New Weapon: Sling

[Otaku-sempai]

Sling
An ancient hunting weapon consisting of a loop of leather or other material that is used to hurl a stone or metal bullet (usually of lead or iron) at lethal velocity. Smooth round stones (such as river-stones or cobblestones) are the standard ammunition. Improving weapon qualities are represented by the acquisition and use of customized ammunition:
- Grievous (plus 2 to Damage): Larger, heavier projectiles that inflict more harm.
- Keen (Edge is reduced by 1): Shaped in an ellipsoid to be more aerodynamic and deliver better penetration.
- Fell (plus 2 to Injury): Stones have been replaced with denser and more compact iron or lead shot.

Slings are commonly used for hunting and defense by the Wild Hobbits of the Vales of Anduin, by Men dwelling in the wilds of Eriador, and by Wild Men of Enedwaith. Slings as military weapons became obsolete in north-western Middle-earth with the coming of the Númenóreans and their superior bows, but may be more common in the East and distant South. Slingers in Eriador, Wilderland or Rhovanion will likely be using Sling-stones rather than bullets. In addition, virtually anything that can be thrown by hand can be placed in a sling and flung for a greater distance.

Sling
Damage: 3
Edge: 10
Injury: 12
Called Shot: Piercing blow regardless of the outcome of the Feat die.
Notes: Ranged weapon (as Bow). Encumbrance rating is 0.

Thoughts?

[Glorelendil]

Sling is one of the weapons I've been wanting to see added officially (for all my passion for house rules, I never actually use them, and I don't even like re-fluffing...i.e. calling my buckler a dagger, or my bow a sling).

One comment on your proposal: distinguishing between bullets and stones would seem to require an ammunition rule, similar to what was discussed recently in a thread on that topic. If there's no rule for running out of ammunition, nobody would ever use anything but bullets.

That said...I'm not sure I'd even include the idea of "bullets" in the game. I prefer to think of slings as a weapon that shepherds and other peasants make themselves and use with found stones, not the formal version that some military units have used.

[Falenthal]

I like the (stone) stats.
I thought about allowing Hobbits to use a Sling with their Dagger skill (as Quarterstaves).
The stats would be the same as a Dagger, but with a range.

Guess that's about what you made here.
And I agree with Glor: don't make the slings professional weapons. I picture them as the kind of weapon used by kids and shepherds to distract themselves hunting birds and rabbits during the long summer evenings.

[Otaku-sempai]

I like the (stone) stats.
I thought about allowing Hobbits to use a Sling with their Dagger skill (as Quarterstaves).
The stats would be the same as a Dagger, but with a range.

Guess that's about what you made here.

Originally I had it written up a bit differently with both sling-stone and bullet doing 5 Damage and 12 Injury with and Edge of 10. Then I thought that lead or iron shot really should be more effective than a stone.

And I agree with Glor: don't make the slings professional weapons. I picture them as the kind of weapon used by kids and shepherds to distract themselves hunting birds and rabbits during the long summer evenings.

Tell that to Goliath. This isn't the toy that Ori was playing with in the Peter Jackson trilogy. Wild Hobbits, Druidain (Woses) and some other primitive Cultures wouldn't have ready access to metal shot.

[Robin Smallburrow]

Agree with most of this, but a sling should have a range b/w that of a dagger and a bow imho

Robin S

[Glorelendil]

Tell that to Goliath.

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.

[Glorelendil]

Also, I just noticed the 0 encumbrance part. I think that's an excellent way to compensate for worse damage/edge/injury. Maybe it doesn't fully compensate, but at least it's something.

If you play with house rules for running out of ammo then the sling becomes a great option.

And I would really like to see an official alternative for Hobbits who don't want to use a bow or a short sword. Daggers, slings, and thrown objects FTW.

[Falenthal]

Daggers, slings, and thrown objects FTW.

And quarterstaves!

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.

[Otaku-sempai]

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-sempai]

Agree with most of this, but a sling should have a range b/w that of a dagger and a bow imho

Robin S

Going by historical accounts, the effective range of a sling could vary wildly. A skilled slinger might exceed the range of a short bow; and a lead bullet might have a range as much as twice that of a large stone. Skilled slingers could be extremely accurate and could hurl a projectile (presumably a lead bullet) as far as 500m (1640.4 feet; 546.8 yards; or over 0.3 miles) or more.