Talk:Francisca (3.5e Equipment)

Isn't it basically a throwing axe? Marasmusine (talk) 12:57, 11 February 2014 (MST)

Essentially yes, but they bounce. I was inspired to make it after I saw a video: search "Francisca Lindybeige" on Google if you want to see it. It'll be called "A point about franciscas". Two minutes in. --1337 w0n (talk) 20:23, 11 February 2014 (MST)

The idea is okay for a D&D weapon. Historically we've got one guy on the internet claiming this feature (he added the claim to Wikipedia citing his website, and that's the source for further quotes) vs. a roman historian who doesn't mention it in his description of their use. Still, let's look at the D&D mechanics. Marasmusine (talk) 00:49, 12 February 2014 (MST)

Balance

I am not certain how balanced this is. It needs to bounce, but I feel I may have made it too powerful. Any input will help.--1337 w0n (talk) 21:34, 11 February 2014 (MST)

You've got the axe moving around after a hit, but you don't describe what happens to it then. Is another attack roll made? At what penalty? Let's go back a moment. When you throw the axe these things might happen:

1. You hit your target (and hurt it).
2. You miss because you've hit the target's shield. The francisca might stick in it, or be deflected, or bounce.
3. You miss completely, the francisca hits the ground, wall or other piece of terrain. It might stick in or otherwise become inert, or bounce.

So firstly, it's only going to bounce on a miss, and only some of the time.

Next, if it does bounce where does it go? Lloyd unhelpfully doesn't provide any data for his replicas, nor provide any video footage. He says "like a rugby ball", but with it rotating forwards with momentum I can't imagine it diverting significantly to the sides. You've got 45 degree changes in direction, which can be awkward if the direction of attack isn't already orthogonal or diagonal. But ultimately all that matters is if it hits another target or not.

I suggest something like: If you throw the francisca and miss, randomly determine a second creature within 15' of the target. Make an additional attack against that target using the same attack bonus with a -8 penalty.

The penalty combines the random direction (it might not go the right way) and the chance it doesn't bounce at all. Why -8? That's the two-weapon attack penalty for light weapons. Marasmusine (talk) 01:21, 12 February 2014 (MST)