There is 0 chance I would let a character carry one around. As for how they work. Per the DMG
Ballista
Large object
Armor Class: 15
Hit Points: 50
Damage Immunities: poison, psychic
A ballista is a massive crossbow that fires heavy bolts. Before it can be fired, it must be loaded and aimed. It takes one action to load the weapon, one action to aim it, and one action to fire it.
Bolt.Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 120/480 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d10) piercing damage.
Cannon
Large object
Armor Class: 19
Hit Points: 75
Damage Immunities: poison, psychic
A cannon uses gunpowder to propel heavy balls of cast iron through the air at destructive speeds. In a campaign without gunpowder, a cannon might be an arcane device built by clever gnomes or wizardly engineers.
A cannon is usually supported in a wooden frame with wheels. Before it can be fired, the cannon must be loaded and aimed. It takes one action to load the weapon, one action to aim it, and one action to fire it.
Cannon Ball.Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 600/2,400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10) bludgeoning damage.
I noticed a player carrying a weaker version of the cannon around in-game. It was about 1/4 as powerful as the cannon listed above, but it still really tore threw almost anything that failed a DEX saving throw. I don't think I would allow that in my game either, except perhaps as a ranged weapon with disadvantage on hitting anything that isn't a Huge or larger unless it was supported by at least 4 people.
I noticed a player carrying a weaker version of the cannon around in-game. It was about 1/4 as powerful as the cannon listed above, but it still really tore threw almost anything that failed a DEX saving throw. I don't think I would allow that in my game either, except perhaps as a ranged weapon with disadvantage on hitting anything that isn't a Huge or larger unless it was supported by at least 4 people.
A man-portable version of a cannon would be a firearm, for which there are already rules available :)
Both ballista and cannon normally require some setting up to ensure they are stable on the ground before they can be fired.
Trying to find the loading speed for a Cannon and a Ballista.
Is this in the DMG somewhere? Also, what are the ranges of these weapons?
Lastly, would you allow a high Strength character to carry around one of these things and use it?
About 2 a minute for old naval guns. Put them somewhere around there, so once every 5 rounds. If you want to make them fire faster then do what you want for your game. If you are trying for more accuracy Google the exact type of gun you want.
Lastly, would you allow a high Strength character to carry around one of these things and use it?
in an open field? sure if that really floats their boat....but in a dungeon, through the woods, or indoors anywhere? not without partial disassembly/assembly...say 10 minutes each. And then only fired from a flat surface.
There is 0 chance I would let a character carry one around.
I can imagine fantasy games where that's perfectly reasonable, though it's not a game style that has good support in 5th edition (it doesn't seem practical for anything smaller than Huge, and 5e doesn't have anything equivalent to Savage Species from 3e).
Lastly, would you allow a high Strength character to carry around one of these things and use it?
in an open field? sure if that really floats their boat....but in a dungeon, through the woods, or indoors anywhere? not without partial disassembly/assembly...say 10 minutes each. And then only fired from a flat surface.
If they could hire an ogre to carry the cannon, sure. But keeping him fed and not eating townsfolk good luck.
I did allow a pc to carry a Ballista due to giant strength girdle but it took up a 10 by 10 space and I gave the monsters advantage or +5 to their perception score. He talked two other pcs in help firing it. But it was Dungeon of the Mad Mage so it kind of fitted in.
I think it would be sick if someone carried one around or on a ship or something and it wouldn't be a practical weapon but if you need to blow down the doors of a castle or fight a giant by supprise it would be super cool
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Trying to find the loading speed for a Cannon and a Ballista.
Is this in the DMG somewhere? Also, what are the ranges of these weapons?
Lastly, would you allow a high Strength character to carry around one of these things and use it?
There is 0 chance I would let a character carry one around. As for how they work.
Per the DMG
Ballista
Large object
Armor Class: 15
Hit Points: 50
Damage Immunities: poison, psychic
A ballista is a massive crossbow that fires heavy bolts. Before it can be fired, it must be loaded and aimed. It takes one action to load the weapon, one action to aim it, and one action to fire it.
Bolt. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 120/480 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d10) piercing damage.
Cannon
Large object
Armor Class: 19
Hit Points: 75
Damage Immunities: poison, psychic
A cannon uses gunpowder to propel heavy balls of cast iron through the air at destructive speeds. In a campaign without gunpowder, a cannon might be an arcane device built by clever gnomes or wizardly engineers.
A cannon is usually supported in a wooden frame with wheels. Before it can be fired, the cannon must be loaded and aimed. It takes one action to load the weapon, one action to aim it, and one action to fire it.
Cannon Ball. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 600/2,400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10) bludgeoning damage.
Thank you.
I noticed a player carrying a weaker version of the cannon around in-game. It was about 1/4 as powerful as the cannon listed above, but it still really tore threw almost anything that failed a DEX saving throw. I don't think I would allow that in my game either, except perhaps as a ranged weapon with disadvantage on hitting anything that isn't a Huge or larger unless it was supported by at least 4 people.
A man-portable version of a cannon would be a firearm, for which there are already rules available :)
Both ballista and cannon normally require some setting up to ensure they are stable on the ground before they can be fired.
About 2 a minute for old naval guns. Put them somewhere around there, so once every 5 rounds. If you want to make them fire faster then do what you want for your game. If you are trying for more accuracy Google the exact type of gun you want.
https://www.quora.com/How-long-does-it-take-to-reload-a-naval-cannon-during-the-Age-of-Sail-compared-to-a-12-pounder-cannon
in an open field? sure if that really floats their boat....but in a dungeon, through the woods, or indoors anywhere? not without partial disassembly/assembly...say 10 minutes each. And then only fired from a flat surface.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
I can imagine fantasy games where that's perfectly reasonable, though it's not a game style that has good support in 5th edition (it doesn't seem practical for anything smaller than Huge, and 5e doesn't have anything equivalent to Savage Species from 3e).
If they could hire an ogre to carry the cannon, sure. But keeping him fed and not eating townsfolk good luck.
I did allow a pc to carry a Ballista due to giant strength girdle but it took up a 10 by 10 space and I gave the monsters advantage or +5 to their perception score. He talked two other pcs in help firing it. But it was Dungeon of the Mad Mage so it kind of fitted in.
No Gaming is Better than Bad Gaming.
I think it would be sick if someone carried one around or on a ship or something and it wouldn't be a practical weapon but if you need to blow down the doors of a castle or fight a giant by supprise it would be super cool