if it has the same threat range as a straight blade?

In any event, the Cutlass should just be a slashing shortsword. There's really no logical reason to make it "Light" in the first place. And it's not curved enough, or light-bladed enough, to warrant considering it similar to a scimitar. But again, WotC doesn't really know what they're doing with weapons.

My advice is to use whatever stats you like. It's your game. I'm inclined to think the table is correct, though, if you're fishing to use 'official stats only.'
Lord Schpungus
08-23-05, 04:07 PM Where he's referring to in the A&EG is actually a 'different names for the same weapon' chart. Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting had a Cutlass that was a Slashing Shortsword far before the Arms and Equipment Guide (June 2001 vs. March 2003). As Stormwrack has actual stats for a cutlass, not just "I'm calling my scimitar a cutlass", and they are using the stats from a book published before Arms and Equipment Guide, I'd say they're different. Sure, go ahead and call your scimitar a "cutlass, arrr!", but you can't get it sized Light for free.
Lord Schpungus
08-23-05, 04:09 PM In any event, the Cutlass should just be a slashing shortsword.
It is. The short sword deals 1d6 piercing damage, 19-20x2 crit, and it's Light sized.

how is it super-curved when it's the same as a short sword?
Because the short sword is super pointy.
Tony Vargas
08-23-05, 04:16 PM The cutlass listed in Stormwrack is listed as 1d6 with a critical range of 19-20, x2. It is listed as a light weapon (3 lbs). Since every source lists the cutlass as a scimitar, shouldn't the crit range be 18-20, x2. 18-20 would be consistent with the curved blade, yes - but if you increased the threat range, you'd want to decrease the damage, too. Such a weapon already exists, the kukri, at d4 18-20/x2. Depending on how big you visualize a cutlass being, you could use the kukri or scimitar as weapon equivalencies. Or, you could use the one in Stormwrack.

I guess the answer is that the cutlass has stats slightly different than you might expect, simply to give it a mechanical existance distinct from the scimitar or kukri.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DarkSorcerer 08-23-05, 11:20 AM	The cutlass listed in Stormwrack is listed as 1d6 with a critical range of 19-20, x2. It is listed as a light weapon (3 lbs). Since every source lists the cutlass as a scimitar, shouldn't the crit range be 18-20, x2. Even the flavor text (I know tables over flavor text but) states the cutlass often delivers deep gashes (sounds like criticals to me) and it has a curved blade. The curved blade is listed as the reason the scimitar has its listed crit range. Furthermore, in the adventures in the back, the cutlass is listed as having a threat range of 18-20. (see the crew of the Sable Drake). It seems to me this is a case where the table is incorrect. And please don't tell me it was a balance tradeoff to make it a light weapon. I hate Balance tradeoffs.
WombleHunter 08-23-05, 12:07 PM	The way it's listed in the main text, it's essentially a slashing shortsword and makes perfect sense. If it has the same stats as a scimitar but is a light weapon, why would anyone want to use a scimitar (Power Attack aside - if you're going to PA, chances are you want to use a weapon other than the scimitar)?
Callahan 08-23-05, 12:21 PM	When in doubt, use your best judgement or the errata; whichever is available at the time. It’s probably a mistake.
Lord Schpungus 08-23-05, 12:47 PM	Since every source lists the cutlass as a scimitar First: What GAME sources list the cutlass as a scimitar? I'm thinking none. Second: There already exists a weapon called the scimitar. It has its own stats. Add light to those stats, and it makes it exotic. Third: the listing of the cutlass in the adventure as 18-20 is a mistake. pure and simple. Fourth: it already has an improved critical range, 19-20. Its blade is curved just enough so it has a 19-20 crit. Fifth: Balance reasons. You can't wield a scimitar as a light weapon (barring the dervish PrC). Sorry that you hate it, but balance has an integral place in the game.
DarkSorcerer 08-23-05, 01:25 PM	First: What GAME sources list the cutlass as a scimitar? I'm thinking none. Arms and Equipment Guide
peanut35 08-23-05, 01:30 PM	isn't A&EG 3.0?
Vahenir 08-23-05, 04:05 PM	isn't A&EG 3.0? Yes, but it's still viable in 3.5. AND the weapon equivalency chart is just a chart of weapons and what other weapons could use their stats. Whether you're talking 3.0 or 3.5 has absolutely no effect on the 'correctness' of that chart. Fourth: it already has an improved critical range, 19-20. Its blade is curved just enough so it has a 19-20 crit. 19-20 is the same as a shortsword. So how does it have "just enough curve" to increase its threat range if it has the same threat range as a straight blade? In any event, the Cutlass should just be a slashing shortsword. There's really no logical reason to make it "Light" in the first place. And it's not curved enough, or light-bladed enough, to warrant considering it similar to a scimitar. But again, WotC doesn't really know what they're doing with weapons. My advice is to use whatever stats you like. It's your game. I'm inclined to think the table is correct, though, if you're fishing to use 'official stats only.'
Lord Schpungus 08-23-05, 04:07 PM	Where he's referring to in the A&EG is actually a 'different names for the same weapon' chart. Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting had a Cutlass that was a Slashing Shortsword far before the Arms and Equipment Guide (June 2001 vs. March 2003). As Stormwrack has actual stats for a cutlass, not just "I'm calling my scimitar a cutlass", and they are using the stats from a book published before Arms and Equipment Guide, I'd say they're different. Sure, go ahead and call your scimitar a "cutlass, arrr!", but you can't get it sized Light for free.
Lord Schpungus 08-23-05, 04:09 PM	In any event, the Cutlass should just be a slashing shortsword. It is. The short sword deals 1d6 piercing damage, 19-20x2 crit, and it's Light sized. how is it super-curved when it's the same as a short sword? Because the short sword is super pointy.
Tony Vargas 08-23-05, 04:16 PM	The cutlass listed in Stormwrack is listed as 1d6 with a critical range of 19-20, x2. It is listed as a light weapon (3 lbs). Since every source lists the cutlass as a scimitar, shouldn't the crit range be 18-20, x2. 18-20 would be consistent with the curved blade, yes - but if you increased the threat range, you'd want to decrease the damage, too. Such a weapon already exists, the kukri, at d4 18-20/x2. Depending on how big you visualize a cutlass being, you could use the kukri or scimitar as weapon equivalencies. Or, you could use the one in Stormwrack. I guess the answer is that the cutlass has stats slightly different than you might expect, simply to give it a mechanical existance distinct from the scimitar or kukri.