"Gunblade" - Why not? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

"Gunblade" - Why not?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
greatfrito
Dec 02, 2009 1:13:31 EDIT: I can't seem to change the thread title now, so... new thread! Because this one's topic is not longer accurate for what I want it for.

This thread may die now. I'll allow it.

___________________________________________________

I realize the title might be misleading, so let me preface this with a note that this isn't a question about why we shouldn't have a gunblade - it's a "gunblade" for no reason other than, well, "Why not?"

So, let me start by saying that, for "guns," I'm willing to let players use them if they want them, but they have to accept that we're just going to use crossbow stats, and refluff them. Though I do offer the following feat (which admitedly may need some work - it was just tossed together quickly one afternoon):

Firearm Proficiency
Benefit: You treat all crossbows as high crit weapons.

Anyways, here's my stab at a "gunblade":

Double Weapon
Crossbow Sword          +3     1d10     -----     40 gp     10 lb.     Heavy blade     Stout
     - Secondary End      +2     1d6       10/20    -----       -----      Crossbow         Off-hand, load free

Compared to the Bastard Sword, this trades one-handed and versatile for Stout, and an off-hand hand crossbow (effectively). I'm not sure how much of an appropriate trade that really is. Compared to the Double Axe, you're trading a d10 off-hand melee weapon for a hand crossbow.

It may be a bit much, and it's deffinitely a bit strange. But hey, I thought I'd toss it out there.

The concept might work well for a "bayonet" too. Though in that case I imagine it more like:

Double Weapon
Crossbow           +2    1d10    15/30     40 gp     8 lb.     Crossbow        Load minor
     - Bayonet*      +3     1d6         -----    -----       -----     Heavy blade,   Off-hand
                                                                                                     light blade

*The Bayonet is the Secondary End of this double weapon.

Anyways, just tossing ideas out there.
#2
Qube
Dec 02, 2009 1:39:21
"Gunblade" - Why not?

IMO lack of a class that would actually use them?
The only melee/ranged class I can think of is rogue and ranger, both who can't use it (rogue requires daggers, ranger requires 2 melee weapons)

otherwise, looks fun.
#3
greatfrito
Dec 02, 2009 2:53:58
"Gunblade" - Why not?

IMO lack of a class that would actually use them?

Oh, yeah, not really useful.

I s'pose heavy blade Fighters could, though (and even maintain a decent to-hit with the crossbow component, with Dex secondary) - and hey, that even fits with the characters from FF8 who actually used the silly (and awesome) things. That's... completely intentional then.
#4
greatfrito
Dec 02, 2009 19:36:36 And to expand on the idea a bit, a Weapon Mastery option!

Gunblade Training [Multiclass]
Prerequisites: Dex 13
Benefit: You gain proficiency with the crossbow sword. When you make a ranged attack with the secondary end of the weapon, you do not provoke opportunity attacks. In addition, when you score a critical hit with the heavy blade end of the weapon, you can make a ranged basic attack against the same target with the secondary end of the weapon as a free action.

Gunblade Novice [Multiclass]
Prerequisites: Gunblade Training, 4th level
Benefit: You can swap one 3rd level or higher encounter power you know for the synchronized shot attack power.

    Synchronized Shot    Feat Power
    With expert timing, you fire a bolt into your foe just as your blade bites into him.
    Encounter * Martial, Weapon
    Standard Action    Melee weapon
    Requirement: You must be wielding a crossbow blade.
    Target: One creature.
    Attack: Strength vs. AC or Dexterity vs. AC
    Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage. Make a secondary attack against the same creature, using the secondary end of the weapon.
        At 11th level, 2[W] + Strength modifier damage.
        At 21st level, 3[W] + Strength modifier damage.
        Secondary Attack: Dexterity + 2 vs. AC
        Hit: 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage.
            At 11th level, 2[W] + Dexterity modifier damage.
            At 21st level, 3[W] + Dexterity modifier damage.
    Special: When you choose this power, choose whether you use Strength or Dexterity to make the primary attack.

Gunblade Expert [Multiclass]
Prerequisites: Gunblade Training, 8th level
Benefit: You can swap one 6th level or higher utility power you know for the reflex shot stance utility power.

    Reflex Shot Stance    Feat Power
    As you fight, you use the crossbow in your weapon to extend your battlefield presence.
    Daily * Martial, Weapon, Stance
    Minor Action        Personal
    Requirement: You must be wielding a crossbow blade.
    Effect: Until the stance ends, you threaten all enemies within 2 squares of you with the secondary end of your weapon. If an enemy provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can make a ranged basic attack on the target with the secondary end of your weapon as an opportunity attack.

Gunblade Specialist [Multiclass]
Prerequisites: Gunblade Training, 10th level
Benefit: You can swap one 9th level or higher daily power you know for the blowback combo attack power.

