Re: Rule problem?

Thatotherguy wrote:

> > You're dead wrong. I'm sorry, but you really don't seem to know a
> > great
> > deal about the weapons we're talking about. They are quite accurate,
> > but
> > that's a relative term. You could get these weapons accurate enough
> > that
> > at range they will hit a stationary target more often than not, but
> > at
> > best (ie with expert weaponeers, and high-quality weapons) you'd be
> > looking at hitting about 75-80% of the time.
>
> You're dead wrong.  I obviously know much more about the weapons than
> you do.  You hold to this tired philosophy but even your own math
> proves you wrong.  Firing a mere 1500 yards with a ballista and no
> friction or gravity to account for when I'm absolutely stationary and
> so is my target and I do not have a defective weapon my chance of
> hitting will be 99%+.  You seem to be completely unable to grasp that
> these weapons are accurate.  They have to be or they will never hit at
> all.  As your own math proves.  You have this idea that hitting is a
> matter purely of luck, regardless of other circumstances.  That's an
> ignorant and foolish view (though the SJ weapon THAC0 rules could lead
> one to it).  Engineers and mathematicians have learned how to handle
> projectile targeting.  They did a long time ago and they do now.  Now
> it's scientific, then, I imagine it was as much practice and intuitive
> skill.  Regardless, if the weapons are viable they must be able to hit
> reliably, otherwise other weapons would be developed.

Not surprisingly I have to argue against you on this one.  We are not
talking about finally machined parts, turned out in mass production here.
Ballistas and catapults are made with wood and rope.  EVERY time you load
it you are going to get a different amount of tension.  Now, when you are
within the normal range of the weapon, this is not usually a big deal and
you can generally hit the same location time after time.  But if you are
sitting back miles from your target so they don't see you any small
variation will will be a huge variance by the time you get to target.

What it comes down to is if you want to handle it this way in your
campaign, then more power to you.  If on the otherhand you think it is
silly (as I do) just don't let your players do it.  There is reason one
person is DM and the others are players.

Dave Lebert