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Third edition questions


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#1 Feanor

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Posted 15 September 2004 - 12:49 AM

Can anyone tell me what is that keen effect of the weapons in D&D third edition (seen in NWN and IWD2) ? What does it do ?

#2 Kish

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Posted 15 September 2004 - 01:20 AM

It doubles the critical threat range. So a weapon which would normally threaten a critical on a 19 or 20 will threaten a critical on a 17-20.
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#3 NiGHTMARE

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Posted 15 September 2004 - 07:18 AM

In real life times, think of it as the weapon being exceptionally well balanced, i.e. it handles better than most weapons of it's type.

#4 Zandilar

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Posted 15 September 2004 - 10:42 PM

Heya,

In real life times, think of it as the weapon being exceptionally well balanced, i.e. it handles better than most weapons of it's type.


That description could apply more correctly to masterwork weapons. ;) Keen weapons are exceptionally "sharp". The Keen ability can only be applied to piercing or slashing weapons. Bludgeoning weapons have the Impact ability applied to them for the same effect (doubling of critical range). :)

#5 NiGHTMARE

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Posted 16 September 2004 - 05:02 AM

That's what I originally thought, but then I was sure I remembered seeing keen warhammers in IWD2. I guess either my memory's just playing up, or Black Isle made a mistake.

#6 Zandilar

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Posted 16 September 2004 - 02:19 PM

Heya,

That's what I originally thought, but then I was sure I remembered seeing keen warhammers in IWD2.  I guess either my memory's just playing up, or Black Isle made a mistake.


Well you know it's possible that they just had it able to be applied it to all weapons in IWD2, computer games rarely adhere 100% to the rules of the pen and paper game they're based on. I am not sure, it could also be that Impact is a 3.5 revision. But Keen definitely only applies to sharp or pointy weapons. :P

#7 Xander77

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Posted 17 September 2004 - 03:25 AM

Where's Impact from? I never saw it?
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#8 Zandilar

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Posted 17 September 2004 - 04:53 PM

Heya,

Where's Impact from? I never saw it?


I first read about it in Faiths and Pantheons, but I'm pretty sure it's been incorporated into 3.5e... *grabs 3.5e DMG to check*

Okay... It's not in there, but it definitely says that the Keen ability can only be applied to piercing and slashing weapons...

The Impact special ability can be found on page 27 in Faiths and Pantheons, in a side bar under Gond's entry in the book.

Edited by Zandilar, 17 September 2004 - 04:55 PM.


#9 Feanor

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Posted 19 September 2004 - 06:30 AM

Can anyone tell me what effects does have the vorpal ability of the swords in NWN (and the third edition also) ? :huh:

#10 Archmage Silver

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Posted 19 September 2004 - 06:36 AM

It grants the wielder the chance to kill an opponent with a one blow.

#11 Feanor

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Posted 19 September 2004 - 07:54 AM

It grants the wielder the chance to kill an opponent with a one blow.

The same percent as the Silver Sword from BG2 (25% chance for instant kill) ? Does it allow a saving throw ?

#12 Archmage Silver

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Posted 19 September 2004 - 08:01 AM

The percent varies with the weapon. As far as I know, there's no saving throw since it wouldn't be sure kill with a one blow then, or would it?

#13 Eclipse

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Posted 19 September 2004 - 08:24 AM

In Bg2 the Vorpal effect was a % chance of basically casting finger of death on the target (save with a -2 penalty). The idea of no save being allowed wouldn't work IMO since surely it's harder to chop the head off a midget than a giant. :P

And if i had to guess, it'd be a Reflex save in 3E.

#14 Archmage Silver

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Posted 19 September 2004 - 08:32 AM

Hmm. I think it may be the ref. save in 3E but could be fortitude as well.

Marzim the Brave: *clang* Huh?! He didn't die!!!

(helmet protected the head but if the victim had had a lower for. save his neck would have been broken)

Mortdar Bonebreaker "Ironfist": Sure as hell! Now YOU die!

#15 Eclipse

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Posted 19 September 2004 - 08:53 AM

Yeah but the idea of a vorpal blade is that it cuts through just about anything. So if it's swung at your head, doesn't matter how tough you are, the only way you'll survive is if your head isn't there when it arives.

Edited by Eclipse, 19 September 2004 - 08:54 AM.


#16 Xander77

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Posted 19 September 2004 - 09:00 AM

Last that I checked, there's no save against Vorpality. It only works on a crit, and only on not-constructs/undead/whatever not effected by loss of head anyways, and since some nice guy decided it didn't work with Keen (but did work with improved critical)....
Мы должны как раз дать эту хромающую страну к русским. Они awesome! Идет Nader! Кустик и Kerry имеют придурковатые weasels в их кальсонах!

#17 Stone Wolf

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Posted 19 September 2004 - 09:30 AM

It also tends to fail when used against creatures that are on the large side. Dragons have necks that are thicker than a blade is long, so they can't be beheaded either. Still, you'd think severing the jugular and the windpipe would be just as fatal...

#18 Xander77

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Posted 19 September 2004 - 11:16 AM

It also tends to fail when used against creatures that are on the large side. Dragons have necks that are thicker than a blade is long, so they can't be beheaded either

House-rule. Not official. The Jabberwock also presumably had a large neck. I think it's more of a "magic snicker snack" regardless of size difference, then a blade being guided to the neck...
Мы должны как раз дать эту хромающую страну к русским. Они awesome! Идет Nader! Кустик и Kerry имеют придурковатые weasels в их кальсонах!

#19 Stone Wolf

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Posted 19 September 2004 - 02:11 PM

Hmmm, I would have sworn I read something about size making a difference. Maybe I just used that as an explanation for a random-seeming immunity to vorpal weapons.

#20 -Quiet Lurker-

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Posted 19 September 2004 - 06:53 PM

Mmm, I seem to recall vorpal weapons being associated with severing silver cords of creatures in the astral plane.

Two questions if you will: What is the silver cord? And what happens to creatures whose silver cords have been cut?