Arrows used as melee weapons.

Dammann · 04-18-2013, 06:12 PM

What is a reasonable way to stat an arrow used to stab someone? I would expect that there is a risk of damaging the arrow when it is used this way, but how much damage should it do? I treated it as a small knife in game (thrust-1 using the Knife skill), but it has stuck with me as a game-time-ruling that I am not entirely satisfied with. This came up in a Dungeon Fantasy game, fwiw.

vierasmarius · 04-18-2013, 06:18 PM

This is actually addressed in Low Tech, on the Improvised Weapons table (pg 63). An arrow or bolt can be used to stab as a dagger, capped at 1d-4 imp damage, and has a 50% chance to break on a successful strike or parry.

gilbertocarlos · 04-18-2013, 06:19 PM

Attack with knife skill, Thrust-1 imp. Every hit and parry roll 1d6, if you rolled 4 or more, it breaks.

Dammann · 04-18-2013, 11:12 PM

vierasmarius, thanks for the rule reference. I knew it wasn't such an unusual idea that it hadn't been addressed before.

gilbertocarlos, that was nearly how I ruled on the spot, aside from the chance to break the arrow (which occurred to me later). It is reassuring to have you echo my judgement.

Next time, I'll go with the 1d-4 capped imp, 50% chance of impaling, as per LT63.

Blood Legend · 04-18-2013, 11:54 PM

Small Knife, Improvised -2 to skill, Cheap.

vierasmarius · 04-18-2013, 11:56 PM

Honestly, I'd probably waive the damage cap (at least for a Heroic Archer) in a DF game. 1d-4 doesn't go far against a burly orc, even if you pull a Legolas and stab it in both eyes.

sir_pudding · 04-19-2013, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vierasmarius

Honestly, I'd probably waive the damage cap (at least for a Heroic Archer) in a DF game. 1d-4 doesn't go far against a burly orc, even if you pull a Legolas and stab it in both eyes.

Doesn't Bow Fencer allow crazy stabbing with arrows?

vierasmarius · 04-19-2013, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

Doesn't Bow Fencer allow crazy stabbing with arrows?

Ah, right. I'd missed that. That perk allows melee attacks and parries with both bow and arrow, with no damage cap and no special breakage rules. (DF11:32)

kirbwarrior · 04-19-2013, 12:23 AM

On a related note, what if the arrows were made of something stronger? A player of mine is using a bow with metal arrows (flexible metal, similar to tubular bows). Would they be significantly stronger?

gilbertocarlos · 04-19-2013, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirbwarrior

On a related note, what if the arrows were made of something stronger? A player of mine is using a bow with metal arrows (flexible metal, similar to tubular bows). Would they be significantly stronger?

No, a thrust from a wooden spear with a metal point and a thrust with a sword aren't much different in terms of damage.

04-18-2013, 06:12 PM	#1
Dammann Join Date: May 2011	Arrows used as melee weapons. What is a reasonable way to stat an arrow used to stab someone? I would expect that there is a risk of damaging the arrow when it is used this way, but how much damage should it do? I treated it as a small knife in game (thrust-1 using the Knife skill), but it has stuck with me as a game-time-ruling that I am not entirely satisfied with. This came up in a Dungeon Fantasy game, fwiw.

04-18-2013, 06:18 PM	#2
vierasmarius Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oregon	Re: Arrows used as melee weapons. This is actually addressed in Low Tech, on the Improvised Weapons table (pg 63). An arrow or bolt can be used to stab as a dagger, capped at 1d-4 imp damage, and has a 50% chance to break on a successful strike or parry.

04-18-2013, 06:19 PM	#3
gilbertocarlos Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Caxias do Sul, Brazil	Re: Arrows used as melee weapons. Attack with knife skill, Thrust-1 imp. Every hit and parry roll 1d6, if you rolled 4 or more, it breaks.

04-18-2013, 11:12 PM	#4
Dammann Join Date: May 2011	Re: Arrows used as melee weapons. vierasmarius, thanks for the rule reference. I knew it wasn't such an unusual idea that it hadn't been addressed before. gilbertocarlos, that was nearly how I ruled on the spot, aside from the chance to break the arrow (which occurred to me later). It is reassuring to have you echo my judgement. Next time, I'll go with the 1d-4 capped imp, 50% chance of impaling, as per LT63.

04-18-2013, 11:54 PM	#5
Blood Legend Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Fine Line Between Black and White	Re: Arrows used as melee weapons. Small Knife, Improvised -2 to skill, Cheap. __________________ . ( )( ) -This is The Overlord Bunny o(O.o)o -Master of Bunnies O('')('') -And Destroyer of the Hasenpfeffer "This is the sort of relatively small error that destroys planetary probes." ~Bruno

04-18-2013, 11:56 PM	#6
vierasmarius Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oregon	Re: Arrows used as melee weapons. Honestly, I'd probably waive the damage cap (at least for a Heroic Archer) in a DF game. 1d-4 doesn't go far against a burly orc, even if you pull a Legolas and stab it in both eyes.