Weapons usable by Drakes/Beasts

[Glacialis]

I see the "Beast" upgrade option for Kits and Armor, but not weapons. I love the idea of a Drake or beast ally with mounted weapons. For Drakes, spikes on the tail, razors on the wings, etc. What do you think?

[Krensky]

No opposable thumbs means no weapons.

Look at the Toothed armor upgrade in the AC though.

[spinningdice]

There was a "Beast" upgrade in the 1st printing, it got taken out because it meant you could basically ignore the beast type by throwing enough cash at it.

[ArawnNox]

There was a "Beast" upgrade in the 1st printing, it got taken out because it meant you could basically ignore the beast type by throwing enough cash at it.

That's Hollywood's solution to everything: Throw some money at it.

(We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread, already in progress.)

[Glacialis]

spinningdice: I agree with the ability to wield all weapons, I just don't think that all weapons, period, end of story, should be verboten.

Krensky: Elegant in its simplicity.



I was also considering a Prehensile Tail species feat, allowing the character to use weapons two size categories smaller than themselves. The average Drake would be able to wield Small weapons this way. Still...not exactly what I was thinking.

Turning your tail into a mace? Take Dragon-Tailed, mount it to your tail. Put blades on your wing spurs, or along the bones. That sort of thing is what I'm thinking of. Weapons used to augment natural attacks, perhaps variations on Toothed and changing damage type.

What do you guys think about this modifying Toothed: Deals an additional +1 for every size category larger than Medium.

Also: Drake-made weapons. Who are they making weapons for?

[spinningdice]

People who have impressed them?

[Glacialis]

That's the conclusion I came to. I could handwave it, but thus far I haven't had to handwave anything else so it bothers me.

Let me just reiterate that I understand the balance implications of allowing Beasts to use anything by throwing money at it. Again, I'm looking for ways to improve a Beast's damage output by making things they can already do more dangerous. I'm getting more ideas the more I think about this; working on something for Licensed to Improvise. Core concept is that wearing dangerously sharp, pointy, or heavy things can alter or improve Natural Attacks or grant one that a Beast didn't already have. This will be a combination of Species or Gear feats and the equipment itself.

How many character resources is the lack of weapons worth? I assume a Beast's -2.0 is because of this and the increased cost for kits and armor.

[Fortinbras]

Drake-made weapons. Who are they making weapons for?

Maybe they're not made by drakes... they're made FROM drakes 

Or whatever makes sense for you, it's an upgrade that fills a useful niche regardless of where it comes from.

But just to go back to your original point:

I love the idea of a Drake or beast ally with mounted weapons.

If you just want to stick some spiky bits onto a drake Personal Lieutenant, the simplest thing to do would be treat the upgrade as part of the character and buy a higher grade natural attack. I wouldn't mess with the limitations for drake PCs, there need to be hefty drawbacks to being a flying, fire-breathing monster.

[Kaptn_Lath]

Nerfing the breath weapon to once per scene and cutting the fly speed in half I think could balance it out. Or go the route of a species feat trading the wings for thumbs?

Ideas that could use a through vetting by the more experienced players.

[Mister Andersen]

Um, no, honestly. That fiddly stuff physical manipulation stuff? That's what minions -- and MrCs -- are for.

[Catodon]

Yep, that's were council of wryms got it so wrong: A proper dragon is a big fire breathing preditor who can't stand being around her own kind and distains the petty toys of mere monkeys.