Weights of similar specification items

[darkdrone]

I just noted that there are several instances where I will come across a Shortbow having (+0,1d7) yet have different weights.

Does this have any significant gameplay effects? I guess it might be just weighing me down.

Do the heavier versions of the same melee weapon cause more damage? (that could just be my Oangband memory though....)

Edit... after RTM, I gather the heavier ones cause more damage if the character has more STR? Am i right ?

[debo]

Bows and weapons will give you +x damage sides per point of strength per pound of weight.

So, a dude with 3 str and a 1d7 2lb bow will shoot at 1d9.

This also works in the opposite direction -- if you have -1 str, and a 2.0lb 1d7 shortbow, you will shoot 1d6.

The ability 'Momentum' screws with this calculation -- basically, it doubles the effective weight of the weapon for damage side calculations.

Critical hits are also based on weapon weight. Basically, lighter weapons give more crits. A single crit (you hit the orc!) will give an extra damage _die_ to your roll.

A good general rule is to have weapons that weight as close as possible to your strength.

[taptap]

Indeed, rtfm

It is most important. It also means if you have a dagger of 0.5 lb you will still do the whole damage even with negative strength (or rapid attack).

This mechanism leads to several ways to produce high damage you can go for high base damage (high strength, heavy weapon), lots of critical hits (light weapon) or fewer critical hits but from a large base (polearms). Also note that you can influence the likelihood of critical hits not only with the weight of your weapons but via abilities power, finesse, subtlety or for bows precision (and by your skill and everything that influences it of course).

[ekolis]

Originally Posted by debo

Bows and weapons will give you +x damage sides per point of strength per pound of weight.

So, a dude with 3 str and a 1d7 2lb bow will shoot at 1d9.

This also works in the opposite direction -- if you have -1 str, and a 2.0lb 1d7 shortbow, you will shoot 1d6.

Is this because of rounding? Or am I misreading the rule somehow? Seems like 3 str, 2lb weapon would get +1.5 sides - is that rounded up to 2, or do you just get the worst of the two bonuses (so since 2 is less than 3, you get 2)?

[wobbly]

Originally Posted by ekolis

Is this because of rounding? Or am I misreading the rule somehow? Seems like 3 str, 2lb weapon would get +1.5 sides - is that rounded up to 2, or do you just get the worst of the two bonuses (so since 2 is less than 3, you get 2)?

1d7 weapon:
<1 lb 1d7 irregardless of strength.
1lb or 1.5 lb
< or = -1 str 1d6, 0 str 1d7, > or = 1 str 1d8
2lb or 2.5 lb
-2 str 1d5, -1 str 1d6, 0 str 1d7, 1 str 1d8, 2 or more str 1d9
etc.

Edit: If you get confused look at the left side bar:
The top (+x, ydz) is your melee
Below it (+x, ydz) is your bow
[+x, y-z], x is evading damage, y-z is absorbing damage
Light weapons critical more easily. You hit the foo!! - the 2 exclamation marks means 2 criticals(more exactly 1 double critical).

[WaveMotion]

Here's another way to put it:

The number of damage sides is increased by your Str, or reduced if your Str is negative, but the amount increased or reduced is limited by the weight of the weapon.