| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mystery_Man |
Posted - 03 Jan 2006 : 18:10:26
I've neglected my ranger a bit I think. He hasn't been getting very many cool magical arrows from me lately and I think it's high time I changed that. Any ideas for some useful/cool/deadly magical arrow properties? |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Fletcher |
Posted - 24 Jan 2006 : 23:24:38
quote:
Originally posted by Talanfir Swiftfeet
There has been few mentions about teleportation arrows in this thread. I have a different use for the teleportation arrow. It teleports the victim a hundred feet or more up in the air. After that the victim starts to fall unless he can fly. this is more effective in underdark cause the victim will appear inside of a rock (or in another level but still is out of the fight). What are the stats on falling? Is this kind of arrow possible?
Teleport Object would send them to the Ethereal plane...
The easy version of this spell is Dimension Door. Its loads cheaper and really cool to watch.
Modify Memory arrows anyone? Have them forget what has happened in the last minute. "I wasn't shot...so where the heck did this arrow come from? And who are these people and why are they attacking us?"
Or how about this implanted thought. "These people I don't know are my freinds they have warned me about a plot kill me by my traitorous bretheren. They are here to help me get revenge..." |
| Talanfir Swiftfeet |
Posted - 24 Jan 2006 : 18:05:09
There has been few mentions about teleportation arrows in this thread. I have a different use for the teleportation arrow. It teleports the victim a hundred feet or more up in the air. After that the victim starts to fall unless he can fly. this is more effective in underdark cause the victim will appear inside of a rock (or in another level but still is out of the fight). What are the stats on falling? Is this kind of arrow possible? |
| Belthor |
Posted - 24 Jan 2006 : 16:35:32
In the book, "The Giant Among Us" by Troy Denning, he describes rune arrows. Instead of being inmbued with a spell or two, they each have a specific rune on them. They are then triggered by a password. Obviously you have to be in at least shouting range to set them off, but there are so many different runes that you could use with the arrows that it could be very fun. It's also a fantastic trilogy to read if you're so interested. |
| Purple Dragon Knight |
Posted - 20 Jan 2006 : 22:26:44
Bow range is still better than spell range:
Archer with Far Shot: Bow range = 1.5 * 1100 = 1650 ft
Fireball range for Wizard level 20 = 400 + 40*20 = 1200ft
Can you imagine a few arcane archers lobbing fireballs from 1650ft? IMC, I wouldn't allow enemy mages to counterspell these as well, as they have no idea it's a fireball until it blows... |
| Mystery_Man |
Posted - 20 Jan 2006 : 13:27:10
Well I just discovered something in the new Dragon Compendium that I might arrange to have the ranger find.
Quiver of Plenty!
*nods* Nice. |
| Kaladorm |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 16:30:13
quote:
if there are two archers how can a hit traget know which one shot him?
Regarding charm person, lol.
*thunk*, enemy looks down at the arrow, then at the archer, gives a wide grin and shouts 'hey thanks buddy!' |
| khorne |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 15:26:26
Arrows of domination. "Oi, there`s an arrow sticking out o`the elephant and now it`s smashing us!!". What do you say? |
| Fletcher |
Posted - 16 Jan 2006 : 20:32:35
How about arrows of Sleep?
Arrows of Tasha's Hideous laughter. Who doens't think the anal War Mage rolling on the floor laughing at an arrow sticking out of his stomach isn't just cool.
Or how about arrows of "Touch of Idiocy" Do I hear spell casters crying in the back ground? I think I do!
Enchantment arrows rock! |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 16 Jan 2006 : 17:03:28
quote:
Originally posted by Beowulf
quote:
Originally posted by Kaladorm
With regards to imbuing an arrow with a spell like magic missile, that seems a little pointless as magic missiles always strike, and unless you're exceedingly lucky, arrows don't always 
Yeah. You're right. Being able to hit a target (or targets) unerringly is pointless. Who in there right mind would want to be able to do that?
Well it depends on when the spell effect is activated. If activated just leaving the bow, the arrow would be restricted by range of the spell (most likel) instead of range of the arrow. If ativated when it hits something the missed shots break the arrow and the spell effect.
Also there is a problem with a fighter communicating with te arrow as to which target is being fired at. The same reason chain spells on middles pose a problem. Not all spells work well on arrows, a fireball can work, a cure spell can work, charm spells are a problem because if there are two archers how can a hit traget know which one shot him? |
| Beowulf |
Posted - 16 Jan 2006 : 16:52:55
quote:
Originally posted by Kaladorm
With regards to imbuing an arrow with a spell like magic missile, that seems a little pointless as magic missiles always strike, and unless you're exceedingly lucky, arrows don't always
Yeah. You're right. Being able to hit a target (or targets) unerringly is pointless. Who in there right mind would want to be able to do that? |
| Beirnadri Magranth |
Posted - 16 Jan 2006 : 06:30:24
quote:
Originally posted by Fletcher
Magic mouth arrows to distract or insult your foes. OR perhaps break morale?
