Using a Mighty bow: need masterwork arrow or not ?

[power2084]

Hello all,

My dungeon master keeps insisting that I need to use Masterwork arrows in order to
get the Strength bonus from my mighty bow :\

What do you all think ? Is he right ?

One way or the other, can you justtify your answer by quoting a rule somewhere in some book ?

Please reply !
Thanks for your help.

 

[Bront]

There is no rule that says you need a masterwork arrow for a strength bow. Ask him to show you a rule that says you do.

 

[Smitty]

Your dungeon master must be taking drugs.

You can simply use normal arrows and you will get your
Strength bonus (up to the maximum rating of the Mighty bow).

 

[Thanee]

Longbow, Composite: You need at least two hands to use a bow, regardless of its size. You can use a composite longbow while mounted. All composite bows are made with a particular strength rating (that is, each requires a minimum Strength modifier to use with proficiency). If your Strength bonus is less than the strength rating of the composite bow, you can’t effectively use it, so you take a –2 penalty on attacks with it. The default composite longbow requires a Strength modifier of +0 or higher to use with proficiency. A composite longbow can be made with a high strength rating to take advantage of an above-average Strength score; this feature allows you to add your Strength bonus to damage, up to the maximum bonus indicated for the bow. Each point of Strength bonus granted by the bow adds 100 gp to its cost.

For purposes of weapon proficiency and similar feats, a composite longbow is treated as if it were a longbow.

Shortbow, Composite: You need at least two hands to use a bow, regardless of its size. You can use a composite shortbow while mounted. All composite bows are made with a particular strength rating (that is, each requires a minimum Strength modifier to use with proficiency). If your Strength bonus is lower than the strength rating of the composite bow, you can’t effectively use it, so you take a –2 penalty on attacks with it. The default composite shortbow requires a Strength modifier of +0 or higher to use with proficiency. A composite shortbow can be made with a high strength rating to take advantage of an above-average Strength score; this feature allows you to add your Strength bonus to damage, up to the maximum bonus indicated for the bow. Each point of Strength bonus granted by the bow adds 75 gp to its cost.

For purposes of weapon proficiency and similar feats, a composite shortbow is treated as if it were a shortbow.

No mentioning of masterwork arrows...

MASTERWORK WEAPONS

A masterwork weapon is a finely crafted version of a normal weapon. Wielding it provides a +1 enhancement bonus on attack rolls.

You can’t add the masterwork quality to a weapon after it is created; it must be crafted as a masterwork weapon (see the Craft skill). The masterwork quality adds 300 gp to the cost of a normal weapon (or 6 gp to the cost of a single unit of ammunition). Adding the masterwork quality to a double weapon costs twice the normal increase (+600 gp).

Masterwork ammunition is damaged (effectively destroyed) when used. The enhancement bonus of masterwork ammunition does not stack with any enhancement bonus of the projectile weapon firing it.

All magic weapons are automatically considered to be of masterwork quality. The enhancement bonus granted by the masterwork quality doesn’t stack with the enhancement bonus provided by the weapon’s magic.

Even though some types of armor and shields can be used as weapons, you can’t create a masterwork version of such an item that confers an enhancement bonus on attack rolls. Instead, masterwork armor and shields have lessened armor check penalties.

No mentioning of composite bows...

Bye
Thanee

 

[TheEvil]

The ideas some participants in D&D games get into their heads never cease to amaze me...

Good luck, and let us know how this works out.

 

[HellHound]

No, your DM is wrong *according to the rules as written*. However, remember that this does -not- make him wrong for the game you are playing in.

If he has rule 0'd this (ie: it is a house rule in his game) then he is right. Asking him to 'show you a rule' isn't going to make it any better; asking him if it is a house rule, or something he has changed from the rule books would be a lot friendlier and appropriate, IMO. Saying he's on drugs would probably be one of the worst ways to approach it. If he thinks it is a rule from the core rules, THEN you can correct him, but regardless, if he has house ruled it, the core rules are irrelevant.

 

[TheEvil]

Actually, Hellhound does make a very good point about approach. Even if you think the call your GM makes is totally idiotic, be polite and respectful in your approach.
However, I stand by my statement on what people will believe is in the rules, or if made a house rule, is fair and balanced.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

but regardless, if he has house ruled it, the core rules are irrelevant.

I agree with everything else in your post except this. I've always played in games where the rules are something that are agreed upon by all players. Usually the DM does make these decisions, but they need to be "ratified" by the table. Our DMs don't simply decide things, regardless of how everyone else feels.

I realize that many games still work under the "DM is always right" paradigm, so perhaps in many games your comment is correct. But not all groups would find the distinction between house/core rules irrelevent.

 

[irdeggman]

You can have a masterwork composite bow with a +2 str rating. That would yield a +1 to hit (masterwork quality) and +2 to damage (from the str rating). You could then have it enchanted to a +2 bow. Which (if my math is correct) yields a +2 to hit/+4 damage. +2 to hit/+2 damage from the +2 enhancement (which doesn't stack with the +1 to hit from being masterwork) and another +2 to damage due to the str rating.

Ammunition and bow bonuses do not stack in 3.5 (only the greater applies). The bonus to damage due to str rating is not an enhancement so it does stack with enhancement bonuses.