Review my crazy Dark Sun weapon conversion.

Gorkamorka · 11-08-2011, 09:39 AM

There are a few forum members that seem to be converting Dark Sun to GURPS. I’m one of them. My latest project was to go through my ADnD Dark Sun books and convert all the crazy weapons to GURPS. At least that was my original intent, then I realized that some of the were to crazy and I settled for converting most of them.

I would be much obliged if you, the reader, would take a moment and read over the conversions and give your opinion.

Here are the ground rules I set for myself. No rule of cool, no cinematic weapons, TL is ignored, all stats assume steel weapons and conversion to other materials can be done later. Style familiarity perks can be purchased to get rid of negative modifiers doo to balance issues. Some of these weapons are gladiator weapons. They are not supposed to be practical.

MA means MartialArts. LT means LowTech

Name: Bards Friend
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
sw-2 cut-----C,1-------0 (F)---150-------2--------7----Main Gauche or MA
thr imp-------C-----------------------------------------Main Gauche or MA
Description: Multiple blades attached to a single handle, Can be used to punch. Can be used with Main Gauche skill for fencing bonus or with MA skills for damage bonus.

Name: Cahulaks
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
sw imp---------1---------0U-----120------ 6-------8--------Axe/Mace
thr -2 cut------1---------0U--------------------------------Axe/Mace
sw +2 imp ----2,3-------(-2U)----------------------11---------Kusari
thr -1 cut-----2,3-------(-2U)----------------------11---------Kusari
Description: Gladiator Weapon. A pair of four pronged hooks on a shaft, connected by a five foot of rope at the back ends. A type of Kusarigama with a gama at both ends. Swinging it to get impaling attacks is the closest I came to a cinematic weapon. Also available with a single handle and a single hook.

Name: Carrikal
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
sw +3 cut------1-------0U------80-------5--------12-------Axe/Mace
sw +5 cut-----1,2*-----0U-----150-----10--------14-----T.H. Axe/Mace
Description: Double front bladed axe, (0,5 Armour Division), -2 to use doo to balance, minus can be gotten rid of with a perk. Normal Axe version and Great Axe versions shown. Often made from a jawbone starped to a haft.

Name: Chatkcha
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
thr cut--------C-------(-2)------50------1/2------5----Any punching MA
Description: Hand eld use of missile weapon. Thri-Kreen weapon, essentially a large throwing star, does 2 points damage to users hand when held. Thri-kreens have natural armor and don´t care.

Name: Datchi Club
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
sw +2 cr------2,3*------0------100-------5--------9------T.H. Axe / Mace
sw +2 cr------2,3*-----+2-----------------------------------T.H. Sword
thr cr---------3--------+2----------------------------------T.H. Sword

Description: Gladiator Weapon. Huge, light club. Club head is 4-5 feet long and made of light materials such as a dried root or insect hive. Attached to a 3 foot handle. The club is spiked with obsidian to cause bleeding after hitting unarmored target.

Name: Dragons Paw
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
thr +1 imp-----1--------+1------500-------7-------11------Short Sword
sw -1 cut--------------------------------------------------Short Sword
thr +3 imp-----2-----------------------------------------------Spear
Description: Gladiator Weapon. Spear with tips at both ends and hilted punch blade in the centre, DR 4 for main hand, +1 parry, it´s common to use tip slashes, -2 to use if unfamiliar with weapon.

Name: Elf Longblade.
Description: Dark Sun Elven Weapon. Use stats for Jian from MA book, Fencing Blade

Name: Gythka
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
thr +3 imp----1,2*------0-------120------10------11---------Pole arm
sw +2 cut----1,2*------0U-----------------------------------Pole arm
Description: Two handed Thri-Kreen weapon, mix of boar spear and duelling glaive, can be used for two weapon attack at reach 1, -2 to use if unfamiliar with weapon, fixed with a perk. A single headed version exists. Stats would be the same exept drop cost to 80, weight to 7 and ST to 9. Drop -2 to skill.

Name: Handfork
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
sw -2 cut----C,1------0 (F)-----100------2--------7-----Knife or Main Gauche
thr +1 imp----C--------0 (F)-----------------------------Knife or Main Gauche
Description: Sai with cutting edges or a really short Trident. Follows all the special rules for Trident.

Name: Heartpick
Description: Pick backed with a hammer head. Use pick stats, but can change imp damage to cr damge, costs +25 and add +0,5 to weight

Name: Impaler
Description: Double headed pick. Think road work pick. Follows all the rules for T.H. Warhammer but change cost to 150, weight to 8 and ST to 13.