�I�m poisoned.�
�I�m going to eat your soul!�
�Mortal Flesh is Good!�
�Come my brother arrows! Join me in our new home!�
Activation required arrows, so only 1 per round:
True shot.
Shocking grasp.
Entangle
Silence
wow for some reason only the quoted text appeared so im editing in my reply!
i was thinking about how magic mouth arros could work. if a target is trying to flee or is turning invisible etc. the arrow lodged in him or her would be commanded to speak! therefore you could track teh person or locate tehm through the sound of the spell.
-or-
you could have arrows that re heavily enchanted (expensive) but they only target things that have a certain effect going on (not expensive). the effect could be the words spoken by magic mouth arrows....
in effect making the "�Come my brother arrows! Join me in our new home!�" a reality. |
| Beezy |
Posted - 16 Jan 2006 : 04:53:40
"Thats another problem with area spells, most of them have a long spell range anyway (or longer than a bow), so there's no real need to do it (other than perhaps to get some minor extra damage if the arrow hits too)."
Yea but how many casters also use a bow? An archer can't (usually) cast fireball, cloudkill, and such and may find it useful to have enchanted arrows made.. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 16 Jan 2006 : 01:19:42
I agree that magic missle should not be used on an arrow, however I disagree with limitataion of missle fire and area effect spells. An arrow is limited by line of sight just like spells are.
"Ranged Attacks
With a ranged weapon, you can shoot or throw at any target that is within the weapon’s maximum range and in line of sight. The maximum range for a thrown weapon is five range increments. For projectile weapons, it is ten range increments. Some ranged weapons have shorter maximum ranges, as specified in their descriptions. "
A longbow has a range of 100 feet, and can be fired 10 increments (with adjustmement to attack roll) to hit at 1,000 feet. (With a -20 to hit of course, but a level 20 Fighter might not need to worry about that much and a rolled 20 always hits).
"Screaming Bolt
One of these +2 bolts screams when fired, forcing all enemies of the wielder within 20 feet of the path of the bolt to succeed on a DC 14 Will save or become shaken. This is a mind-affecting fear effect. "
This is clearly an area effect missle.
|
| Kaladorm |
Posted - 16 Jan 2006 : 00:35:19
Well covered yourself there PDK 
With regards to imbuing an arrow with a spell like magic missile, that seems a little pointless as magic missiles always strike, and unless you're exceedingly lucky, arrows don't always
Thats another problem with area spells, most of them have a long spell range anyway (or longer than a bow), so there's no real need to do it (other than perhaps to get some minor extra damage if the arrow hits too).
The character I'm playing at the moment had the idea in mind of something similar, fighter/wiz(invoker) speicialising in the bow and sonic spells (energy subsitution).
Unfortunately a lot of the feats or prestige classes (such as the Spellsword) that would facilitate imbuing spells are only available for melee weapons (spellstoring is also only available on melee weapons), so it's tricky to find anything that would work.
There was a feat that I can't find now, I think it was called reach spell, which allowed you to make a touch spell at 30ft range, so I was thinking of designing a feat to be taken after that which allows you to imbue the spell into ammunition. Still working on that one as it's a little tricky to balance |
| Purple Dragon Knight |
Posted - 14 Jan 2006 : 02:06:15
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
Best arrows? +5 arrows...
Why? combine these with a +1 distance flaming holy composite longbow [adjusted to your STR], and you go something pretty good going on! (1d8 +3d6 vs evil creatures, +6 dmg, +STR bonus on each arrow)
"Ranged Weapons and Ammunition
The enhancement bonus from a ranged weapon does not stack with the enhancement bonus from ammunition. Only the higher of the two enhancement bonuses applies. Now if it is allos a Strenght bow that can be used effectively indeed Str bonus can be added to Damage making it +5, +Str bonus in damage.
"Longbow
You need at least two hands to use a bow, regardless of its size. A longbow is too unwieldy to use while you are mounted. If you have a penalty for low Strength, apply it to damage rolls when you use a longbow. If you have a bonus for high Strength, you can apply it to damage rolls when you use a composite longbow (see below) but not a regular longbow.
