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Looking for Rules regarding bows and crossbows for the Magic Weapon Power Category. I've been on a range fighter trend lately.

By the main book, the magic weapon can't be one of those because there's no option for it on the table. Personally I'd allow it and I do allow it (one of my players is a hero with the Bow of Artemis). I left all the other options the same and just ruled that part of the transformation included a quiver with basic arrows.

Use the energy blast rules and either attacks per melee or the archery attacks rules.

I also ruled that the arrows did the same damage that was rolled by the weapon, but only the arrows that the transformation provided. Any specialty arrows do their own damage, but will get the +6 to damage if that Magic Weapon option is selected.

Glistam wrote:I also ruled that the arrows did the same damage that was rolled by the weapon, but only the arrows that the transformation provided. Any specialty arrows do their own damage, but will get the +6 to damage if that Magic Weapon option is selected.

So how many arrows did the magic weapon you were dealing with provide with it when transformed into it's usable form?

An unlimited number, because it's magic and I wanted to keep things fast and loose with the game instead of being bogged down by inventory details. If I needed to limit it I'd probably say 20 and that they replenish 1 an hour or something. But also other arrows can be put in amongst the magical ones, and they disappear with the transformation back to normal but aren't lost - they re-appear when re-transformed. They don't automatically replenish, though.

This is the character

Glistam wrote:I also ruled that the arrows did the same damage that was rolled by the weapon, but only the arrows that the transformation provided. Any specialty arrows do their own damage, but will get the +6 to damage if that Magic Weapon option is selected.

Sure, sounds good. Like the build from your next post too. SDC looks a little low, but that fits the concept.

The most cannonical way to do a magic bow magic weapon (that I can think of) would be to take the "Spits Fire" option for the power, and convert it to arrows rather than a generic energy blob.

The Artist Formerly wrote:

Glistam wrote:I also ruled that the arrows did the same damage that was rolled by the weapon, but only the arrows that the transformation provided. Any specialty arrows do their own damage, but will get the +6 to damage if that Magic Weapon option is selected.

Sure, sounds good. Like the build from your next post too. SDC looks a little low, but that fits the concept.

It's funny you say that, because this character consistently manages to take big hits and get brought close to death on a regular basis.

Maybe if the weapon is cocked (crossbow) or drawn back (bow) without an arrow, it creates a magical projectile that does the normal damage for that weapon- if a normal arrow or trick arrow is used then it has the normal effects of that arrow (allowing for the use of less-lethal standard arrows as well as high-power magical ones)?

As I've refined this idea over time, the magic bow when it's not transformed looks like a regular staff with a slight curve. A close examination can spot nearly indiscernible magical runes. As a part of the character's transformation the staff curves more appropriately, the bowstring appears, and the staff itself changes shape to complete the look of a bow. The magic runes glow during this transformation but go back to being nearly indiscernible when the transformation is complete.

Glistam wrote:By the main book, the magic weapon can't be one of those because there's no option for it on the table.

We're actually told "the player can either select a type of weapon or roll on the following table" so you can pick a weapon that isn't on the table if the GM allows you to select it instead of rolling.

It says "the only limitation is that the weapon must be an ancient type of melee weapon" though, so I think that would exclude bows/crossbows since they aren't "melee" type ancient weapons.

Nothing specifically stopping me from opting to make it say a knife, bipennis axe, oncin pick, bull whip, cat-o-nine-tails, nunchuks, or that giant statue weapon from Mystic China, if I wanted, since they're ancient melee, even though they're not on the table.

Glistam wrote:As I've refined this idea over time, the magic bow when it's not transformed looks like a regular staff with a slight curve. A close examination can spot nearly indiscernible magical runes. As a part of the character's transformation the staff curves more appropriately, the bowstring appears, and the staff itself changes shape to complete the look of a bow. The magic runes glow during this transformation but go back to being nearly indiscernible when the transformation is complete.

That sounds pretty awesome.