Name: Macahuitl
Description: A sword like club with obsidian studded edges. See Low Tech

Name: Puckih
Description: Obsidian punching dagger

Name: Quabone
Description: Gladiator Weapon. 4 jawbones sharpened and lashed together to make a light mace. Use Baton stats. If bleeding rules are being used this weapon will cause bleeding after hitting unarmored foes.

Name: Mellicot Sap
Description: 2 yard Kusari made from rope and a large sap. Treat as Kusari with -1 to damage. This is the only weapon I don´t stat as made from metal. In that case just use Kusari Stats.

Name: Singing Sticks
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
sw -1 cr-------1-------0F-------20--------1-------5----Short sword/Smallsword
thr cr----------1-------0F------------------------------Short sword/Smallsword
Description: Gladiator Weapon. Light batons with grooves that make whistling sounds when swung, generally used in pairs.

Name: Swatter
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
sw +6 cr-----2,3*------0U------200------15-------16----T.H. Axe/Mace
Description: Spiked hardwood club made for half-giants.

Name: Talid
Description: Gladiator Weapon. Use stats for elbow long Cestus from MA. Add Elbow spike that allows thr imp (plus MA bonus) attacks with elbow strikes.

Name: Tortoise Blade
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
sw -1 cut-----1---------0------450-------5-------11--------Short sword
thr +2 imp-----1--------0------------------------------------Short sword
Description: A large Katar sticking out from the edge of a small light shield. -1 to use shield and weapon unless a familiarity perk is bought. Use stats for small light shield. Heavy shield or buckler will change the weight and ST of weapon.

Name: Trikal
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
sw +5 cr------1,2*------0------100-------7-------10------Pole Arm
thr +1 cr-------2--------0---------------------------------Pole Arm
thr -1 cut-----1,2*----------------------------------------Pole Arm
Description: A long, three flanged mace mace with sharp edges below head. Last line of stats is when pole arm is used to hook.

Name: Weighted Pike
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
thr +3 imp----2,3*-----0U-------70--------7-------12--------Spear
sw +3 cr----1,2,3*-----0U--------------------------------T.H. Axe/Mace
Description: Long spear with a light spiked mace on the other end. -2 to use doo to strange balance. Modefier can be fixed by buying a perk.

Name: Wrist Razor
DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill-------------
sw -1 cut----C,1-------0------150--------3-------8-----Any punching MA
thr imp-------C,1--------0-------------------------------Any punching MA
Description: Gladiator Weapon. Long knifes mounted on to a bracer and extending over the knuckles. Think Wolverine. Hand can still be used at -2 to action. MA damage bonus.

Name: Zerga
Description: Use javelin statistics, add barbs and an attached rope.

aesir23 · 11-08-2011, 11:10 AM

Looks good, although I'm unfamiliar with the setting

Two things:

Just going by the picture, the Cahulaks seems too short to use Kusari to entangle. I'd use the Flail skill instead.

[EDIT] But i see from your description that the rope is 5 feet long, so never mind.[/edit]

The Trikal looks unbalanced, I'd give it 0U parry when used to Swing.

Gorkamorka · 11-08-2011, 03:12 PM

Part II --Half Giant Weapons--
My version of Dark Sun Half Giants have an average of ST 22 and are SM +2 (11' - 12'). So weapons their size do double damage bonus, need double ST, weigh 5 times as much and have a reach multiplier of 1.5. They cost 5 times as much as SM 0 weapons. If the weapon originally had negative damage bonus, just add one to the damage

So here are some conversions
---------------------------DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST--
Half Giant T.H.Great Axe----sw+8 cut-----2,3*-----0U-------500-----40-------24
Half Giant Knife-------------thr imp--------1------(-1)-------100----2.5-------10
And something Long like a
Half Giant Pike-------------thr+6 imp-----6,8*-----0U-------400-----65-------24

I'm seriously considering making Half Giants an NPC race. A big one with the great axe would do 4D+10 cutting in damage when he hits.

Crakkerjakk · 11-08-2011, 03:17 PM

I posted a comment on Jurgen's Dark Sun conversion thread.

Most of them seem to already be in MA, IMO.

Gorkamorka · 11-08-2011, 03:22 PM

I did have a good look at that list before I started. Might even have borrowed from it. I don't disagree with you as such, but I found the list a bit simplified so I did my list. Plus the conversion was fun.

