20 replies to this topic

[Feanor]

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 ?

[Kish]

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.

[NiGHTMARE]

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.

[Zandilar]

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).

[NiGHTMARE]

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.

[Zandilar]

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.

[Xander77]

Where's Impact from? I never saw it?

[Zandilar]

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.

[Feanor]

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

[Archmage Silver]

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

[Feanor]

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 ?

[Archmage Silver]

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?

[Eclipse]

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.

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

[Archmage Silver]

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!

[Eclipse]

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.

[Xander77]

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)....

[Stone Wolf]

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...

[Xander77]

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...

[Stone Wolf]

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.