    Blowback Combo        Feat Power
    You stab your foe viciously, blast him back and off of your blade with a bolt, then follow up with a final slash.
    Daily * Martial, Reliable, Weapon
    Standard Action    Melee weapon
    Requirement: You must be wielding a crossbow blade.
    Target: One Creature.
    Attack: Strength vs. AC or Dexterity vs. AC
    Hit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage. Make a secondary attack on the same creature, using the secondary end of the weapon.
        At 15th level, 3[W] + Strength modifier damage.
        At 25th level, 4[W] + Strength modifier damage.
        Secondary Attack: Dexterity vs. Fortitude
        Hit: 1[W] damage, and you push the target 1 square, and shift into the space that the target occupied. Make a tertiary attack on the same creature, using the blade end of the weapon.
            At 15th level, 2[W] damage.
            At 25th level, 3[W] damage.
        Miss: You push the target 1 square, but do not shift into the space the target occupied, and do not make a tertiary attack.
            Tertiary Attack: Strength vs. Reflex or Dexterity vs. Reflex
            Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage.
                At 15th level, 2[W] + Strength modifier damage.
                At 25th level, 3[W] + Strength modifier damage.
    Special: When you choose this power, choose whether you use Strength or Dexterity to make the primary and tertiary attacks.

Some Thoughts:
Formating - I'm not sure how to format powers to look good on the new forums still. Sorry.
Training - This one seems pretty tame, and in line with other feats of the same nature.
Novice - This one is about average as well. One attack, with a possible secondary. Seems fair enough.
Expert - A bit strange, but it shouldn't be any more powerful than the Spiked Chain power of the same level.
Specialist - This one may be a bit much. As many as three attacks, for 2[W]+1[w]+1[W] at 9th level, 3[W]+2[w]+2[W] at 15th level, and 4[W]+3[w]+3[W] at 25th level. Then again, it might be in line with powers like Dragon Fangs, or the Ranger's "Blade Cascade."

