Change weapon for thrown weapons?

[kommisar]

Does a character throwing a first weapon need to spend a turn "changing weapons" to throw a second weapon?   Does a missile weapon user (i.e. bow) need to spend a turn "changing weapons" in order to fire again?

[nukesnipe]

Jan 15, 2018 18:43:04 GMT -5 kommisar said:

Does a character throwing a first weapon need to spend a turn "changing weapons" to throw a second weapon?   Does a missile weapon user (i.e. bow) need to spend a turn "changing weapons" in order to fire again?

Kommisar,

I'm a bit rusty and don't have the rules in front of me, but here goes....

Each character gets one attack per turn, so you can throw one thing at a time. After you throw it, your hand is empty and needs to be "refilled" with a weapon, so you will need to ready a new weapon during the turn following the turn you throw the first weapon. Consequently, you can throw a weapon every other turn.

Bows are a bit different in that you can draw an arrow and shoot it in the same turn.

For instance, assume you have a archer armed with a bow and sword. Across the map is an enemy armed with an ax and a shield, with a second ax on his belt. Ax Man decides to charge Archer to minimize the number of arrows that will be shot at him before he reaches melee range. On the first turn, Ax Man moves toward Archer; Archer shoots an arrow. On the second turn, Ax Man again moves toward Archer to close the range; Archer shoots another arrow.

At the beginning of the third turn, Ax Man realizes he does not have enough movement to completely close the gap between him and Archer this turn, but he will next turn. However, he can move close enough to throw his ax with a reasonable chance of a hit. So, he has some options: (1) continue to move toward Archer, or (2) move toward Archer and throw an ax. Say he takes the second option, moves and throws his ax. Archer shoots his third arrow.

The beginning of the fourth turn finds Ax man with an empty hand and an ax on his belt, while Archer still has his bow at the ready. Both have decisions to make. Ax Man can either stand still and ready his second ax, or, he can close the remaining distance and attempt to tackle Archer. If Ax Man moves first, Archer will still have time to make one more shot with his bow.

Archer also has a couple of options to consider. He can take his another shot at Ax Man and risk being tackled and grappling bare handed with Ax Man, or he can drop his bow and ready his sword in anticipation of Ax Man standing still and readying his ax.

If Ax Man were to stand still and ready his ax on the fourth turn and Archer opts to shoot again, Archer is setting himself up for the fifth turn of not having a melee weapon ready if Ax Man were to successfully close the distance. Archer would be able to shoot at Ax Man in counterattack, but would have to spend the sixth turn readying his sword while Ax Man hacks away.

Kind of a longish answer to your question, but I hope it helps.

[mister frau blucher]

Hey, kommisar,

Welcome to the boards!

As you can see from our rules, there are grey areas and room for differing interpretations. This is a feature or a bug, depending on your perspective!

I play things a bit differently than Nukesnipe does, though he is not really wrong. He hews a little closer to the Melee base than I have.

As far as the first question, the "Change Weapons" section on page 3 says: "A character takes a turn to change or pick up a weapon. He cannot move in this turn." When you look on Page 1 under Character's Turn, it says: "A character may move up to his MA (movement allowance), which is half his DX rounded down. He may then execute ONE action."

The way I read this, a character has a Turn; he may move and then act. But if he changes weapons, that "takes a turn" so he cannot move or act; changing weapons is his whole turn.

Now, a bow does not need to "change weapons" to reload an arrow. You are not changing weapons. But a crossbow does take an extra turn to reload, as spelled out on the weapons table.

This is how I do it; Nukesnipe plays it a little different, and I can understand that. If you prefer his way, play it that way! I play a few things differently from what is "official" so you have my permission to play what makes you happy!

Bret

[nukesnipe]

Jan 17, 2018 19:40:21 GMT -5 mister frau blucher said:

This is how I do it; Nukesnipe plays it a little different, and I can understand that. If you prefer his way, play it that way! I play a few things differently from what is "official" so you have my permission to play what makes you happy!

Bret

I admit I was working from memory on this one (I'd forgotten the LAW rules were online). I do tend to confuse the LAW and Melee rules....

[kommisar]

Thanks for the answers! So to follow up, I can fire a bow every turn because loading an arrow does not require a change weapons. Conversely, If I have a half dozen daggers, I can throw one every other turn because I must "change weapons" to "reload" a dagger. Right?

[nukesnipe]

Jan 19, 2018 22:06:56 GMT -5 kommisar said:

Thanks for the answers! So to follow up, I can fire a bow every turn because loading an arrow does not require a change weapons. Conversely, If I have a half dozen daggers, I can throw one every other turn because I must "change weapons" to "reload" a dagger. Right?

That's my take on the rules.

[mister frau blucher]

Hey, kommisar, that is right!