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Old 10-01-2019, 12:35 AM   #1
Ordo_Lyrae
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default Weapon choice advice for a halfling thief

I have a player with a backstabby (ST 19 on a backstab, otherwise ST 9) halfling thief and we are having trouble figuring out the ideal melee weapon and ranged weapon for him to use. Currently the idea is a large katar for stabbing vitals as melee. Ranged is a bit more uncertain. Thoughts are crossbow: pros: 1d+2 imp damage is decent, range is good, bracing. OR sling: not sure which type of sling, damage is worse all around, but does provide potion launching utility.

What does the knowing and wise DF commenteriat advise?
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Old 10-01-2019, 04:43 AM   #2
evileeyore
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Default Re: Weapon choice advice for a halfling thief

I'm questioning the Katar over the Long Knife? If the Player thinks Parries are off the table and he's really going for thrust damage, I get it. Otherwise the Long Knife wins. As well, the Long Knife can be used off-handed witht eh Main Gauche skill for fencing parries (and it can be used as a Shortsword for his buddies if he falls down and they need a back up weapon... but that's a far, far lesser consideration).

Granted, a Katar is also cheaper...



For ranged, it depends on his considerations; for damage go crossbow. For rate of fire and cheapness of ammo, go sling. But for that matter, has the Player considered regular bows? Or even throwing knives (I allow variant Cornucopia Quivers as well, Cost = $2000 x Weapon Cost + $10).


Also I'd allow him to buy up a "Ranged Backstab" for 2 points per level... but that's just me. In which case, I'd allow it to also apply to crossbows, as the Backstab is supposed to represent "skill at taking advantage of a situation" rather than actual ST.
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Old 10-01-2019, 09:22 AM   #3
malloyd
 
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Default Re: Weapon choice advice for a halfling thief

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Originally Posted by evileeyore View Post
Granted, a Katar is also cheaper...
The Large Katar isn't - it's a Shortsword weapon, and doesn't take a parry penalty (and lets you use your Brawling parry if it's better, which it could be for some Thief builds, but probably shouldn't be if you were optimizing to be a backstab specialist with this thing). And it gets 2 points more thrust damage than a Long Knife

Quote:
For ranged, it depends on his considerations; for damage go crossbow. For rate of fire and cheapness of ammo, go sling. But for that matter, has the Player considered regular bows? Or even throwing knives (I allow variant Cornucopia Quivers as well, Cost = $2000 x Weapon Cost + $10).
At ST9 the sling effectively gets a point more damage than a short bow (the only bow you'd meet the Min ST for) and the only edge the bow has is a little bit of range, which usually isn't a big deal in a dungeon.

I personally usually opt for the sling, but a big advantage of a crossbow is you can use one that has lots more ST than you do (get a stronger party member to cock it when you are getting ready for the fight) to get off one shot at no penalty for *vastly* more damage than you otherwise could, which certainly seems like the kind of tactic a backstab specialist would appreciate, so it seems more in character. Of course it's useless for the rest of the fight, but crossbows are slow - they were going to be in melee range before you could reload it anyway right?
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Old 10-01-2019, 11:32 AM   #4
Kalzazz
 
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Default Re: Weapon choice advice for a halfling thief

My favorite backstab is usually a swing to the skull

So I favor weapons with some good swing
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Old 10-01-2019, 11:45 AM   #5
Kalzazz
 
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Default Re: Weapon choice advice for a halfling thief

I might drop a point in crossbow for an opening shot, but, Thrown Weapon Knife is good. You can fast draw knives and they benefit from Halfling Marksmanship

16 DX, 2 halfling marksmanship and 4 points in skill and your at 20, throw a knife into someone's eye at 2 paces

Learn the Thief Weapon Master Knives and swing for the skull on a backstab and you'll split their head clean open
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Old 10-01-2019, 12:04 PM   #6
Anders
 
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Default Re: Weapon choice advice for a halfling thief

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalzazz View Post
My favorite backstab is usually a swing to the skull

So I favor weapons with some good swing
Difficult for the halfling, unless he has a stepladder.
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Old 10-01-2019, 01:00 PM   #7
Kalzazz
 
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Default Re: Weapon choice advice for a halfling thief

Long Knife has reach 1 swing cut
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Old 10-01-2019, 04:01 PM   #8
Black Leviathan
 
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Default Re: Weapon choice advice for a halfling thief

It sounds kind of coarse for a thief but Hatchet is nice. In addition to being a practical tool which thieves like, it also does a lot more damage on that sneak attack than a thrusting blade. Also decent for throwing. And they're cheap if you want to upgrade them to Fine Quality or Climbing.
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Old 10-03-2019, 12:24 PM   #9
Imbicatus
 
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Default Re: Weapon choice advice for a halfling thief

A short baton is also good to have as a backup weapon. It uses knife skill, and does swing damage at c,1. It’s cr damage, but there are times that’s better than cut or imp.
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Old 10-03-2019, 01:16 PM   #10
ArchonShiva
 
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Default Re: Weapon choice advice for a halfling thief

The crossbow shouldn’t do 1d+2. You can have a stronger PC load a crossbow (or two) for you between fights using a goat’s foot, and have it do 2d+5(2)pi off a relatively common ST 17, using $6 fine bodkin bolts.

On top of that, you can add a sight to bring up Accuracy to +5, Balanced (relatively inexpensive on a $150 weapon) for +6, and +1 skill with balanced bolts (+$8 per shot). If you expect to be able to set up, a crossbow rest for another bump.

By this point you’re cancelling the entire penalty for a skull shot, which multiplies ~12 damage by x4 after half DR.
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