Why a kama?

[Terraism]

Ok. A sickle costs 6 gp, weighs 2 lbs, and is a slashing weapon that does 1d4/1d6 damage, with a 20/x2 crit chance. A kama costs 2 gp, weighs 2 lbs, and is a slashing weapon that does 1d4/1d6 damage, with a 20/x2 crit chance. They may both be used to make trip attacks/dropped to avoid a counter-trip. The kama is exotic, and a special monk weapon. Except that monks are proficient with it by default. So, why, exactly does a kama exist?

 

[Kaleon Moonshae]

Ok. A sickle costs 6 gp, weighs 2 lbs, and is a slashing weapon that does 1d4/1d6 damage, with a 20/x2 crit chance. A kama costs 2 gp, weighs 2 lbs, and is a slashing weapon that does 1d4/1d6 damage, with a 20/x2 crit chance. They may both be used to make trip attacks/dropped to avoid a counter-trip. The kama is exotic, and a special monk weapon. Except that monks are proficient with it by default. So, why, exactly does a kama exist?

Because it is a real world martial arts weapon? Because they needed to keep some of those distinctive monk weapons that people loved about monks and most players will choose a kama over a sickle, a tonfa over a club, and a bo staff over a quarterstaff. These weapons, in broad generalities are the same weapons, just different flavor (note I said broad, I know that in real life the nuances of each are very different and that may have been one reason to include kama in the book). I do wish there was a gusari in the main book though .

 

[Hypersmurf]

Ok. A sickle costs 6 gp. A kama costs 2 gp. The kama is a special monk weapon. So, why, exactly does a kama exist?

Monks are poor.

-Hyp.

 

[Kaleon Moonshae]

Monks are poor.

-Hyp.

Oh lordy, almost blew coffee on the wall. Then decided to shake my head like an embarrassed father instead. What an answer. Shoot from the hip often? LOL

 

[frankthedm]

The weapon sickle looks more readily usable as a weapon[better point, bigger cutting area], while the kama has better a balance of wieght for the monks greater skill[more handle, etc].

If it gets to you, rule them the same weapon for the games you run. I personally like being able to place valuable monk weapons in commoner's hands as farm impliments. Plus monks and other classes have enough friction for item distribution, without adding weapons to the mix.

 

[Darklone]

Oh lordy, almost blew coffee on the wall. Then decided to shake my head like an embarrassed father instead. What an answer. Shoot from the hip often? LOL

Seconded. OMG, I'm glad I finished my coffee already.

Doesn't the Kama give disarm or other bonuses? I fear not...

 

[Shin Okada]

I always wonder why Kama has become so popular in American RPGs. Indeed, that thing is not a popular martial arts weapon here in Japan.

And martial arts monks are Chinese thing ....

 

[Nifft]

Isn't a Kama basically a mini-scythe, just like the Sickle? Isn't it functionally the same as a Sickle -- made for cutting grain by hand?

Apparently Commoners are richer than Monks.

-- N

 

[Terraism]

Because it is a real world martial arts weapon? Because they needed to keep some of those distinctive monk weapons that people loved about monks and most players will choose a kama over a sickle, a tonfa over a club, and a bo staff over a quarterstaff. These weapons, in broad generalities are the same weapons, just different flavor (note I said broad, I know that in real life the nuances of each are very different and that may have been one reason to include kama in the book). I do wish there was a gusari in the main book though .

Which, of course, fits in perfectly well with the decision not to include a katana (which, I've a feeling, is more often asked for than a kama.) Ok; so general consensus is that it's unneccesary. That's fine with me - I was just annoyed that I couldn't find a difference, since they made a point not to otherwise include identical weapons. Thought I must've been missing something.

Hypersmurf -

 

[Taluron]

Ok. A sickle costs 6 gp, weighs 2 lbs, and is a slashing weapon that does 1d4/1d6 damage, with a 20/x2 crit chance. A kama costs 2 gp, weighs 2 lbs, and is a slashing weapon that does 1d4/1d6 damage, with a 20/x2 crit chance. They may both be used to make trip attacks/dropped to avoid a counter-trip. The kama is exotic, and a special monk weapon. Except that monks are proficient with it by default. So, why, exactly does a kama exist?

Our group couldn't see much real difference either and allow monks to use sickles at a -1 to-hit. There are differences in balalnce and materials, especially in the amount of metal used. Which can be used to explain the difference in cost. Sickles actually do have more metal and are generally slightly large.