EDIT: As for use of the weapon itself, I really can't see anyone other than a Fighter (or maybe a Beastmaster Ranger - I think they have single-weapon attack powers, plus they could mix in the ranged attacks) using it. The above Weapon Mastery gives one option that the Fighter might find useful, but when I was going over it I realized that a Fighter/Rogue or Fighter/Ranger might be able to get some effective use from it, if he focused his swaped powers on ranged combat. This way he could have a two-handed weapon in hand, and a ranged weapon. With the Fighter/Rogue, it gives an easy way to trigger that 1/round Sneak Attack damage, while keeping a nice Fighter-sized weapon at hand.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 greatfrito Dec 02, 2009 1:13:31	EDIT: I can't seem to change the thread title now, so... new thread! Because this one's topic is not longer accurate for what I want it for. This thread may die now. I'll allow it. ___________________________________________________ I realize the title might be misleading, so let me preface this with a note that this isn't a question about why we shouldn't have a gunblade - it's a "gunblade" for no reason other than, well, "Why not?" So, let me start by saying that, for "guns," I'm willing to let players use them if they want them, but they have to accept that we're just going to use crossbow stats, and refluff them. Though I do offer the following feat (which admitedly may need some work - it was just tossed together quickly one afternoon): Firearm Proficiency Benefit: You treat all crossbows as high crit weapons. Anyways, here's my stab at a "gunblade": Double Weapon Crossbow Sword +3 1d10 ----- 40 gp 10 lb. Heavy blade Stout - Secondary End +2 1d6 10/20 ----- ----- Crossbow Off-hand, load free Compared to the Bastard Sword, this trades one-handed and versatile for Stout, and an off-hand hand crossbow (effectively). I'm not sure how much of an appropriate trade that really is. Compared to the Double Axe, you're trading a d10 off-hand melee weapon for a hand crossbow. It may be a bit much, and it's deffinitely a bit strange. But hey, I thought I'd toss it out there. The concept might work well for a "bayonet" too. Though in that case I imagine it more like: Double Weapon Crossbow +2 1d10 15/30 40 gp 8 lb. Crossbow Load minor - Bayonet* +3 1d6 ----- ----- ----- Heavy blade, Off-hand light blade *The Bayonet is the Secondary End of this double weapon. Anyways, just tossing ideas out there.
#2 Qube Dec 02, 2009 1:39:21	"Gunblade" - Why not? IMO lack of a class that would actually use them? The only melee/ranged class I can think of is rogue and ranger, both who can't use it (rogue requires daggers, ranger requires 2 melee weapons) otherwise, looks fun.
#3 greatfrito Dec 02, 2009 2:53:58	"Gunblade" - Why not? IMO lack of a class that would actually use them? Oh, yeah, not really useful. I s'pose heavy blade Fighters could, though (and even maintain a decent to-hit with the crossbow component, with Dex secondary) - and hey, that even fits with the characters from FF8 who actually used the silly (and awesome) things. That's... completely intentional then.
#4 greatfrito Dec 02, 2009 19:36:36	And to expand on the idea a bit, a Weapon Mastery option! Gunblade Training [Multiclass] Prerequisites: Dex 13 Benefit: You gain proficiency with the crossbow sword. When you make a ranged attack with the secondary end of the weapon, you do not provoke opportunity attacks. In addition, when you score a critical hit with the heavy blade end of the weapon, you can make a ranged basic attack against the same target with the secondary end of the weapon as a free action. Gunblade Novice [Multiclass] Prerequisites: Gunblade Training, 4th level Benefit: You can swap one 3rd level or higher encounter power you know for the synchronized shot attack power. Synchronized Shot Feat Power With expert timing, you fire a bolt into your foe just as your blade bites into him. Encounter * Martial, Weapon Standard Action Melee weapon Requirement: You must be wielding a crossbow blade. Target: One creature. Attack: Strength vs. AC or Dexterity vs. AC Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage. Make a secondary attack against the same creature, using the secondary end of the weapon. At 11th level, 2[W] + Strength modifier damage. At 21st level, 3[W] + Strength modifier damage. Secondary Attack: Dexterity + 2 vs. AC Hit: 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage. At 11th level, 2[W] + Dexterity modifier damage. At 21st level, 3[W] + Dexterity modifier damage. Special: When you choose this power, choose whether you use Strength or Dexterity to make the primary attack. Gunblade Expert [Multiclass] Prerequisites: Gunblade Training, 8th level Benefit: You can swap one 6th level or higher utility power you know for the reflex shot stance utility power. Reflex Shot Stance Feat Power As you fight, you use the crossbow in your weapon to extend your battlefield presence. Daily * Martial, Weapon, Stance Minor Action Personal Requirement: You must be wielding a crossbow blade. Effect: Until the stance ends, you threaten all enemies within 2 squares of you with the secondary end of your weapon. If an enemy provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can make a ranged basic attack on the target with the secondary end of your weapon as an opportunity attack. Gunblade Specialist [Multiclass] Prerequisites: Gunblade Training, 10th level Benefit: You can swap one 9th level or higher daily power you know for the blowback combo attack power. Blowback Combo Feat Power You stab your foe viciously, blast him back and off of your blade with a bolt, then follow up with a final slash. Daily * Martial, Reliable, Weapon Standard Action Melee weapon Requirement: You must be wielding a crossbow blade. Target: One Creature. Attack: Strength vs. AC or Dexterity vs. AC Hit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage. Make a secondary attack on the same creature, using the secondary end of the weapon. At 15th level, 3[W] + Strength modifier damage. At 25th level, 4[W] + Strength modifier damage. Secondary Attack: Dexterity vs. Fortitude Hit: 1[W] damage, and you push the target 1 square, and shift into the space that the target occupied. Make a tertiary attack on the same creature, using the blade end of the weapon. At 15th level, 2[W] damage. At 25th level, 3[W] damage. Miss: You push the target 1 square, but do not shift into the space the target occupied, and do not make a tertiary attack. Tertiary Attack: Strength vs. Reflex or Dexterity vs. Reflex Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage. At 15th level, 2[W] + Strength modifier damage. At 25th level, 3[W] + Strength modifier damage. Special: When you choose this power, choose whether you use Strength or Dexterity to make the primary and tertiary attacks. Some Thoughts: Formating - I'm not sure how to format powers to look good on the new forums still. Sorry. Training - This one seems pretty tame, and in line with other feats of the same nature. Novice - This one is about average as well. One attack, with a possible secondary. Seems fair enough. Expert - A bit strange, but it shouldn't be any more powerful than the Spiked Chain power of the same level. Specialist - This one may be a bit much. As many as three attacks, for 2[W]+1[w]+1[W] at 9th level, 3[W]+2[w]+2[W] at 15th level, and 4[W]+3[w]+3[W] at 25th level. Then again, it might be in line with powers like Dragon Fangs, or the Ranger's "Blade Cascade." EDIT: As for use of the weapon itself, I really can't see anyone other than a Fighter (or maybe a Beastmaster Ranger - I think they have single-weapon attack powers, plus they could mix in the ranged attacks) using it. The above Weapon Mastery gives one option that the Fighter might find useful, but when I was going over it I realized that a Fighter/Rogue or Fighter/Ranger might be able to get some effective use from it, if he focused his swaped powers on ranged combat. This way he could have a two-handed weapon in hand, and a ranged weapon. With the Fighter/Rogue, it gives an easy way to trigger that 1/round Sneak Attack damage, while keeping a nice Fighter-sized weapon at hand.