Khopesh

John Q. Mayhem · Mar 29, 2004

I've seen three versions of the khopesh in d20 books. The FRCS has it as martial, 1d8 19-20/x2 and can trip, AU has the Sibeccai khopesh with bastard sword stats (probably not based on the Egyptian khopesh), and Green Ronin's Testament has it martial one-handed, 1d6 19-20/x2, +2 to disarm and can trip. Which is the most accurate? Has anyone on EN World ever handled a khopesh?

Darklone · Mar 29, 2004

sickle

Matafuego · Mar 29, 2004

I use a 2d4 20/x3 and materwork ones doing 2d4 19-20/x3 (I'll admit it's not very balanced).

I never knew egyptians used that weapon to trip opponents

John Q. Mayhem · Mar 29, 2004

Darklone said:
sickle

Really? That's kinda silly (IMO). With a sickle you hit with the little pointy tip, with a khopesh you slash with the sharp, curved outside. To my knowledge, they weren't used to trip, but it looks like the could be used to.

woodelf · Mar 29, 2004

John Q. Mayhem said:
Really? That's kinda silly (IMO). With a sickle you hit with the little pointy tip, with a khopesh you slash with the sharp, curved outside. To my knowledge, they weren't used to trip, but it looks like the could be used to.

Actually, isn't a sickle a lot like a scaled-down scythe? 'Cause, if so, the functional surface isn't the tip, it's the long, [concave-]curved inside edge.

Nonetheless, i agree that it's not gonna be a whole lot like a khopesh--a tapering concave inward-facing curved blade, perpindicular to a mid-length handle isn't likely to be used very much like a convex curved blade with an inverse taper on the end of [and parallel to] a short handle. My understanding is that the design rationale behind the khopesh was (1) greater weight at the tip for more powerful blows and (2) curved blade to make it a more deadly slashing weapon. So, like a combination of mace and scimitar. It seems to me that the very heavy blade, weighted towards the tip, woul make it difficult to use for quick or dextrous actions. Thus, using it to trip or disarm wouldn't be much like using, say, a whip, where you're using dexterity and finesse to strike in a special way. Disarming would be more like (in D&D3E terms) sundering--simply using the power of the strike to knock the weapon away or break it. Likewise, i'd envision it being no more effective than a mace for tripping: the hooked end is deceptive and probably not much use for that, but you could certainly knock someone's legs out from under them (probably permanently).

Disclaimer: i'm operating completely on 2nd-hand knowledge here, having read some attpmets at historical reconstruction of the khopesh, but never having used, or even seen, one myself.

LGodamus · Mar 29, 2004

I have handled a replica Khopesh...they are quite unwieldy in comparison to more advanced designs. You could probably trip with it, but you could trip with about anything...so rules wise I would say allowing it to be a trip weapon isnt historically accurate. On the other hand it doesnt need to be historically accurate just a balanced and useful addition to the game.

Umbran · Mar 29, 2004

woodelf said:
Actually, isn't a sickle a lot like a scaled-down scythe? 'Cause, if so, the functional surface isn't the tip, it's the long, [concave-]curved inside edge.

Yes, but orcs are not wheat. What is functional against overgrown grass is not necessarily what is functional on monsters.

Now, if you come up against a straw golem, all bets are off...

Capellan · Mar 29, 2004

John Q. Mayhem said:
I've seen three versions of the khopesh in d20 books. The FRCS has it as martial, 1d8 19-20/x2 and can trip, AU has the Sibeccai khopesh with bastard sword stats (probably not based on the Egyptian khopesh), and Green Ronin's Testament has it martial one-handed, 1d6 19-20/x2, +2 to disarm and can trip. Which is the most accurate? Has anyone on EN World ever handled a khopesh?

I don't know about most accurate, but Testament's version looks the best, game-play wise. The FRCS version is just an improved longsword (same damage and crit, plus the ability to trip - though I believe it has it as exotic, not martial, which is definitely a mitigating factor: probably too much of one), and AU's is unnecessary if you already have a bastard sword.

So of the three, I'd use the Testament version: matching it aganst a longsword, you trade off average damage for some improved ability to use special moves.

(alternatively: martial one-handed, 1d8, 20/x2 and can trip would also work well)

Bendris Noulg · Mar 29, 2004

The use of the Khopesh as a weapon was more akin to a chopping action rather than fanciful swordplay. I use 1d6 20/x3, 5lb, slashing (same as a Handaxe) with a Noble's Khopesh being 2d4 20/x3, 7lb, slashing (as a Battleaxe with a slightly higher average). No special features for either.

Sejs · Mar 29, 2004

Actually, isn't a sickle a lot like a scaled-down scythe?

No, it's not. A kama is alot like a scaled down scythe, however. Some pictures.

Scythe (Looks like the number 7, blade is the top bit.):

Sickle(Looks like a question mark ?, blade is everything above the dot.):

Khopesh

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