Re: archery commentary

[Wright Frazier <khelek@ns1.cioe.com>]

> 
> On Thu, 24 Sep 1998, Wright Frazier wrote:
> 
> > > So, lemmie get this straight ... with a variety of rate 6 to rate 12
> > > spells, or a base cost 500, restricted, skill (assume you meant
> > > assassination for the autocrit skill), you feel the bow is justified.
> > 
> > I'll take my chances against an assassin, he has to hit, make his skill,
> > and roll well on the crit.  My chances against the divine word aren't
> > so good, and can reach just as far.
> >
> 
> OK, so now the bow is better than a 500 bc res skill? 

Nooo...read what I said.  I'll take my chances with the assassin over
my chances with the divine word.  There are many more chances of error
in the assassination than the 6d6 check that isn't stressable.

> 
> > have more headaches from what that character can do otherwise beyond
> > being unskilled with a bow.  He'd STILL have to find someone to train
> > him to use the thing, or research it.
> >
> So are the ranges being cut, or the x2 option dropped?  Otherwise, he just
> doesn't fire as fast as someone with skill, and can't jostle for a better
> shot.

Dunno, noone has written anything else up, just bandied stuff back and
forth.

> 
> > Also, as far as starting combats at 720 feet? What? thats a crock to
> > think it'll happen ever time, or even commonly.  720 is a ways, and
> > the average combat starts at 200 or less, ususally less.  I've in game
> 
> Which would put it at 40 ft BEYOND the max range on a previously existing
> bow ... that is 125% bow range.
> 
> assuming the 40 ft is a flat addition combat range would begin 760 ft
> assuming it was 125% bow range, 900 ft

No, thats an invalid assumption.  Ship combats begin at 10+miles, thats
well beyond combat range of any weapon.  Indoor combats begin at less.
Sorry, combats begin when people see each other and decide its a
good idea to kill the other guy.  The 'seeing' each other is the big
key here, that is up to the GM.

> 
> > had a bow capable of shooting 700' before at a d6+3 damage.  The _ONLY_
> > times I got to use it were in ship battles, and when the bad guy
> 
> (Homer Simpson voice)
> Mmmmm, Ambush skill

Ambushes begin at less than 40' so warriors could quickly get into melee,
and then use those free rounds of combat to buzz the enemy apart.


> 
> > was running away.  Combats just do not start that close, and for ship ones
> > they always grabbed cover behind barrels, masts, etc... so the only
> > guy I could really shoot at was the guy at the wheel.  And he after the
> 
> Defer ... Fireball, but go after the artillery, first ...
> 	  Torch, but go after the sails, or flaming arrows W/O defer
> 	  Demolish, and damn near anything

Fireballs don't set fires.  Flaming arrows and flame will.
I didn't have access to that, but I still don't see your point here.


> 
> > 1st shot got the idea of having some friends get some cover for him.
> > Actors aren't dumb, they will take cover just like players will if they
> > are getting plinked at from a long ways away.
> >
> 
> Ground combat solution to this, multiple people with range weapons,
> surrounding (i.e. with various firing angles) the target.
> 
> Tough to find cover from ALL directions

Run such a fight, the party got out of it, and I had 40 archers.

Wright