Making a base level Greatbow and need some feedback. My first attempt was unfortunately rejected, so I believe some further balancing may be required. Any help would be very much appreciated by this newbie!
Weapon (longbow), uncommon
Used most often by Giant-kin, this massive bow stands taller than most with a heft unlike other bows. Made from a dense wood of high altitude, the bend and snap of the bow require the wielder to have either greater strength or stature most simply do not posses.
Goliath's who have been found wielding these magnificent weapons, believed to have been traded for with the giant's or perhaps taken as trophy after battle with a slave-lord.
Proficiency with a longbow allows you to add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll for any attack you make with it.
Notes: Damage: Piercing, Disadvantage: Ranged Attacks, This bow's substantial size necessitates the use of specialized greatarrows. Weighs 15 lbs., Ammunition, Heavy, Range, Two-Handed
The Disadvantage has a note of only being for 10 feet or less of distance to target. The Greatarrows mentioned have been approved as a wondrous item.
I believe it may. I am still learning so that is a bit difficult for me to decide on. Rather not put something ridiculous on the high or low side. I was thinking something around either 14 or 15?
All right. I think maybe a 13 STR requirement then. Not quite as unruly as Plate armor, but still heavy enough to need to pass a check. Is there anything else in the description that may raise red flags? Should I be detailing these things in the description? Or removing flavor text.
a real longbow already requires you to draw around 80 pound up to 120 or more. Carrying Plate needs "just" 65lbs compared to that. If you want to introduce a greatbow, which certainly goes beyond longbows, 13 strenght is not enough..
Nice idea, however mechanically it doesn't work quite the way you intend - the short version of this is, the homebrew system currently doesn't cater for what you want to do, so this isn't you making mistakes.
You added a modifier: Proficiency with Ability Checks: Strength value of 13. Mechanically, what this does is grant the wielder strength checks with a roll of 1d20 +13.
I believe what you're after is imposing a minimum strength requirement for the user of the bow? There is a field for this, but currently that field is only valid for Armour.
You might also consider adding the Heavy property to the weapon.
TL;DR - I'll add a suggestion to the list that homebrew should allow the creation of new weapons and/or change of standard weapon properties.
I see what you mean. Had trouble finding some information and seeing as longbows do not have a strength requirement it was a bit difficult.
Re-examining it I may go with a plate armor 15 requirement as it has little reference other than weight on other "great" weapons and strength reqs on armors.
I'll be sure to put together a more thoroughly researched and well-balanced item in the future.
Hello,
Making a base level Greatbow and need some feedback. My first attempt was unfortunately rejected, so I believe some further balancing may be required. Any help would be very much appreciated by this newbie!
The Disadvantage has a note of only being for 10 feet or less of distance to target. The Greatarrows mentioned have been approved as a wondrous item.
Is it supposed to have a minimum Str?
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
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I believe it may. I am still learning so that is a bit difficult for me to decide on. Rather not put something ridiculous on the high or low side. I was thinking something around either 14 or 15?
15 matches plate armor. Certain lesser armors require 13.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
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All right. I think maybe a 13 STR requirement then. Not quite as unruly as Plate armor, but still heavy enough to need to pass a check. Is there anything else in the description that may raise red flags? Should I be detailing these things in the description? Or removing flavor text.
Approved! Thanks for the input. Big help! :)
a real longbow already requires you to draw around 80 pound up to 120 or more. Carrying Plate needs "just" 65lbs compared to that. If you want to introduce a greatbow, which certainly goes beyond longbows, 13 strenght is not enough..
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D&D Beyond FoundersHiya,
I just had a quick look at your bow.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/7769-greatbow
Nice idea, however mechanically it doesn't work quite the way you intend - the short version of this is, the homebrew system currently doesn't cater for what you want to do, so this isn't you making mistakes.
You added a modifier: Proficiency with Ability Checks: Strength value of 13. Mechanically, what this does is grant the wielder strength checks with a roll of 1d20 +13.
I believe what you're after is imposing a minimum strength requirement for the user of the bow? There is a field for this, but currently that field is only valid for Armour.
You might also consider adding the Heavy property to the weapon.
TL;DR - I'll add a suggestion to the list that homebrew should allow the creation of new weapons and/or change of standard weapon properties.
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If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
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I see what you mean. Had trouble finding some information and seeing as longbows do not have a strength requirement it was a bit difficult.
Re-examining it I may go with a plate armor 15 requirement as it has little reference other than weight on other "great" weapons and strength reqs on armors.
I'll be sure to put together a more thoroughly researched and well-balanced item in the future.
Thanks for the feedback and quick lesson!
Okay, that makes a whole lot of sense! I had assumed that it was user error. That I had missed something somewhere.
I had originally intended to have the Heavy property and the Special property added, but clearly let that slip away.
I will compile a more detailed version and apply it should the feature be added.
Thank you!