[LT] Staff Slings

[Green-Neck]

I've been pondering staff slings of late. There's a few questions I would like some help with.

1. Can I use a staff sling as a staff? I would like specifically to get the +2 to parry that staves offer.

2. Can I all out attack strong with a staff sling? I know it's not RAW, and it makes no sense for bows - but a sling is not designed to a ST rating. It makes as much sense as AoA strong with a sword [?].

Thanks.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Green-Neck

1. Can I use a staff sling as a staff? I would like specifically to get the +2 to parry that staves offer.

The "staff" of a staff sling isn't a big heavy thick quarterstaff. It's a comparatively lightweight thin short stick. Maybe you could treat it like a Cheap Shortstaff.

[Green-Neck]

Yeah, part of the discussion will come down to exactly what is a staff sling. some apear to be a short stick, some quite long. Perhaps an average staff sling is a short staff. Wikipedia [the font of all truth ;P] suggests:

"...Staff slings are extremely powerful because the stave can be made as long as two meters, creating a powerful lever. Ancient art shows slingers holding staff slings by one end, with the pocket behind them, and using both hands to throw the staves forward over their heads...

...The staff itself can become a close combat weapon in a melee..."

Perhaps there should be seperate stats for a 'great staff sling' or some such.

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Green-Neck

Yeah, part of the discussion will come down to exactly what is a staff sling. some apear to be a short stick, some quite long. Perhaps an average staff sling is a short staff. Wikipedia [the font of all truth ;P] suggests:

Or we could just look at the stats.

A staff sling as statted in Low Tech weighs two pounds.

A quarterstaff weighs four pounds.

No way is the staff of that sling going to serve as a quarterstaff. Maybe a Jo, if you're feeling generous.

[Green-Neck]

Thanks, yes a Jo seems the best fit by weight. It does also give the +2 parry I was hoping for.

any thoughts on question 2?

[Diomedes]

Originally Posted by Green-Neck

Thanks, yes a Jo seems the best fit by weight. It does also give the +2 parry I was hoping for.

any thoughts on question 2?

One of the articles in Pyramid's alternate GURPS issue, I think it was tbone's, discussed an optional rule for applying All-Out Attack (Strong) to thrown weapons. I think it could also apply to slings.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Green-Neck

any thoughts on question 2?

It's not RAW (AoA:Strong is melee only). It might be more realistic to have an AoA option for Slings that increases effective ST by 1 (and therefore Range and maybe damage).