Ye Olde Inn

I want to incorporate some of the UK equipment into my NA version of the game. Im debating if the Spear should be considered a one or two-handed weapon. The UK equipment cards seem to allow the use of a shield with a spear. This is also the case with the Staff, it seems you can use a shield with that too. The NA armory stares that a Staff cannot be used with a shield. So my question is: Should i treat the spear as a one-handed weapon or two-handed?

One handed, they're one handed if real life. Although making the staff and spear two handed does nicely fix the nonsensical EU equipment prices. I think 200gp is about right for a one handed spear.

Generally people fought with a spear and a shield, so I can't see why it would be two handed.

I will leave it one-handed then, it seems more fitting for the European themed setting of the game.

Yeap! one handed for the spear. As for the staff, EU edition, it's meant for the Wizard, who won't use a shield.

We change the EU short sword. It's seems silly to be diagonal attack, dual wield seems a much better idea. 2 attacks if you have 2, your starting weapon and the bought short sword. Obviously, a Hero can't use a shield with this as it's taking up their other hand. They can buy a shield and have it in their inventory, we play sacrifice 1 rolled movement d6 to change weapons.

A link to my mods download is in the first post here viewtopic.php?f=143&t=3281

Yeah, a diagonal attack with the shortsword is really strange. When I read the card, I was thinking: wtf? I imagined the sword being attached to a chain and flung at a diagonal enemy.

Because it's small and very easy to reach over. Shortswords are stabbing weapons. I continued the theme to allow daggers to attack diagonally and knives, they can also be thrown.

How about this:
If the spear is used as a 1 handed weapon the attacker may roll 1 Dice. If 2 hand fighting style is used with the spear the attacker may use 2 dice to attack and may not equip with the off hand. Either way the spear may be used to attack adjacent and diagonal targets.

One would conclude a two handed weapon would do more damage than a one handed weapon just in sheer force or thrust alone. I agree with cynthialee on this one. If you have the benefit of a shield in one hand and a spear in the other, the spear should be one die less than if using no shield and the spear with two hands. It's all about balance at my table. It's about give and take. Same thing about attacking diagonally. If a player is armed with only a spear, allow him of her to attack diagonally, but he or she can't attack diagonally if they are equipped with a shield and the spear. You have to be very thorough when you alter the HQ game. With little intent, you can make a player too powerful with new weapons, armor or spells. I always keep it at a 2 to 1 ratio, a new type of weapon or spell may give the player 2 advantages but there is at least 1 disadvantage to off set the 2.

2 to 1 Ratio
Advantages:
+1 Spear is a two handed weapon which does X damage
+1 Spear can be used to attack diagonally
Disadvantage:
-1 Spear does one less damage while equipped with a shield

Advantages:
+1 Spear can be used with a shield
+1 Benefit of a shield
Disadvantage:
-1 Spear can not be used to attack diagonally while equipped with a shield

Advantages:
+1 Spear can be thrown at a monster within players line of sight, which does X damage
+1 Spear can be retrieved after thrown
Disadvantage:
-1 Spear does one less damage if thrown while equipped with a shield

Gold Bearer wrote:Because it's small and very easy to reach over. Shortswords are stabbing weapons.

Yeah I get that but it doesn't work, lol. One could reach over with a large weapon. Being able to 2 wield it is much better, with the axe too. A trade off for having a shield, makes it a perfect mechanic choice. 2 attacks or stronger defence.

I like those modifier on the spear but does it get too wordy? is too many mechanics for one weapon? It's borderline I think.