Any ideas of bringing slings into line with Deadly Spring bows?

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Icelander

Given that momentum and mass are uniquely important in low-velocity penetration and wounding, it's not unreasonable that weapons optimised for long range have Damage that is comparatively poor even among other muscle-powered weapons.

Basically, if you want real physics to apply in your world, light projectiles moving at velocities realistic for muscle-powered weapons will not penetrate any serious armour. Doesn't matter if they're arrows, darts, stones or lead spheres. They need more velocity if they are to penetrate armour reliably.

Heavier projectiles do a bit better, enough so that I'd be happy enough with unmodified highly-optimistic muscle-powered stats for those. That would be javelins, spears, thrown maces, thrown axes, etc.

Dunno, some of those rocks thrown by slings on old illustrations look quite big and heavy. As do some siege (cross)bow projectiles. That seems to be an argument in favour of at least having a mechanic that makes the damage from ST scale with the object's mass, similar to Throwing Stuff per-die modifiers.

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Dunno, some of those rocks thrown by slings on old illustrations look quite big and heavy. As do some siege (cross)bow projectiles. That seems to be an argument in favour of at least having a mechanic that makes the damage from ST scale with the object's mass, similar to Throwing Stuff per-die modifiers.

There will always be breakpoints at which the modelling is imperfect. Personally, I always welcome smoother breakpoints, but I understand that it usually adds complexity and it is not always practical to have a model which works at all levels.

If we have to have inaccurate modelling somewhere in the system, a few marginal weapons rarely used in history would seem less harmful than the majority of all ranged weapons until the invention of gunpowder.

[vicky_molokh]

Well, ballistæ are rare in PC-level encounters, I guess. But aren't staff-slings quite common historically, particularly in certain military units?

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Well, ballistæ are rare in PC-level encounters, I guess. But aren't staff-slings quite common historically, particularly in certain military units?

Staff slings aren't necessarily used to shoot 1-lb stones or bullets. In most cases, such factors as range, ease of use and supply are more important than damage for battlefield use, because most people just accept that ranged weapons won't penetrate any armour anyway and that any kind of wound will usually induce people to drop out of combat.

Heavy slings existed historically, but don't appear to have been all that popular as battlefield weapons. The limited range and the difficulty of carrying enough ammunition no doubt played a part there.