A Question about Masterwork Arrows

[AnthonyRoberson]

I know masterwork arrows add +1 to hit and don't stack with masterwork bows. I THINK that in 3.0 they added +1 to damage instead and did stack with masterwork bows. Does anyone remember why this was changed? Also, can anyone think of a good reason not to houserule this back to the old way?

 

[Nail]

I THINK that in 3.0 they added +1 to damage instead ...

IIRC, this isn't the case.

 

[UltimaGabe]

I know masterwork arrows add +1 to hit and don't stack with masterwork bows. I THINK that in 3.0 they added +1 to damage instead and did stack with masterwork bows. Does anyone remember why this was changed? Also, can anyone think of a good reason not to houserule this back to the old way?

A masterwork weapon, no matter what that weapon is, gets a +1 enhancement bonus to attack, NOT to damage. Arrows were no exception.

The difference between editions, of course, is that masterwork and magical arrows STACKED with the bonuses from masterwork and magical bows- meaning you could have a +5 bow and a +5 arrow, and get a +10 to attack and damage.

 

[irdeggman]

I know masterwork arrows add +1 to hit and don't stack with masterwork bows. I THINK that in 3.0 they added +1 to damage instead and did stack with masterwork bows. Does anyone remember why this was changed? Also, can anyone think of a good reason not to houserule this back to the old way?

Nope they only added to the too hit bonus and ammunition did stack with the bow.

Arrow, Bolt, or Bullet, Masterwork: A masterwork projectile functions like a normal projectile of the same type except that it is so aerodynamically sound you get a +1 bonus on attack rolls when you use it. This bonus stacks with any bonus you might get by using a masterwork bow, crossbow, or sling. The projectile is damaged (effectively destroyed) when it is used.

Other than the fact that it is inherent in the 3.5 rules that ammunition and bow bnuses don't stack - you may find that things start to get out of balance due to new feats, classes, etc.

In general I find that making what is thought to be a "small" change in the rules ends up with a rather large domino effect on other rule mechanics.

 

[Gerion of Mercadia]

Under 3.0 - you could break the living daylights out of the Arcane Archer PrC, because the Bonus for magical ammo and the bonus for the Bow itself stack. When you have a PrC that adds +1 per 2 levels to the Ammunition, and you stack that to the Bow that is the said characters Pride and Joy primary weapon; on top of "True Strike" - the sniping is sickening.

 

[Aries_Omega]

How does the arrow thing work now? Say you have a +1 composite bow (+2 strength bonus) and MW arrows? What about a MW composite bow (+2 strength bonus) and +2 arrows or something?

 

[Nac_Mac_Feegle]

How does the arrow thing work now? Say you have a +1 composite bow (+2 strength bonus) and MW arrows? What about a MW composite bow (+2 strength bonus) and +2 arrows or something?

+1 Bow, and masterworked arrows = +1 to hit and damage (take the best modifier)

Masterworked Bow and +2 arrows = +2 to hit and damage (take the best modifier)

Basically, put as many plusses as you can on your Boow, and get different damage types of arrows (+5 Bow with Shocking Burst Holy Bane arrows, they all stack)

Feegle Out

 

[Elethiomel]

What about a MW composite bow (+2 strength bonus) and +2 arrows or something?

Masterworked Bow and +2 arrows = +2 to hit and damage (take the best modifier)

Not quite an answer to the question. A Masterwork Composite bow (Mighty +2) with +2 arrows will have +2 to hit, +4 to damage, assuming that the character firing it has at least 14 strength.

 

[Nac_Mac_Feegle]

Maybe not as complete as yours, but the main problem was understanding how ammunition and bow magical bonus' worked, and those bonus' have no correlation to the mighty aspect of the bow, which could just add confusion if your not understanding the basic principle of

"Bow & Ammunition magical enhancments do not stack"

Feegle Out

 

[Rhun]

Basically, put as many plusses as you can on your Boow, and get different damage types of arrows (+5 Bow with Shocking Burst Holy Bane arrows, they all stack)

Per the rules, though, arrows still have to be +1 before they can have the special properties added to them...not a huge deal, but it does increase the cost significantly.