Tell me, what are your thoughts on an item that allows a player to choose to attack at disadvantage in exchange for dealing max damage if the blow lands? For example, "a special hand crossbow can be tighten down on it's cord, but the extra power makes it unstable."
Why? I've got a player wrecking my low level monsters because he's trying to maximize damage and action economy. He's doing it quite well and that's fine, I believe his character fits into the rules of the game....would this item be severely underpowered or overpowered? I want to give him the chance to get stronger (that's all he wants), but I want him to struggle a little bit too. Thoughts?
Tell me, what are your thoughts on an item that allows a player to choose to attack at disadvantage in exchange for dealing max damage if the blow lands? For example, "a special hand crossbow can be tighten down on it's cord, but the extra power makes it unstable."
Why? I've got a player wrecking my low level monsters because he's trying to maximize damage and action economy. He's doing it quite well and that's fine, I believe his character fits into the rules of the game....would this item be severely underpowered or overpowered? I want to give him the chance to get stronger (that's all he wants), but I want him to struggle a little bit too. Thoughts?
I think a player like that would only use such an item when they're getting advantage on the attack from another source, to cancel out the disadvantage but still deal max damage
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Disadvantage is the equivalent to -5 to hit. If they're good, they'll find ways around it - even if you mandate that they must be at disadvantage for it to work. Then you'll have someone who is hitting at full damage with every hit. I think not only will you be in a worse situation than before, but they'll be losing a part of the game too.
Personally, I'd buff enemies, have them hear of his reputation and so target him more often, and so forth. Find ways to make the world more dangerous for your player.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
If we are talking hand crossbow and max damage only applies to the weapons damage roll, the damage boost is fairly small for having disadvantage imo.
I think a hand crossbow is a d6 right? Making the average roll 3.5.. making the average boost to Max damage 2.5.. assuming disadvantage is roughly -5 to hit.. so -5 to hit for 2.5 average damage boost.. that seems very weak to me.
Compare it with the -5 / +10 from sharpshooter..
Now if the max damage applies to all damage triggered by the attack, hex, spirit shroud ect.. then it's probably too exploitable
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Tell me, what are your thoughts on an item that allows a player to choose to attack at disadvantage in exchange for dealing max damage if the blow lands? For example, "a special hand crossbow can be tighten down on it's cord, but the extra power makes it unstable."
Why? I've got a player wrecking my low level monsters because he's trying to maximize damage and action economy. He's doing it quite well and that's fine, I believe his character fits into the rules of the game....would this item be severely underpowered or overpowered? I want to give him the chance to get stronger (that's all he wants), but I want him to struggle a little bit too. Thoughts?
I'd just let him pick up GWM/Sharpshooter when he reaches an appropriate level.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I think a player like that would only use such an item when they're getting advantage on the attack from another source, to cancel out the disadvantage but still deal max damage
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
That's an excellent point. He would definitely exploit that. Thanks for the assist!
Disadvantage is the equivalent to -5 to hit. If they're good, they'll find ways around it - even if you mandate that they must be at disadvantage for it to work. Then you'll have someone who is hitting at full damage with every hit. I think not only will you be in a worse situation than before, but they'll be losing a part of the game too.
Personally, I'd buff enemies, have them hear of his reputation and so target him more often, and so forth. Find ways to make the world more dangerous for your player.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
If we are talking hand crossbow and max damage only applies to the weapons damage roll, the damage boost is fairly small for having disadvantage imo.
I think a hand crossbow is a d6 right? Making the average roll 3.5.. making the average boost to Max damage 2.5.. assuming disadvantage is roughly -5 to hit.. so -5 to hit for 2.5 average damage boost.. that seems very weak to me.
Compare it with the -5 / +10 from sharpshooter..
Now if the max damage applies to all damage triggered by the attack, hex, spirit shroud ect.. then it's probably too exploitable