Javelins, Handaxes & Throwing Hammers: What am I missing?

[Asmor]

A javelin is a simple melee weapon with the heavy thrown property. Its range is 10/20.

Handaxes and throwing hammers are military weapons with the heavy thrown property. Their ranges are both 5/10. Both have the off-hand quality.

All three weapons do 1d6 damage, have a +2 proficiency bonus, and cost 5 gp. The handaxe is actually a pound heavier than the other two.

So basically, the difference between the javelin and the other two is that the javelin has a significantly increased range and is missing the off-hand property.

So why the hell are the other two military? Or, alternatively, why is the javelin simple? I think it's clearly the better choice in most situations.

 

[DracoSuave]

Because feats and powers that modify/work with axes and hammers are a little better.

 

[Turtlejay]

Off of the top of my head quick draw+off hand weapon means you can carry an enchanted one around in your other hand and throw it at will, or switch to something else as needed (a shield? can you do that?). Or, if you take the 2 weapon fighting feat it just sits there giving you that bonus till you feel like throwing it.

Really though? I don't know.

Jay

 

[Obryn]

So basically, the difference between the javelin and the other two is that the javelin has a significantly increased range and is missing the off-hand property.

So why the hell are the other two military? Or, alternatively, why is the javelin simple? I think it's clearly the better choice in most situations.

I don't have a great answer for you. However, I will note that dwarves will really want to use throwing axes and hammers, whereas eladrin may want to use javelins.

-O

 

[frankthedm]

Or, alternatively, why is the javelin simple? I think it's clearly the better choice in most situations.

A Javelin in most RPG systems does not work well in melee.

 

[Rechan]

A Javelin in most RPG systems does not work well in melee.

A javelin in this case is just "Short-spear". Not an Olympic Javelin.

 

[jaelis]

Off hand seems kind of nice for a thrown weapon to me.

Say you're a 2H fighter with a greatsword. You decide you want to throw something at the wizard 5 squares away, which is not uncommon.

Javelin: Sheath sword (minor), draw javelin (minor), throw javelin (std). You've used your whole turn, and now are not threatening.

Hand axe: Release one hand (free), draw axe (minor), throw axe (std), regrip sword (free). You've still got your weapon, and a move action to boot.

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Hmm, I suppose though you could do the same thing with a javelin if you just decided to hold your sword in your off hand instead. So maybe there is no good reason for it unless you really are TWFing.

 

[Asmor]

Off hand seems kind of nice for a thrown weapon to me.

Say you're a 2H fighter with a greatsword. You decide you want to throw something at the wizard 5 squares away, which is not uncommon.

Javelin: Sheath sword (minor), draw javelin (minor), throw javelin (std). You've used your whole turn, and now are not threatening.

Hand axe: Release one hand (free), draw axe (minor), throw axe (std), regrip sword (free). You've still got your weapon, and a move action to boot.

I don't see why you can't hold your weapon in your off-hand and grab the javelin. I was specifically looking into this for a barbarian using a greatspear.

Free action to hold greatspear in your off-hand.
Minor action to draw the javelin
Standard to throw it

If you've got a magic javelin (or handaxe, for that matter), you either catch it, (free) stow it (minor) and wield your melee weapon again (free) OR you let it drop in your space, wield your melee weapon, and take a move action.

 

[Bagpuss]

Javelin: Sheath sword (minor), draw javelin (minor), throw javelin (std). You've used your whole turn, and now are not threatening.

What is this threatening you speak of?

Unarmed is an Improvised weapon which anyone can use to make a Melee Basic Attack, and thus an Opportunity attack.

Heck you even provide flanking now if you have a ranged weapon or no weapon in hand.

 

[jaelis]

Unarmed is an Improvised weapon which anyone can use to make a Melee Basic Attack, and thus an Opportunity attack.

True indeed, it's easy to forget. But it remains true that your opportunity attacks will be much less effective than they would be in the second scenario.