4 réponses à ce sujet

[PJ156]

I just decided to arm my ranger with a sling for a bit of variety and find myself wondering why I have not used this weapon before?

Is this assesment right or am I missing something obvious?

Downsides:

The base damage is average 2 point whereas a short bow is 3 and a longbow 4.
Rapid and improved rapid shot don't work on slings. Nor manyshot I guess?

Upsides:

You can use a sheild with a sling.
You can apply your full damage bonus and you are not limited to the mighty rating of the weapon.
A +1 sling is +1 to hit and damage where a +1 bow is +1 to hit.

So a level 1 character with 14 strength and a potion of strength can crack out 1d4 +4(6) damage rather then a d8(4) with a long bow and a d6(3) with a short bow. A character with 18 strength and a +3 sling and a bulls strength potion would do 1d4 +6(str) +3(sling), average 11 but with a composite LB (mighty +3) would do 1D8 +3 Avg 7  regardless of the potion.

I guess having the extra shots due to rapid shot etc will give more chances to do the lesser damage.

Slings have the range of magical bullets that bows do so the damage enhancements from the missle is equivalent.

So what am I missing? Do I put down my bow and pick up my sling. Certainly at low level it seems a sensible choice and it does not seem a bad one at high level either ?

PJ

[Lugaid of the Red Stripes]

There's range (50' vs. 100' for longbows and 60' for short), and the critical (x2 vs. x3). Other than that, maybe it's just that bows are better for dex builds, and sling/thrown for strength builds.

[PJ156]

I had not considered criticals properly I gues that is going to make a difference.

Range rarely makes too much difference. I guess that depends on the module, in yours it certainly would

PJ

[Dann-J]

Rapid shot works with slings. I've created the warsling sniper prestige class in a module I'm working on. My halfling ranger/ws-sniper companion turns into a bullet-slinging dynamo when Rapid Shot is engaged. Especially when using skiprock ammunition.

I also have a halfing cleric/stormlord companion who uses Rapid Shot with electrified shuriken.

[Arkalezth]

Also:

- Halflings get a +1 AB with slings.
- (AFAIK) Arcane archers only work with bows.

Those may be irrelevant in your case, but worth mentioning anyway. It depends on the level, the build, and the available shields.