11-08-2011, 09:39 AM	#1
Gorkamorka Ceci n'est pas un hyperlien Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Iceland	Review my crazy Dark Sun weapon conversion. There are a few forum members that seem to be converting Dark Sun to GURPS. I’m one of them. My latest project was to go through my ADnD Dark Sun books and convert all the crazy weapons to GURPS. At least that was my original intent, then I realized that some of the were to crazy and I settled for converting most of them. I would be much obliged if you, the reader, would take a moment and read over the conversions and give your opinion. Here are the ground rules I set for myself. No rule of cool, no cinematic weapons, TL is ignored, all stats assume steel weapons and conversion to other materials can be done later. Style familiarity perks can be purchased to get rid of negative modifiers doo to balance issues. Some of these weapons are gladiator weapons. They are not supposed to be practical. MA means MartialArts. LT means LowTech Name: Bards Friend DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- sw-2 cut-----C,1-------0 (F)---150-------2--------7----Main Gauche or MA thr imp-------C-----------------------------------------Main Gauche or MA Description: Multiple blades attached to a single handle, Can be used to punch. Can be used with Main Gauche skill for fencing bonus or with MA skills for damage bonus. Name: Cahulaks DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- sw imp---------1---------0U-----120------ 6-------8--------Axe/Mace thr -2 cut------1---------0U--------------------------------Axe/Mace sw +2 imp ----2,3-------(-2U)----------------------11---------Kusari thr -1 cut-----2,3-------(-2U)----------------------11---------Kusari Description: Gladiator Weapon. A pair of four pronged hooks on a shaft, connected by a five foot of rope at the back ends. A type of Kusarigama with a gama at both ends. Swinging it to get impaling attacks is the closest I came to a cinematic weapon. Also available with a single handle and a single hook. Name: Carrikal DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- sw +3 cut------1-------0U------80-------5--------12-------Axe/Mace sw +5 cut-----1,2-----0U-----150-----10--------14-----T.H. Axe/Mace Description: Double front bladed axe, (0,5 Armour Division), -2 to use doo to balance, minus can be gotten rid of with a perk. Normal Axe version and Great Axe versions shown. Often made from a jawbone starped to a haft. Name: Chatkcha DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- thr cut--------C-------(-2)------50------1/2------5----Any punching MA Description: Hand eld use of missile weapon. Thri-Kreen weapon, essentially a large throwing star, does 2 points damage to users hand when held. Thri-kreens have natural armor and don´t care. Name: Datchi Club DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- sw +2 cr------2,3------0------100-------5--------9------T.H. Axe / Mace sw +2 cr------2,3-----+2-----------------------------------T.H. Sword thr cr---------3--------+2----------------------------------T.H. Sword Description: Gladiator Weapon. Huge, light club. Club head is 4-5 feet long and made of light materials such as a dried root or insect hive. Attached to a 3 foot handle. The club is spiked with obsidian to cause bleeding after hitting unarmored target. Name: Dragons Paw DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- thr +1 imp-----1--------+1------500-------7-------11------Short Sword sw -1 cut--------------------------------------------------Short Sword thr +3 imp-----2-----------------------------------------------Spear Description: Gladiator Weapon. Spear with tips at both ends and hilted punch blade in the centre, DR 4 for main hand, +1 parry, it´s common to use tip slashes, -2 to use if unfamiliar with weapon. Name: Elf Longblade. Description: Dark Sun Elven Weapon. Use stats for Jian from MA book, Fencing Blade Name: Gythka DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- thr +3 imp----1,2------0-------120------10------11---------Pole arm sw +2 cut----1,2------0U-----------------------------------Pole arm Description: Two handed Thri-Kreen weapon, mix of boar spear and duelling glaive, can be used for two weapon attack at reach 1, -2 to use if unfamiliar with weapon, fixed with a perk. A single headed version exists. Stats would be the same exept drop cost to 80, weight to 7 and ST to 9. Drop -2 to skill. Name: Handfork DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- sw -2 cut----C,1------0 (F)-----100------2--------7-----Knife or Main Gauche thr +1 imp----C--------0 (F)-----------------------------Knife or Main Gauche Description: Sai with cutting edges or a really short Trident. Follows all the special rules for Trident. Name: Heartpick Description: Pick backed with a hammer head. Use pick stats, but can change imp damage to cr damge, costs +25 and add +0,5 to weight Name: Impaler Description: Double headed pick. Think road work pick. Follows all the rules for T.H. Warhammer but change cost to 150, weight to 8 and ST to 13. Name: Macahuitl Description: A sword like club with obsidian studded edges. See Low Tech Name: Puckih Description: Obsidian punching dagger Name: Quabone Description: Gladiator Weapon. 4 jawbones sharpened and lashed together to make a light mace. Use Baton stats. If bleeding rules are being used this weapon will cause bleeding after hitting unarmored foes. Name: Mellicot Sap Description: 2 yard Kusari made from rope and a large sap. Treat as Kusari with -1 to damage. This is the only weapon I don´t stat as made from metal. In that case just use Kusari Stats. Name: Singing Sticks DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- sw -1 cr-------1-------0F-------20--------1-------5----Short sword/Smallsword thr cr----------1-------0F------------------------------Short sword/Smallsword Description: Gladiator Weapon. Light batons with grooves that make whistling sounds when swung, generally used in pairs. Name: Swatter DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- sw +6 cr-----2,3------0U------200------15-------16----T.H. Axe/Mace Description: Spiked hardwood club made for half-giants. Name: Talid Description: Gladiator Weapon. Use stats for elbow long Cestus from MA. Add Elbow spike that allows thr imp (plus MA bonus) attacks with elbow strikes. Name: Tortoise Blade DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- sw -1 cut-----1---------0------450-------5-------11--------Short sword thr +2 imp-----1--------0------------------------------------Short sword Description: A large Katar sticking out from the edge of a small light shield. -1 to use shield and weapon unless a familiarity perk is bought. Use stats for small light shield. Heavy shield or buckler will change the weight and ST of weapon. Name: Trikal DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- sw +5 cr------1,2------0------100-------7-------10------Pole Arm thr +1 cr-------2--------0---------------------------------Pole Arm thr -1 cut-----1,2----------------------------------------Pole Arm Description: A long, three flanged mace mace with sharp edges below head. Last line of stats is when pole arm is used to hook. Name: Weighted Pike DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- thr +3 imp----2,3-----0U-------70--------7-------12--------Spear sw +3 cr----1,2,3-----0U--------------------------------T.H. Axe/Mace Description: Long spear with a light spiked mace on the other end. -2 to use doo to strange balance. Modefier can be fixed by buying a perk. Name: Wrist Razor DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-------------Skill------------- sw -1 cut----C,1-------0------150--------3-------8-----Any punching MA thr imp-------C,1--------0-------------------------------Any punching MA Description: Gladiator Weapon. Long knifes mounted on to a bracer and extending over the knuckles. Think Wolverine. Hand can still be used at -2 to action. MA damage bonus. Name: Zerga Description: Use javelin statistics, add barbs and an attached rope.

