I wanted to create a move for using a great bow, a weapon I saw in the Dark Souls video game. I’m hoping someone will have better ideas for the move. One of the concepts behind the bow is that each arrow must be counted because they are the size of javelins and are each 1 weight. This is supposed to compensate for the bow’s prowess.
When you plant your great bow and fire on an opponent, mark off one great arrow and roll +STR. *On a 10+, choose two. *On a 7-9, choose one.
* Deal your class damage plus 1D6.
* Pin your target to a nearby object.
* Reduce your target’s armor by 1.
I think you should always deal class damage on a hit with one option to increase the damage if you want to.
Bundle of great bow arrows. 3 ammo 2 weight
?
I would add, On a hit deal your class damage, after the, roll + STR, then the rest of the move. Then just change the first option to just deal an additional 1d6 damage.
Remember they are being hit by a big ass arrow so a hit should always deal damage.
That’s just my 2 cents.
it is also probarbly forceful in itself. Or the bow itself is +3 damage or something.
Yes how could I forget the tags for the weapon, that is a good way to get extra damage. Then there is space for another interesting option on the move.
I would simply make it an item, not a move, with as mentioned tags. I’d probably go with Forceful, +2 damage, Piercing 2, 2 weight. Give the bow a hearty price and then as mentioned, give it’s own amo. I might not increase the weight of the ammo, but I’d make the ammo twice as expensive as regular arrows.
Honestly, I think missing flesh and pinning someone to a wall via armor or clothes is a fun and action genre appropriate. Perhaps +1D10 instead?
Obviously I am in favor of it being a move but if it were just a weapon you would need a tag for slow setup, ammo per use, the pin option and the STR replacement. (I think)
It could certainly be a weapon but I would definitely give it its own move.
I think Khaalis has got it right, though the Ranger could use a trick shot move.
Trick Shot
When you go for an improbable shot with an unusual effect, describe what you want to happen and roll +DEX. On a 10+, the GM tells you one thing you have to do to pull off the shot. On a 7-9, up to three things.
• Spend some time lining up the shot.
• Get into a vulnerable position.
• Spend 1 ammo.
• Sacrifice or endanger something important.
If you really want a move, I think Peter has the right idea. The greatbow itself should be a weapon, but for the wuxia style archery it should be a special move. I’m not certain the options for the trick shot are the most fitting, however, I’m not coming up with much off the top of my head either.
To me it just seems like shooting the big bastard is sufficiently different from a normal volley that it needs its own moves. In the way that some folks write stealth moves instead of using Defy Danger.
In the hypothetical *World where moves accompany special weapons… what might you folks add to the list of options belonging to the move in the OP?
You could make one option, cripple an immense foe.
This highlights the fact that the bow and arrows were used for dragon slaying in the game lore (Dark Souls).
Sounds good.
I’m thinking that the armor reduction and cripple options will deal/add 1D6 damage. This allows those options to deal minor damage even if the class damage option isn’t selected. Also, I’ll keep the class damage option +1D6. I’m also thinking about adding a 12+ option that allows for a 3rd option. That way, a 12+ could deal class damage +3D6 plus cripple and armor reduction.
I’m going with the following as my own personal versions of the great bow gear. I had thought about making it only Far… like a true sniper rifle sort of weapon.
Great Bow Near, Far, Forceful, Pierce 2, Weight 2. 500 coins.
Bundle of Great Arrows 2 uses, Weight 1. 30 coins.
Bundle of Dragon’s Bane Arrows 3 uses, Weight 1. 60 coins.
Too costly? Too cheap?
Peter Johansen I meant to comment that your Trick Shot move should definitely be an advanced move for the ranger. That said, I also think the ranger should get the option of Called Shot or Viper’s Strike as a starting move.
I’d go for Lord Khaalis ‘s solution, but also add “clumsy” and “impractical” tags (or something loke that… I mean, it’s not something you can run or ride while holding it… Or even walk at a good pace).
Clumsy and dangerous maybe?
Adding the stipulation that the bow needs to be planted before it can be fired was supposed to cover some of its weaknesses. I could see there being a ‘bulky’ tag or something similar.