Topic: Arms Law 2003 - Alternate Critical I for the Rapier

[Ecthelion]

Hi,

since we had a fight against skeletons during the last session, where my new character, wielding a Rapier, wanted to do Slash criticals instead of Puncture criticals (against which the skeletons are immune) I wondered whether this Alternate Critical I is listed correctly for this weapon. The penalty for a Slash critical is -30 while the penalty for a Crush critical is only -20. I had thought that doing Slash criticals using a Rapier would be just as easy as e.g. when using a Dagger, where this penalty is only -10.

Can someone (perhaps of the AL 2003 authors) enlighten me why the penalty is so high? Or is this just a typo?

Thanks

[rdanhenry]

Daggers generally have sharpened blades, as most of them are used both for slashing/cutting and for stabbing. Rapiers are thrusting swords, and cuts are done with the point, the edges rarely being blades except within a few inches of the tip.

I suspect the number listed is the number intended.

[jdale]

You can always try for a crush attack basically by punching your target with the guard or pommel. Not as good as a weapon designed for crushing, but not a particularly difficult technique either.

[Ecthelion]

Ok, so perhaps the penalties are just right.

Thanks for your answers.