[3e] Hand Weapons and Magic Weapons

[Verlox]

So I've run across a bit of a snag in the 3rd edition rules, and one that is causing a bit of an uproar in my group. In the weapons section, hand weapons when used mounted against normal sized enemies give a +1 to hit. Everyone likes this. The problem arises when magic weapons are introduced.

So the uproar in my group is due to a rules argument brought in by a new player. Most of us insist that most magic weapons are also hand weapons, and thus get the additional +1 to hit when mounted in addition to their magical effects. This extends also to other weapons, as in we allow magic two handed weapons that give the extra strength, in addition to bought magical effects.

If we had a good majority this wouldn't be a problem, but a sizable minority wants to adhere to "magical effects supersede and replace the effects of mundane weapons" and they also don't want magic weapons other than one handed weapons. The buggers. They feel it gives mounted characters potentially too much power.

So i come to you, oldhammer grognards, to lead my group to the path of truth and fun.

 

[weismonsters]

I would say that magic weapons count as hand weapons and so they should get the +1. I would generally say that they should not be counted as double handed weapons or anything, unless there is some very specific reason. For example in the realm of chaos rulebook it says that chaos weapons are usually swords.

 

[Blue in VT]

The plus one to hit when mounted comes from the fact of you being higher than your opponent, not because you have a hand weapon therefore while magic effects supersede weapon effects they do not supersede the effects of being mounted therefore the weapon should get the plus one.

For the sake of group unity I would let the GM decide and be done with it.

Cheers,

Blue

 

[Dreamfish]

The plus one to hit when mounted comes from the fact of you being higher than your opponent, not because you have a hand weapon therefore while magic effects supersede weapon effects they do not supersede the effects of being mounted therefore the weapon should get the plus one.

For the sake of group unity I would let the GM decide and be done with it.

Cheers,

Blue

I agree with mr Blue. You get the extra bonuses for being mounted, not from the weapon itself.

As for the magic abilities, WA, p. 13 Magical Abilities describes it quite accurately. MA are most common on swords, therefore you can have any number of abilities, the same counts for axes for dwarfs. Choosing any other weapon than a hand weapon has the disadvantage for only being able to apply one ability.

You pay 25 pts (which is pretty high price) for making a weapon magical, plus the extra points for x number of abilities.

Not all weapons may be used when mounted, an extra hand weapon or 2 handed weapons for example.