Longbow, Composite
You need at least two hands to use a bow, regardless of its size. You can use a composite longbow while mounted. All composite bows are made with a particular strength rating (that is, each requires a minimum Strength modifier to use with proficiency). If your Strength bonus is less than the strength rating of the composite bow, you can’t effectively use it, so you take a -2 penalty on attacks with it. The default composite longbow requires a Strength modifier of +0 or higher to use with proficiency. A composite longbow can be made with a high strength rating to take advantage of an above-average Strength score; this feature allows you to add your Strength bonus to damage, up to the maximum bonus indicated for the bow. Each point of Strength bonus granted by the bow adds 100 gp to its cost. "
Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with an enhancement bonus of +1 or higher is treated as a magic weapon for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. Similarly, ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with an alignment gains the alignment of that projectile weapon (in addition to any alignment it may already have). "
So the arrow would still only hit at +5
Sorry, my bad: I was assuming that the bowman would have the Point Blank Shot feat, bringing the damage from +5 to +6... but that only works within 30ft. I am aware of the 3.5 rules on this (best of arrow or bow, not both), but thanks for pointing this out anyway!  |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 20:54:34
quote:
Originally posted by Beezy
Could you enchant an arrow with a cloudkill spell or a fireball or something of the sort? So that when it makes impact it will trigger the spell? Or maybe it is triggered by a word or something?
The rules appear to allow for either use-activated of command word for area effect spells to be added to arrows. It is debatable if a fireball arrow is unbalancing. I see no problem with enchanting an arrow to brust into flame when broken, though just that restriction could be dealy if quiver is broken on a charaters back (*the 10 fireball arrows activate when the orc's axe cuts into your quiver. Both the attacker and you suffer 50d8 points of damage, save for half*).
Command word offers the problem of seeing where the arrow lands and the arrow can hear the commabd word.
The best way to deal with area effect spells on arrows, IMO, is to require that they do fly some distance then hits something as the best way to use such arrow effect spells. Even this though leaves a problem of missed shots. Arrows hitting stone walls or a tree as a missed shot of traget aimed at of course would explode, but a missed arrow can slide along the ground and not be damaged at all (which leads to the problem of either others picking up a fireball arrow and using it without knowing its special ability and oposed to rule that even time a magic arrow is used its magic is expended). |
| Beowulf |
Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 20:45:26
quote:
Originally posted by Deverien Valandil
A ranger shoot a single trick arrow, which suddenly splits into a whole big swarm of (illusory) arrows that all converge on their target at the same time.
Well, hows about a arrow imbued with a magic missle spell ... which will behave in all ways like the spell once it is loosed?
Not all that fancy, but very effective.
This is a variation on a magical bow I once made, inspired by the old DnD cartoon, that fired magic missles. For all intents and purposes it was a glorified wand of magic missles.
I'd imagine teleportation arrows have already been mentioned; though these would probably have to be tailored to the destination before hand. |
| Beezy |
Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 20:12:57
Could you enchant an arrow with a cloudkill spell or a fireball or something of the sort? So that when it makes impact it will trigger the spell? Or maybe it is triggered by a word or something? |
| Deverien Valandil |
Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 17:01:35
Something I thought up just now: Trick arrows!
A ranger shoot a single trick arrow, which suddenly splits into a whole big swarm of (illusory) arrows that all converge on their target at the same time. Only the real arrow actually does any damage, but it still has its uses.
The target may think the ranger is using the Many-Shot feat and try to flee or dodge, disrupting their turn. The trick arrows could also be used against someone with the Deflect Arrows feat, providing a better chance of hitting them since they'll be desperately swatting at all the fake arrows. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 16:32:45
quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
Best arrows? +5 arrows...
Why? combine these with a +1 distance flaming holy composite longbow [adjusted to your STR], and you go something pretty good going on! (1d8 +3d6 vs evil creatures, +6 dmg, +STR bonus on each arrow)
"Ranged Weapons and Ammunition
The enhancement bonus from a ranged weapon does not stack with the enhancement bonus from ammunition. Only the higher of the two enhancement bonuses applies. Now if it is allos a Strenght bow that can be used effectively indeed Str bonus can be added to Damage making it +5, +Str bonus in damage.
"Longbow
You need at least two hands to use a bow, regardless of its size. A longbow is too unwieldy to use while you are mounted. If you have a penalty for low Strength, apply it to damage rolls when you use a longbow. If you have a bonus for high Strength, you can apply it to damage rolls when you use a composite longbow (see below) but not a regular longbow.
