Restringing a bow

[krunchyfrogg]

If a bow string breaks, should there be some check involved with restinging the bow? I don't think there should be, but maybe a Craft(Bowyer/Fletcher) might cover this (?).

Anyway, how much should some extra bow strings cost? I'd imagine most characters using bows would have some extras (read: not even bother writing it down), but I just want to know in case I run into a picky DM.

 

[kreynolds]

If a bow string breaks, should there be some check involved with restinging the bow? I don't think there should be, but maybe a Craft(Bowyer/Fletcher) might cover this (?).

Nah. The game already ignores the fact that its a really bad thing to leave a wooden bow strung up all the time (which is just fine by me), so why bother, ya know?

 

[Pax]

If a bow string breaks, should there be some check involved with restinging the bow? I don't think there should be, but maybe a Craft(Bowyer/Fletcher) might cover this (?).

You don't typically store bows, nor carry them around all day, strung anyway -- at least before the advent of compound bows, and maybe even THEN (I've never owned a compound, so I wouldn't know how they fare with being left strung somewhere to an extended period).

In all honesty, other than a dungeon-crawl situation, an archer should have to spend a full-round action (or a standard, at least) to string their bow before being able to use it. (Some magic bows might be specifically enchanted to be able to remain strung indefinitely ... but their strings are probably of the well-nigh-unbreakable sort, anyway ...!)

So, no craft (or other) check needed -- just be proficient with the bow in question. Mighty bows might need a strength check to string, but only if your strength modifier is less than the bow's.

Anyway, how much should some extra bow strings cost? I'd imagine most characters using bows would have some extras (read: not even bother writing it down), but I just want to know in case I run into a picky DM.

Cost of living. Any archer worth the name, especially an adventurer, will have a half-dozen spares, at least. If he's expecting to be aay from civilisation for an extended time, he might have a box with a couple score extras. After all, they DO wear out with use, over time.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

I think that the only time a bowstring is important is when it breaks in combat... Besides that it should just be a simple matter and not really one to be punished and I also agree with you the bowstring should be a given and NOT written down all the time.

PS if it is written down on the character sheet, see my signature...

 

[kreynolds]

I think that the only time a bowstring is important is when it breaks in combat...

Another thing the game ignores...either the whole bow breaks or none of it does. It usually only takes one hit anyway though.

 

[AuraSeer]

On the rare occasion I've had this come up in game, I ruled on the side of simplicity. Anyone proficient in the bow can restring it as if drawing a weapon-- an MEA, or as part of a Move if he has at least BAB +1. (Quickdraw doesn't help here.) Everyone who normally carries a bow is assumed to have "a few" extra strings in his pocket, unless he went out of his way to buy more.

 

[Pagan priest]

I've shot a bow a few times; I am certainly not an expert. I would rule the restring time as more than a full round action. First you need to get one string out from where ever that bundle of several is kept, untangling as needed. That's a MEA all by its self. Then you loop one end of the string over the bow. At this point, you need to bend the bow (often by bracing it between your legs... no moving allowed) and slip the other end of the string into place... about a full round action in and of itself that triggers an AoO. I would say that you cannot string a bow that is too strong for you (remember The Oddessy?). As an aside, if you twist the bow while trying to string it, you may end up breaking the bow.

The above comments reflect reality and the real world. Adjust for heroic fantasy to taste.

 

[Pax]

Actually, you could set up a bow ahead of time to be "quick-strung" -- all but the last step (bending the bow and connecting the string to the second end) done beforehand.

Thus my opinion that a FRA shoudl be needed if and when combat starts,and the character hadn't specifically strung his bow already.

 

[Arc]

Actually, you could set up a bow ahead of time to be "quick-strung" -- all but the last step (bending the bow and connecting the string to the second end) done beforehand.

Thus my opinion that a FRA shoudl be needed if and when combat starts,and the character hadn't specifically strung his bow already.

In my (small) experience, keeping the string on a bow is actually fairly practical. Bracing the bow, properly bending it, then sliding the string into position could plausibly be done in six seconds (if you had plenty of training, and were in some sort of fantasy world ). I think putting a new string on would be a bit more of a hassle, perhaps requiring 2 full round actions.

Course, that means if your bowstring is broken, it's probably best to go for your backup weapon.