What Weapon Do Monsters Use?

[Goblin-King]

This supports my theory that the is only intended to be used against elven archers and players.

[Daedalus]

The rules state "a monster's attack strength is based on it's natural abilities and does not depend on a weapon" so I've never worried about what weapons the monsters had.

When you get to the expansions you have monsters with specified weapons like the elven archers, evil mercenaries and the polar warbear, but I think getting overly complicated about the monster's equipment is not in the spirit of the game (darn you, twist wood spell ).

If we pay too much attention to the monsters weapons the heroes may start to ask why they can't take them after the monster is killed

From an old thread titled "Using Monster Weapons":

I figure most Zargon/Morcars out there have had a Hero player try to take a monster's weapon before. If it's a Battle Axe or Broadsword, why shouldn't they? Too shoddy for Hero use is the stock answer. Gotta be, otherwise the Heroes power up too quickly. The game is designed for buying equipment. It's described on p.14 of the N. A. ed. Instruction Booklet:
H A Trip to the Armory

... Between Quests, you may use
gold coins to purchase powerful
weapons and protective armor from the
Armory. (See cardboard platform.)

These weapons allow you to increase
your attack and defend strength, and
may also give you unique combat
advantages.

Nowhere in the Instruction Booklet is it mentioned that Heroes are prohibited from using a monster weapon, however. The omission is taken as a common-sense restriction in order to preserve game balance. Far be it from me to be bounded by common sense...

Go ahead- let a Hero use a monster's weapon! But remember, such a less-than-powerful, non-Armory weapon is shoddy and weighted for monsters, not Heroes. As such any monster weapon is used with 1 less combat attack die in the hands of a Hero. For example, an Orc's 3 dice Braodsword is worth only 2 dice, lowering it to the effectiveness of a Shortsword. Also, it can't be sold- it's just too crappy. Lastly, it can be easily damaged- anytime it is used for attack and the dice result is all white shields, then it is broken and forever useless (adapted from a houserule Phoenix worked on [edit]).

The Battle Axe of a Chaos Warrior is cursed with dark runes of evil. No Hero can use them without succumbing to their enchantments. You might want to tip a rash Hero with a premonition, as he must resist a continual Command spell effect or be controlled by Zargon. The Gargoyle's giant broadsword and whip are just too big and cumbersome to use effectively.

Those are the base game's monster weapons. Others should be altered in a similar manner.
The weapons rack can be a little more interesting now, as semi-valuable weapons can be given more freely.

Wanna capture overpowered Heroes and make 'em sweat? Don't let them recover all of their equipment. Instead, they gotta claim and use the monster weapons found in the Quest.

[knightkrawler]

Aaaah, that's where I've adapted my houserules from. Thanks, Daedalus and Phoenix!

[torilen]

Um...don't mean to ask stupid questions...but, what is this "common-sense" of which you speak?

[knightkrawler]

The "common-sense" on evenings I am Morcar, is what I say.

[Daedalus]

Maybe common sense isn't the best phrase. I'm thinking of the general consensus that fans use as a default. As the game doesn't include instructions on how to equip an Orc with a Flail for instance, most of us (NA players, at least) have decided to just use the rule Blackthorn noted that states a monster's Attack Dice are intrinsic to the monster, not it's weapon. From there, most operate under the assumption that monster weapons aren't assigned Attack Dice because they aren't intended for general use in-game by Heroes.

Monster weapons having Attack Dice that the Heroes can benefit from is fine as a houserule, however. There isn't really a violation of common sense there, just an additional extension of the game environment. This one probably just belongs in a particular Quest in the Notes section, as it is very situational.

[torilen]

Not to add even more confusion here...but if anyone ever tried creating a one-shot thing for
HQ rules, where only the players have to roll dice...the monsters have a set attack and defense...
then monster weapon becomes even less of a need.

[Blackthorn]

And deprive the players of that moment when rolls to attack and rolls to defend?

[Goblin-King]

rolls

BAM! Let's see you defend against this!

rolls

...

[Blackthorn]

Exactly!