Longbow, Composite
You need at least two hands to use a bow, regardless of its size. You can use a composite longbow while mounted. All composite bows are made with a particular strength rating (that is, each requires a minimum Strength modifier to use with proficiency). If your Strength bonus is less than the strength rating of the composite bow, you can’t effectively use it, so you take a -2 penalty on attacks with it. The default composite longbow requires a Strength modifier of +0 or higher to use with proficiency. A composite longbow can be made with a high strength rating to take advantage of an above-average Strength score; this feature allows you to add your Strength bonus to damage, up to the maximum bonus indicated for the bow. Each point of Strength bonus granted by the bow adds 100 gp to its cost. "
Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with an enhancement bonus of +1 or higher is treated as a magic weapon for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. Similarly, ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with an alignment gains the alignment of that projectile weapon (in addition to any alignment it may already have). "
So the arrow would still only hit at +5 |
| Mystery_Man |
Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 13:40:40
quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
Best arrows? +5 arrows...
Why? combine these with a +1 distance flaming holy composite longbow [adjusted to your STR], and you go something pretty good going on! (1d8 +3d6 vs evil creatures, +6 dmg, +STR bonus on each arrow)
Except a magic bow and a magic arrow don't stack. |
| Purple Dragon Knight |
Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 13:37:05
Best arrows? +5 arrows...
Why? combine these with a +1 distance flaming holy composite longbow [adjusted to your STR], and you go something pretty good going on! (1d8 +3d6 vs evil creatures, +6 dmg, +STR bonus on each arrow) |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 12 Jan 2006 : 21:58:02
Take a lesson from cupid. Arrows of attraction |
| Kaladorm |
Posted - 09 Jan 2006 : 00:16:41
Even better, for the agnostics address one to 'God' and see which one it finds. If you get a message back from Selune saying 'stop sending me your crap!' then you've found a patron deity  |
| Reefy |
Posted - 08 Jan 2006 : 23:52:54
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
You could also bring about simple message arrows - arrows that will seek out someone ala messenger pigeons anywhere in Faerun.
C-Fb
Sounds like both a great idea and a recipe for disaster. Imagine making a hundred of them and addressing them all to Elminster... |
| Rolindin |
Posted - 08 Jan 2006 : 22:26:58
Have you heard of range arrows.
they are made out of wood metal and when shot they teleport back to the archer.
the arrow heads have the sharpness spell used on them, the arrow can hit a target up to 990 feet away. the arrows have a hardness and hit point damage for trying to break them.
the arrows have the archers skills, feats of far shot and accuaracy put into them.
used by specality groups to kill emeny leaders in battle.
there is also the anti magic arrows, made from the shadow pane. the arrows by pass wizards magic shields and takes spells from thier memorie. the arrows also can be made with other spells, so the target has to make saving throws, (depending on what is used on the arrow). wizards, cleric's using the weave of mystra have to watch out for theses arrrows. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 08 Jan 2006 : 06:31:09
phasing has been around for sometime now, phase spiders, here, not here, blink being some that come to mind. The only problem I have with phase arrows is controling when they bypass things and when they do not, but indeed I have hread of them. |
| Rolindin |
Posted - 08 Jan 2006 : 04:35:30
A arrow that caught my attention was a phase arrow, some one asked me about them. I've never heard of them some looked themup to find out what they were.
it's seems that a phase arrow is a arrow or arrows that have teleportation spell used on them and then the shoter uses them to hit the target by causing the arrow to appear in frount of the target and try to hit target. dex would come into play there, and other skills and feats such as arrow snach.
phase arrows has any other one heard of them? |
| Mystery_Man |
Posted - 06 Jan 2006 : 17:18:36
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Actually, you're generally right-Imbue Arrow is limited to only area spells, the majority of which (at least the arcane ones) have Long ranges, which are better than a bow. (For clarification: Area spells have an area line in their writeup, instead of a target line[generally]. Compare fireball and magic missile.)
Yes, I'm more interested in arrows created as magic items rather than imubued as from the arcane archer.
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
However, the large amount of concepts expressed in this thread don't seem to be using that ability, but instead weapon enhancements or other ideas(alchemical capsules, anyone?)...
 Ooooo! |
| Arivia |
Posted - 06 Jan 2006 : 16:48:16
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Maybe I'm using the old 3E limits or something but I thought the spells that could be imbued into arrows had to be a particular classification/type (and can't remember right now) and the list of this is rather slim.....
Actually, you're generally right-Imbue Arrow is limited to only area spells, the majority of which (at least the arcane ones) have Long ranges, which are better than a bow. (For clarification: Area spells have an area line in their writeup, instead of a target line[generally]. Compare fireball and magic missile.)
However, the large amount of concepts expressed in this thread don't seem to be using that ability, but instead weapon enhancements or other ideas(alchemical capsules, anyone?)... |
