DMG 3rd Edition error + Weapon creation Q.

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I was writing up another character (sudden burst of inspiration ) and looked at page 244, creating weapons. There it says, and I quote: "A magic weapon must have at least a +1 enhancement bonus to have any of the abilities listed on table 8-15: Weapon Special Abilities. A character can't create for example, simply a keen rapier. A keen rapier needs an enhancement bonus of at least +1"

Hello? 'Keen' is for slashing weapons only! You can't create a keen rapier, ever, as it is a piercing weapon. (As stated in table 8-15 on page 185)

Related to that, I'd love a Keen scimitar, but I can't use that with Weapon Finesse, because a scimitar isn't a light weapon for a medium sized creature. So:
1) Can one make a mithril scimitar?
2) How much would that cost?
3) Since mithril is lighter than simple steel, what would it's weight be?
4) And can a medium sized creature use Weapon Finesse with a Mithril Scimitar? (since it's lighter than a normal scimitar)

 

As I recall, Weapon Finesse applies to small weapons, not light ones. I think that if the weapon is at least one size category smaller than the wielder, Weapon Finesse should apply. The rapier is the exception to this rule as it was designed to be used with a high degree of dexterity.

As far as your other questions go, I don't know. Go fish.

 

Found the answers to #1 and 3 myself already, should've looked better.

1) yes, see page 243 "nonarmor or nonshield items made from mithral weigh half as much as the same item made from other metals."
3) Half the normal weight, i.e. 2 lbs.

About size, a light lance is a whole lot bigger than a scimitar, yet it is in the small category, thus allowing it to be used with WF... Doesn't really make sense to me.

 

A weapon is considered 'light' if it is one size smaller then your character. A small weapon is 'light' for a medium character, and a tiny weapon is 'light' for a small character.
So, to sum up the answer for question #4; no, you can't use Weapon Finesse on a scimitar, because it is not 'light' (unless you play a large character). 'Light' has nothing to do with the weight of the weapon.

 

Actuallly, the keen effect can be applied to piercing weapons now, as per the DMG errata (Bwahahaha... Keen flaming burst heavy picks).

A mithral scimitar costs 500 gp times how many pounds it weighs. As far as I know, you can't apply Weapon Finesse to the scimitar, even if it's made of mithral. Weapon Finesse doesn't really work out realistically if you apply weight instead of size.

 

Well, if you ask me, the size system is flawed. A light lance is 1.5 times larger than a scimitar, but it's considered small size.

And mithral? Tomato Tomato

 

Great! now i know what weapon i'll be using with my druid

Havent thought of creating a keen scimitar before that.
Just let me get something straight:

Scimitar has critical range 18,19,20 (3)
keen scimitar has 15,16,17,18,19,20 (6)
and keen with improved critical has 11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 (9)


I dont know is this correct?

 

Eaoch! THat is going to be hard to beat. You are going to kick ass.

 

Nope, that is not correct.

A keen scimitar with the improved critical feat has a critical threat range of 9-20. Lucky guy!

[ June 10, 2003, 14:45: Message edited by: Alexander the Great ]

 

You either made a typo, or you are just rambling.

This is also wrong. The number nine is correct, but your threat range would be 12-20. (You should have counted better )

 

Uhm... yeah, thats why i have maths 2

Cant even count well


Thats gonna rock i think! I wouldnt even need a high attack bonus this way. IIRC when scoring a critical hit you *always* hit, no matter the opponents AC(true?).

What about the reroll there after? What if i throw 17 (another critical hit)? Do i get another x2 to original damage?

If that's so this would be invincible 40%(i think its 40%(12-20)) of automatic hit + 40% of double damage + another 40% every roll after doubling (again) the damage.


How does this work then?

 

This is true, but you don't have a critical hit yet. If a druid with a scimitar, rolls (for example) 19, it is a critical threat. This means there is a possibility that you get a critical hit. The next roll you make, is another attack roll. If you 'hit', it is a critical hit, if you 'miss', it isn't actually a miss, but you deal normal damage. If you roll (for example) 19 again, it doesn't mean anything. The next roll you make is to determine damage, if you made a critical hit you multiply the damage done by 2 (or 3 sometimes).

 

I wrote it a bit confusion it seems.

Lets say i'm a druid with improved critical and a keen scimitar. Critical range is 12-20 and scores x2 damage. No attack roll modifiers.

No i come to a monster and i roll 13. That means i hit no matter what AC the monster has. Then i roll another to hit roll to see if i actually deal out double damage... if i fail i hit the monster doing normal damage. If i succeed i hit tha monster for double damage.
Now, here's the catchy part:
What if i roll another critical when i'm rolling for double damage(second roll). What happens then? Do i get another double damage?

 

As far as I know, no. Then you could be able to keep on critting dozens of times if you roll halfway decent with that keen scimitar

 

wrong, you only, and I mean ONLY always hit on a natural 20. If you roll 13, which is within your critical threat area, but the monster has AC 14, then you miss.

From the book
PHB, p.123 second column
Increased Threat Range: Sometimes your threat range is greater than 20. That is, you can score a threat on a lower number. Longswords, for isntance, give you the threat on a natural attack roll of 19 or 20. In such cases, a roll below 20 is not an automatic hit. Any attack roll that doesn't result in a hit is not a threat.

 

Yes, well i may be a little sad but in fact i'm glad that is so.
It really would be grandly(!) unfair to hit more surely with a elven sorcerer(rapier18-20) than a fighter

But its still cool to have such a number


Another question though... Does weapon weight mean anything else then heavier load? Lets say you have a steel warhammer. That weights a lot. And if you get yourself a mithral(or something alike) which weights less, does it do any difference?

[ June 10, 2003, 19:31: Message edited by: Gothmog4230 ]

 

a thing that can be confusing is that light hasn't anything to do with weight.


PHB, p.97 first column

Light: If the weapon's size category is smaller than yours (such as a human using a Small weapon), then the weapon is light for you. Light weapons are easier to use your off hand, and you can use them while grappling. You can use a light weapon in one hand. You get no special bonuses when using it in two hands.


so what does it mean? well it means that a halfling can't use weapon finesse feat on a short sword among others, and it means that mithral or no mithral sword wont change it's size category.
Light is referring to size, not weight.

that's the rules, now for good sportsmanship.
It's a good idea, and since finesse and weight are related when thinking of two weapons of the same size but different weight (rapier and scimitar), then a mithral equal would be able to recieve the finesse feat as well (in my opinion).
You should suggest this to the DM, and refer to the two instances and ask if you could have that weapon being used as a finesse weapon, if it doesn't interfere with the DM's opinion on a balanced game.