Can dragons eat weapons? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can dragons eat weapons? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Gnarl
07-06-06, 03:44 AM Hi

I was wondering if this tactic would be valid for a dragon: stealing weapons using improved disarm then eating them to free the hand? What kind of action would it take? A move action?
Morphius
07-06-06, 05:47 AM Sure. It depends on the weapon and the size of the dragon. Remember, though, most weapons are sharp and/or crunchy, so the dragon needs to be careful eating them. Swallowing a holy avenger whole is probably not a good idea. I'd say eating a weapon would be a standard action for a weapon three or more categories smaller than the dragon, a full-round action for a weapon one or two size categories smaller than the dragon, and impossible in combat for a weapon the same size category as the dragon or higher. Thus, a medium-sized dragon could not eat a longsword in combat. That's a meal, not a snack.

And yes, each instance would provoke an attack of opportunity.
Verelor
07-06-06, 11:03 AM What is it with D&D and all it's dragons eating the most entirely inedible objects for nourishment and preference?
Millennium
07-06-06, 12:32 PM A dragon could probably eat a weapon, but it would take some time to chew up all that metal, particularly if it's been magically-hardened. I'd imagine that it would take up 3d4 rounds at the absolute least: not the most feasible of combat tactics.
Rickiel
07-06-06, 12:38 PM Eat a weapon?

Why that's a dragon's way of using Improved Sunder! :)
obrysii
07-06-06, 12:44 PM What is it with D&D and all it's dragons eating the most entirely inedible objects for nourishment and preference?

Because the dragon's draconis fundementum organ can derive nourishment from any material, organic or inorganic.
Derren S.
07-06-06, 12:49 PM Eat a weapon?

Why that's a dragon's way of using Improved Sunder! :)

Exactly. Thats how eating a weapon should be handeled rules wise (imo of course)
Gnarl
07-06-06, 04:48 PM Exactly. Thats how eating a weapon should be handeled rules wise (imo of course)

I don't totally agree with this statement. The dragon is trying to eat a weapon he’s carrying, not breaking one his foe is wielding. Furthermore, we’re probably talking about hours-long digestions, not instant weapon destruction. The players are going to get their weapons back at the end of the fight.

I was looking for something in between dropping the weapon at the dragon’s feet and tossing the weapons in a river of lava (in the red dragon’s den).
Derren S.
07-06-06, 05:02 PM A dragon wouldn't eat a weapon in one piece. It would at least bite it in half and/or chew it first.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gnarl 07-06-06, 03:44 AM	Hi I was wondering if this tactic would be valid for a dragon: stealing weapons using improved disarm then eating them to free the hand? What kind of action would it take? A move action?
Morphius 07-06-06, 05:47 AM	Sure. It depends on the weapon and the size of the dragon. Remember, though, most weapons are sharp and/or crunchy, so the dragon needs to be careful eating them. Swallowing a holy avenger whole is probably not a good idea. I'd say eating a weapon would be a standard action for a weapon three or more categories smaller than the dragon, a full-round action for a weapon one or two size categories smaller than the dragon, and impossible in combat for a weapon the same size category as the dragon or higher. Thus, a medium-sized dragon could not eat a longsword in combat. That's a meal, not a snack. And yes, each instance would provoke an attack of opportunity.
Verelor 07-06-06, 11:03 AM	What is it with D&D and all it's dragons eating the most entirely inedible objects for nourishment and preference?
Millennium 07-06-06, 12:32 PM	A dragon could probably eat a weapon, but it would take some time to chew up all that metal, particularly if it's been magically-hardened. I'd imagine that it would take up 3d4 rounds at the absolute least: not the most feasible of combat tactics.
Rickiel 07-06-06, 12:38 PM	Eat a weapon? Why that's a dragon's way of using Improved Sunder! :)
obrysii 07-06-06, 12:44 PM	What is it with D&D and all it's dragons eating the most entirely inedible objects for nourishment and preference? Because the dragon's draconis fundementum organ can derive nourishment from any material, organic or inorganic.
Derren S. 07-06-06, 12:49 PM	Eat a weapon? Why that's a dragon's way of using Improved Sunder! :) Exactly. Thats how eating a weapon should be handeled rules wise (imo of course)
Gnarl 07-06-06, 04:48 PM	Exactly. Thats how eating a weapon should be handeled rules wise (imo of course) I don't totally agree with this statement. The dragon is trying to eat a weapon he’s carrying, not breaking one his foe is wielding. Furthermore, we’re probably talking about hours-long digestions, not instant weapon destruction. The players are going to get their weapons back at the end of the fight. I was looking for something in between dropping the weapon at the dragon’s feet and tossing the weapons in a river of lava (in the red dragon’s den).
Derren S. 07-06-06, 05:02 PM	A dragon wouldn't eat a weapon in one piece. It would at least bite it in half and/or chew it first.