When a creature is reduced to 0 hp by the epic shard, they are instantly slain in whatever epic/gory/thanos snap way the DM sees fit.
DM Note:
give to players early in the game, not gamebreaking. see not on the epic blade for more info on the epic shard
The Epic Blade -- magic greatsword, artifact
The epic blade is a 20-foot long golden broadsword. It requires a strength score of 20 to use. While it cannot hit anything smaller than the broad side of a barn, it will destroy that barn. As such, it is a +5 greatsword that can only target creatures or objects of size huge or larger.
DM note:
DO NOT include if the boss is an ancient dragon. This can ONLY be obtained if an epic shard is placed on the epic altar (presumably atop an epic mountain, whatever makes sense in game), and is struck by lightning, either normal or magical. Then it rises into the air and there is a transformation sequence. Presumably put some runes on the epic shard to hint at getting struck by lightning and being atop the epic altar.
_____________________________
If enough people like this sort of thing I will post more.
Obviously, a DM who would use these also has control over how they get used in fringe circumstances, but I would worry about an NPC using the Shard against a PC, or a PC using it against another PC.
Outright slaying bypasses a number of monster defenses like Troll Regeneration, and is most frequently seen with Finger of Death, Power Word Kill, and other such high level effects. Even though it might be more narrative than mechanical in most cases, that trait may warrant a greater level of rarity.
Does The Epic Blade outright destroy whatever it hits? Bypassing damage?
Would it destroy a mountain, continent, or planet?
Artifacts are artifacts, but something like that seems far too open-ended to safely add to a campaign.
Obviously, a DM who would use these also has control over how they get used in fringe circumstances, but I would worry about an NPC using the Shard against a PC, or a PC using it against another PC.
Outright slaying bypasses a number of monster defenses like Troll Regeneration, and is most frequently seen with Finger of Death, Power Word Kill, and other such high level effects. Even though it might be more narrative than mechanical in most cases, that trait may warrant a greater level of rarity.
Does The Epic Blade outright destroy whatever it hits? Bypassing damage?
Would it destroy a mountain, continent, or planet?
Artifacts are artifacts, but something like that seems far too open-ended to safely add to a campaign.
No the epic blade does not instantly destory things, but a +5 bonus to attack and damage is going to make a dent especially when a 20 in strength is literally required to use it.
I felt that by having the bypass death saves make it uncommon was enough rarity compensation already, but apparently not. I agree that the epic sword is overpowered, and likely should not be included in many campaigns without careful consideration. Also, DMs who include it as a joke will want to note its massive size. Making a dungeon door too small to fit it through or the guards not letting them in with such a huge weapon nerfs it to much lower levels of brokenly OP.
The Epic Blade may follow the Uncommon(+1)/Rare(+2)/Very Rare(+3) pattern, but that already has diminishing returns baked in. With the additional limitations, it's actually very underpowered for its rarity when compared to the Vorpal Sword(Legendary) or any other Artifact. (The highest official monster AC is the Tarrasque with 25, so there is also a practical limit to attack bonuses.)
As a joke item, it's great. Epic bonus and totally impractical. Would be fun to give to a player who can almost use it, and watch them try to drag it around for 4 levels.
The Epic Shard -- magic longsword, uncommon
When a creature is reduced to 0 hp by the epic shard, they are instantly slain in whatever epic/gory/thanos snap way the DM sees fit.
DM Note:
give to players early in the game, not gamebreaking. see not on the epic blade for more info on the epic shard
The Epic Blade -- magic greatsword, artifact
The epic blade is a 20-foot long golden broadsword. It requires a strength score of 20 to use. While it cannot hit anything smaller than the broad side of a barn, it will destroy that barn. As such, it is a +5 greatsword that can only target creatures or objects of size huge or larger.
DM note:
DO NOT include if the boss is an ancient dragon. This can ONLY be obtained if an epic shard is placed on the epic altar (presumably atop an epic mountain, whatever makes sense in game), and is struck by lightning, either normal or magical. Then it rises into the air and there is a transformation sequence. Presumably put some runes on the epic shard to hint at getting struck by lightning and being atop the epic altar.
_____________________________
If enough people like this sort of thing I will post more.
Proud poster on the Create a World thread
Obviously, a DM who would use these also has control over how they get used in fringe circumstances, but I would worry about an NPC using the Shard against a PC, or a PC using it against another PC.
Outright slaying bypasses a number of monster defenses like Troll Regeneration, and is most frequently seen with Finger of Death, Power Word Kill, and other such high level effects. Even though it might be more narrative than mechanical in most cases, that trait may warrant a greater level of rarity.
Does The Epic Blade outright destroy whatever it hits? Bypassing damage?
Would it destroy a mountain, continent, or planet?
Artifacts are artifacts, but something like that seems far too open-ended to safely add to a campaign.
No the epic blade does not instantly destory things, but a +5 bonus to attack and damage is going to make a dent especially when a 20 in strength is literally required to use it.
I felt that by having the bypass death saves make it uncommon was enough rarity compensation already, but apparently not. I agree that the epic sword is overpowered, and likely should not be included in many campaigns without careful consideration. Also, DMs who include it as a joke will want to note its massive size. Making a dungeon door too small to fit it through or the guards not letting them in with such a huge weapon nerfs it to much lower levels of brokenly OP.
Proud poster on the Create a World thread
Ok, phew. [Excessive Analysis redacted]
The Epic Blade may follow the Uncommon(+1)/Rare(+2)/Very Rare(+3) pattern, but that already has diminishing returns baked in. With the additional limitations, it's actually very underpowered for its rarity when compared to the Vorpal Sword(Legendary) or any other Artifact. (The highest official monster AC is the Tarrasque with 25, so there is also a practical limit to attack bonuses.)
As a joke item, it's great. Epic bonus and totally impractical. Would be fun to give to a player who can almost use it, and watch them try to drag it around for 4 levels.