Torch (weapon hand for damage)

[dergon darkhelm]

Torches that could be equipped in the weapon hand to bash things (by "things" I mostly mean trolls) with would be cool.

How hard would it be to make a torch as a club that is flaming with light and does like 1d4-3 +1 fire dmg or something?

[hollyfant]

As "improvised weapons" they'd have to take -4 to their attack rolls, but should otherwise act the same as clubs. A 1d6 fire bonus without any base damage would be nice, but I'm not sure the engine allows for that.

The real drawback would be that this torch would really be a club acting like a torch and not a torch acting like a club. It would be wielded in characters' right hand or impose dual wielding penalties for instance.

A "flaming club" torch would require:

• An exemption from the pricing rules on weapons - it's not a club, it's a torch.
• A clear identification as to what it is and how it works - in many situations a "real" torch would be preferable.
• A hefty penalty on its attack bonus and base damage - it's a torch, not a club.
• Limited actual fire damage - it's not a flaming club, it's déjà vu.

[Brokenbone]

There were some filthy messed up scripts for troll burning when you had a torch in your hand in NWN1.

But back to the point, using a torch as a weapon may well look somewhat like a touch attack, mightn't it? If you poke someone with a torch, especially if that someone's a troll, you might not care much about certain elements of their AC. Fire hurts, due to proximity and then possibly igniting. Different than "does this sword penetrate armor/hide"?

[dergon darkhelm]

I like what you're thinking.

A melee touch attack with no intrinsic dmg for the "wood" part but only fire damage. I'd keep the amount of fire damage low like maybe 1d3 or 1d4

[hollyfant]

/me dons his PGer cap.

I would love a weapon that qualifies as a touch attack - ignoring shields, mails, natural armour and what have you not - even if it did only one point of damage. Warlocks still have to face an Attack of Opportunity when using theirs, and don't get to add their Strength bonus. I'm thinking: Power Attacking Berserker Two Handed Torchbearer.

/me takes his PGer cap off again.

You know guys, making it a touch attack would not be that great an idea.

[SwordSaintMusashi]

I don't have the book on hand, but I believe in Dungeonscape they had rules for using a torch as a weapon (And even had a style for using a sword and torch in tandem for dual wielding). Would look mighty cool, regardless.

[Brokenbone]

The Dungeonscape bit was a Feat (page 47):



You'll note that this means if you hit with your melee weapon, you're assumed to automatically ALSO hit with your torch and do the fire + dazzle effects. Or if you're stupid enough to use something flameless (Sunrod), at least dazzle effects. Again though, spending a feat is a "BIG DEAL" as we all know.

I am unaware of any rules on what a featless dude stabbing at people with a torch would be subject to. Maybe improvised weapon rules, so -4 to attack (nonproficient), and consider a torch as something close to a club or sap maybe (1d6 or 1d4 bludgeon?), and tack maybe a point of fire damage on it. Maybe take inspiration from the feat and give a chance of "dazzling" (jeez, can't remember what it does, although it's less severe a status than blindness), or maybe not, on assumption to feat teaches you to "GO FOR THE EYES (BOO)!"

[SwordSaintMusashi]

"Dazzled

The creature is unable to see well because of overstimulation of the eyes. A dazzled creature takes a -1 penalty on attack rolls, Search checks, and Spot checks. "

That'll show 'em.

Improvised Weapon, 1d6 club damage (1d4 for small creatures), +1 fire damage seems like it would be the way to go.