11-08-2011, 11:10 AM	#2
aesir23 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vermont	Re: Review my crazy Dark Sun weapon conversion. Looks good, although I'm unfamiliar with the setting Two things: Just going by the picture, the Cahulaks seems too short to use Kusari to entangle. I'd use the Flail skill instead. [EDIT] But i see from your description that the rope is 5 feet long, so never mind.[/edit] The Trikal looks unbalanced, I'd give it 0U parry when used to Swing. __________________ My ongoing thread of GURPS versions of DC Comics characters.

11-08-2011, 03:12 PM	#3
Gorkamorka Ceci n'est pas un hyperlien Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Iceland	Re: Review my crazy Dark Sun weapon conversion. Part II --Half Giant Weapons-- My version of Dark Sun Half Giants have an average of ST 22 and are SM +2 (11' - 12'). So weapons their size do double damage bonus, need double ST, weigh 5 times as much and have a reach multiplier of 1.5. They cost 5 times as much as SM 0 weapons. If the weapon originally had negative damage bonus, just add one to the damage So here are some conversions ---------------------------DAMAGE-----Reach----Parry----Cost----Weight----ST-- Half Giant T.H.Great Axe----sw+8 cut-----2,3-----0U-------500-----40-------24 Half Giant Knife-------------thr imp--------1------(-1)-------100----2.5-------10 And something Long like a Half Giant Pike-------------thr+6 imp-----6,8-----0U-------400-----65-------24 I'm seriously considering making Half Giants an NPC race. A big one with the great axe would do 4D+10 cutting in damage when he hits.

11-08-2011, 03:17 PM	#4
Crakkerjakk "Gimme 18 minutes . . ." Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM	Re: Review my crazy Dark Sun weapon conversion. I posted a comment on Jurgen's Dark Sun conversion thread. Most of them seem to already be in MA, IMO. __________________ My bare bones web page Semper Fi

11-08-2011, 03:22 PM	#5
Gorkamorka Ceci n'est pas un hyperlien Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Iceland	Re: Review my crazy Dark Sun weapon conversion. I did have a good look at that list before I started. Might even have borrowed from it. I don't disagree with you as such, but I found the list a bit simplified so I did my list. Plus the conversion was fun.