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| #1moonbeastMar 07, 2015 17:29:01 | Well, I looked and looked in 5e PHB and DMG. The DMG covers the use of siege weapons (trebuchet, ballista), like how many rounds it takes to load/fire it. And how much damage they do.
But I don't see rules where Characters can acquire/gain/train to become proficient with the use of Siege Weapons. So if a character with a warrior/soldier background wanted to have some kind of proficiency with a trebuchet.... how would you guys handle it? Make it a new Feat?
How did 4th Edition handle it? (sorry, I never played 4th or 3.5th, my last version of D&D was when TSR still existed haha) |
| #2rmn498Mar 07, 2015 19:12:11 | Based on the Siege Weapons section of the DMG, it looks like siege weapons have a flat bonus to hit based on the type of weapon regardless of the proficieny and/or attribute mods of the firer. That is, +6 for Ballista and Cannon, +5 for Mangonel, and +8 for Ram.
If I were to change the way this worked for my game, I would probably subtract 2 from the flat bonuses given for the weapons and then allow any character with proficiency Vehicles (Land) to add their proficiency bonus when using a relevant siege weapon. For example, a character that had proficiency with Vehicles (Land) from the solider background could fire a ballista with a bonus of 3 + proficiency bonus instead of the flat +5. I would also use the Sailor's proficiency Vehicles (Water) when firing waterborne weapons (ie ship-mounted cannons).
Of course it's simpler to use the flat bonuses, but this is an interesting option for giving Vehicle proficiency some extra oomph in the right campaigns. |
| (Reply to #2)moonbeast |
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| #4Greenstone.WalkerMar 08, 2015 18:58:44 | I saw a post somewhere (can't find it right now) that suggested that siege weapon use the INT modifier. The reasoning is that aiminbg one is a matter of angles and wind and trajectory, not of reflexes or strength.
Personally, I'd make "Siege Engine" a tool proficiency. No characters pick it up at creation (except as an option for soldier background) but they can learn it using downtime. |
| #5moonbeastMar 08, 2015 19:54:37 |
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| #6lawrencehoyMar 09, 2015 1:29:17 | I like the idea of a Tool Proficiency; although, I would not lump them all together.
Ballistae and Cannons are similar enough to be one Proficiency, as well as Catapults/Mangonels/Trebuchets. The Ram would seem to be a siege weapon that might not require a specific Proficiency to use, its a pretty simple application; although, you could explain a Proficiency Bonus as knowing where to apply the Ram to the structure's weakest points.
I suppose it would depend on whether a Tool Proficiency is required to use the Tools covered by that Proficiency. I forget where the official ruling on that topic landed; if it was a requirement, then I would rather see siege weapons as Skills: such as Vehicle (Ballista/Cannon), Vehicle (Catapult/Mangonel/Trebuchet), & Vehicle (Ram). The Vehicle type could be replaced with Siege Weapon, to further distinguish them.
EDIT: I was also disappointed in the lack of pricing for siege weapons. |
| #7Greenstone.WalkerMar 09, 2015 15:46:42 |
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| #8lawrencehoyMar 09, 2015 21:48:18 |
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| #9Greenstone.WalkerMar 10, 2015 14:11:48 |
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| #10Byakugan01Mar 12, 2015 0:48:12 | Downtime doesn't grant Skill proficiencies.
Only Languages and Tools. |
| #11JamwesMar 12, 2015 9:56:27 |
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| #12KalaniMar 12, 2015 10:07:34 | The fabricate spell also requires tool proficiency. I am sure there are other corner cases, but thieve's tools is the main one. Then again, I allow tool proficiencies to matter in those rare situations when it is applicable.
And other corner cases. |
| #13lawrencehoyMar 13, 2015 4:14:49 |
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| #14lawrencehoyMar 13, 2015 4:16:37 |
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