New Weapon: Sling

[Falenthal]

Pretty sure that, according to canon, Goliath was felled with a stone from a stream, not a cast bullet.

1 Samuel, 17:40

Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Okay, but what's your point? I never indicated that Goliath was killed by a sling-bullet, just that a sling isn't a toy. You just proved my own point.

Otaku, would you say that in Middle-Earth you'd consider to have cultures that have developed metal bullets for the sling? It's ok if you consider so, just wanted to know. I can't see any culture that would use professional slingers. Dwarves, maybe?

I remember reading in "The House of the Wolfings" the description of a battle where the Roman army used metal-bullet slings to deadly effects.

And second question: What skill would you require to use a Sling? Should it be a skill of its own?

[Glorelendil]

Okay, but what's your point? I never indicated that Goliath was killed by a sling-bullet, just that a sling isn't a toy. You just proved my own point.

Oh, I wasn't arguing. Just offering "evidence" that slings can be plenty dangerous (at least in mythology, which is what we are dealing with) without making them professional weapons.

[Glorelendil]

Otaku, would you say that in Middle-Earth you'd consider to have cultures that have developed metal bullets for the sling? It's ok if you consider so, just wanted to know. I can't see any culture that would use professional slingers. Dwarves, maybe?

If any culture were going to do so I would think it would be Dwarves.

I remember reading in "The House of the Wolfings" the description of a battle where the Roman army used metal-bullet slings to deadly effects.

Yup, was just going to mention that. Ironic that it shows up in a text which was such a direct inspiration for Tolkien.

[poosticks7]

I think slings are one of those weapons that always get short shrift in RPG games.

They could easily break bones and crack skulls and inflict internal injuries. I would argue that the base damage should be low but the edge rating higher. If those things hit you in a vulnerable area your in trouble.

[Otaku-sempai]

By the way, I've been looking at my rough ideas for a sling it was just the same as the "stone" version of yours, Otaku, with Piercing on a Called Shot. Only difference is that I considered it an improvised weapon and it could be used with the Dagger skill, as said before. Also, the effective range was that of a spear/thrown weapon, so just one shot allowed during opening volleys. but this last part could be open to discussion.
For the rest, I agree fully with your stats.

Based on what I'm seeing, I could argue for an effective range for a sling-bullet being equivalent for that of a Great bow (which should in reality be about five times greater that what is given in RAW, around 220 yards). It may be that the range should be spit according to the type of ammunition:

• Sling-stone: Range is same as Bow
  Sling-bullet: Range is same as Great Bow

[Otaku-sempai]

Otaku, would you say that in Middle-Earth you'd consider to have cultures that have developed metal bullets for the sling? It's ok if you consider so, just wanted to know. I can't see any culture that would use professional slingers. Dwarves, maybe?

I remember reading in "The House of the Wolfings" the description of a battle where the Roman army used metal-bullet slings to deadly effects.

I wouldn't think Dwarves, if only because their underground lifestyle argues against it. Maybe professional, military slingers should be reserved for some Easterling and Southron peoples as Bows are prevalent in north-western Middle-earth. Otherwise, I would think that slings would be used mostly by Mannish and Hobbitish shepherds and hunters, especially those from frugal Cultures. Avari Elves would probably have been the first people to develop the Sling.

And second question: What skill would you require to use a Sling? Should it be a skill of its own?

Yes, I would say that it should require it's own skill just as does the Mattock, although (like the Mattock) I did refrain from putting the Sling in its own Weapon Group. It does take a great amount of skill and practice to use a Sling effectively.

[Otaku-sempai]

I think slings are one of those weapons that always get short shrift in RPG games.

They could easily break bones and crack skulls and inflict internal injuries. I would argue that the base damage should be low but the edge rating higher. If those things hit you in a vulnerable area your in trouble.

I seriously considered an Edge of 10 and I still wonder if that might be more appropriate. I've edited the entry and I will wait for feedback.

[Terisonen]

I'm wondering if a sling is not anachronic in Middle Earth... Since bow are widely available.

[Falenthal]

I think slings are one of those weapons that always get short shrift in RPG games.

They could easily break bones and crack skulls and inflict internal injuries. I would argue that the base damage should be low but the edge rating higher. If those things hit you in a vulnerable area your in trouble.

I seriously considered an Edge of 10 and I still wonder if that might be more appropriate. I've edited the entry and I will wait for feedback.

I think the fact that a sling can easily break bones and such is better represented by a higher Injury than by a higher Edge. I'd leave Edge at G (not easy to get a direct impact in combat), but raise the Injury to 14, if you'd like to make slings a bit more deadly. A Reward for slings could be getting those metal bullets that might reduce Edge by 1, in addition to any other Quality (thus being able to lower the Edge by 2 in total).

As for cultures, I like the idea of Easterlings and Southron people using them in military formations.

[Otaku-sempai]

I'm wondering if a sling is not anachronic in Middle Earth... Since bow are widely available.

Well, slings are much cheaper and easier to make than bows and a wide variety of cultures are represented in Middle-earth, from stone-age to approaching the Renaissance. Slings are among the oldest of ranged weapons but remained useful for many thousands of years. They certainly should not be anachronistic in Middle-earth even if we don't see them used as military weapons in Gondor or Rohan (or, for that matter, Númenor).

But, in any case, what is wrong with having reasonable alternatives to other weapons? A sling is certainly not comparable to introducing two-handed Greatswords, full-plate armor, or flintlock pistols into Middle-earth.