Post/Author/DateTime	Post
KShaver 06-29-07, 09:41 PM	Looking over the Atlatl from Sandstorm I was tempted to actually use one. At first glance it looked like a javelin with lower damage, but greater range. Then I realized its brief section of fluff text didn't even remotely describe how it actually functions within the rules. Just to name a few questions I had: 1. Does one add thier strength bonus to the damage? 2. How many hands does it take to use? 3a. Does it require an action to reload? 3b. If yes, what kind of action? 4. Is the Atlatl Spear ammunition or a recoverable thrown weapon? 5. Does the Atlatl add its enhancement bonus to the ammunition/thrown spear? 6a. What kind of max range does it have (thrown vs projectile)? 6b. What kind of range boost does it receive from far shot? Tha majority of these questions stem from the fact that it is described as a cross between a projectile and a thrown weapon (thats actually the entirety of the rules for it, the rest is fluff). If it had been described as one or the other with special modifiers to make it somewhat like the other then most of these questions would be moot.
Jay_Ibero_911 06-29-07, 10:02 PM	Well, there isn't much RAW to go by for this weapon, but I can give you my opinions on the matter: 1. Does one add thier strength bonus to the damage? My gut says yes. Just the way it's used makes me feel like your strength should allow you to hit harder. 2. How many hands does it take to use? 1 hand to "fire", but 2 to load. One to hold the atlatl, one to load the spear. 3a. Does it require an action to reload? The size and weight of the ammunition makes me think it should require SOME kind of action. 3b. If yes, what kind of action? I'm inclined to say move action 4. Is the Atlatl Spear ammunition or a recoverable thrown weapon? This is where things get fuzzy. I'm leaning more towards ammo...but this would really need clarification. 5. Does the Atlatl add its enhancement bonus to the ammunition/thrown spear? This I say yes to, just like with any other projectile weapon. The spear is being flung by the atlatl, so it should work just like with bows and arrows. 6a. What kind of max range does it have (thrown vs projectile)? Again, would require just a specific ruling from WotC 6b. What kind of range boost does it receive from far shot? See 6a.
ToddMorgan 06-29-07, 11:45 PM	You know, I am the captain of the university atlatl team and it's way easy to recover the spears, so i think it might have recoverable ammo...but that's what happens irl, not necessarily the game.
LGMoses 06-29-07, 11:49 PM	You know, I am the captain of the university atlatl team and it's way easy to recover the spears, so i think it might have recoverable ammo...but that's what happens irl, not necessarily the game. yeah, but what do you fire those things into? I'm guessing you haven't hit any man-sized targets made of flesh charging full speed at you lately?
KShaver 06-30-07, 07:37 AM	3a. Does it require an action to reload? The size and weight of the ammunition makes me think it should require SOME kind of action. 3b. If yes, what kind of action? I'm inclined to say move action 4. Is the Atlatl Spear ammunition or a recoverable thrown weapon? This is where things get fuzzy. I'm leaning more towards ammo...but this would really need clarification. If it does use ammo then it might require an action to load. If it does require an action to load then it is a worse weapon than a sling (more difficult to use-martial, and more expensive ammo). If it doesn't require an action to load it would be more comparable to an underpowered bow that you might not have to buy the strength rating for. If it doesn't use ammo, then the spears are throwing weapons and already require an action to draw, making it not need an additional action to load it. Personally I vote: 1. Yes, you get your strength. 2-4. The spears are thrown weapons, they have to be drawn as a weapon. Loading is a free action that takes two hands, but it can be fired with one. 5. While I would like to say yes, it conveys its bonuses to its ammunition, I just suggested that it doesn't use ammunition and that would make it a unique ruling. A very favorable unique ruling, and thus I hesitate to answer it...though the ice chucker can fire regular reusable javelins, can it convey its magic bonuses to a non ammo projectile? 6ab. I'd go with treating it as a thrown weapon for ranges, though that is again the more favorable ruling. The benefit from a better far shot range boost will generally be more usefull than being able to make those crazy x10 range not gonna hit shots a projectile weapon can do. Even with poor rules I might still use one, it fits the character well. I just need to come up with a fair set of rules for it to suggest to the GM.
KShaver 06-30-07, 07:39 AM	You know, I am the captain of the university atlatl team and it's way easy to recover the spears, so i think it might have recoverable ammo...but that's what happens irl, not necessarily the game. Same with arrows, but not so much in D&D.
Rawveggie 07-02-07, 06:22 PM	I think the ammo should be recoverable, then it's just an extreme-range dagger, really. Each spear is 1 gold and weighs 2 pounds which is ridiculous for something you can't recover. Also, I've only used an atlatl once during a fair but I definitely think you should be able to apply your strength to it. It may be worth it to carry one around for the times the DM allows it to function with a free action load. Even in the worst case scenario it's a sling that does piercing damage and may get twice the range. -Raw
Timlagor 07-04-07, 07:19 AM	Here's how I'd rule it: a) free reload ( no action specified) b) recoverable spears c) no transmission of magic d) projectile range e) Yes to strength bonus. f) 1 hand to 'throw' but two to reload.