tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283938885302784821.post8407760795087328076..comments2024-03-28T00:42:25.420-07:00Comments on Grognardling: "Can't" vs. "Typically Won't": A Minor Semantic QuibbleChristopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16988517412357391012noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283938885302784821.post-75553511190857915122011-09-12T12:28:17.441-07:002011-09-12T12:28:17.441-07:00I like to think of, in a movie, when the non-comba...I like to think of, in a movie, when the non-combatant tries to pick up the big heavy axe and the monster just knocks it out of his hand. It's not just that anyone should be able to swing an axe, it's that the axe is being swung at a monster who knows how to use its weapons. <br /><br />You could go the "nonproficiency" route and levy a penalty to hit for non-class weapons. If an M-U has a choice between -6 to hit with a sword (1d8 damage) or a normal attack with a fist (1d2?) he's far better off with the fist. Assuming he doesn't need a natural 20 to hit with anything anyway. I would actually give everyone the -6 for non-class weapons, not just M-Us. <br /><br />A secondary issue is that weapon and armor choice is a big part of classes. Your class was originally like your unit type. A skirmisher who wore plate and rode a horse, fighting with a lance and sword, suddenly becomes a poorly trained heavy cavalry instead. In some ways, your equipment is your class. <br /><br />25% of magic swords are intelligent, and swords are usable only by Fighters and Thieves, who are non-spellcasting classes. The intelligent sword was intended to give some magical power to non-casters. If you let a Cleric use a sword that can do Fireball once a day, it means a Fighter or Thief in the group doesn't have that sword. <br /><br />Finally, some of the benefit of being a Fighter is that you get a good choice of weapons. If you find a magic weapon you can use it, regardless of type, whle other PCs can't. This was perverted by weapon specialization rules which made it so unless the new weapon were vastly better you'd rather use a nonmagical version of your favored weapon. Which is dumb. How many people can use a magic long bow or two-handed sword? It's sure not the M-U, Cleric, or Thief. The Fighter is in contest with the Cleric for armor and shield, but otherwise not. <br /><br />This makes certain weapons, like a magic dagger, really cool because anyone can use them. <br /><br />Other magic item combinations, such as class-restricted magic items, Rings and Cloaks of Protection not working with magic armor, etc. all help decide who gets what treasure. If only one person can use it, it's easier to decide which item you want for your share. It's like the difference between three kids in a family all born a year apart and three kids born eight years apart. There's a lot less fighting over goodies because they all want different goodies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283938885302784821.post-14034399009959376422011-09-11T21:42:33.106-07:002011-09-11T21:42:33.106-07:00I do something similar with restricted weapons. I ...I do something similar with restricted weapons. I currently divide weapons into Light, Medium and Heavy. Light weapons do 2d6, take the lowest, Medium weapons do d6 and Heavy weapons do 2d6, take the highest for damage. Magic users are restricted to Light and Scoundrels to Light and Medium weapons, so, if they use a restricted weapon, they can only do as much damage with it as they would if they were using an unrestricted weapon.Christopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988517412357391012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283938885302784821.post-24597475716276183562011-09-11T20:07:04.984-07:002011-09-11T20:07:04.984-07:00Haha, yeah, when a player announces to the party t...Haha, yeah, when a player announces to the party that "the dragon can't use his breath weapon again for X turns", it's totally fair game to rain hellfire and brimstone down on them, just to punish them for metagaming. I would, also, let a wizard or thief try to use that battleaxe, but at least with a -2 to their attack roll on account of having no clue how to properly swing the damn thing in the midst of combat.Sullyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08775443433933924102noreply@blogger.com