B/X weapon list remade

Continued from last post.

Here is a list of B/X weapons (adapted from OSE) with small changes in weight and the addition of speed factor. I think I've managed to distinguish every weapon with its own niche. No weapon is identical or simply better or worse than all others (if I've missed something, let me know).

The "slow" tag is removed and replaced by Speed Factor.

Notice that if you want to simply ignore speed factor and all the house rules below, the list below is still a bit more balanced (and sensible, IMO) than the original.

Assuming you're you are running the B/X as written, this is how you use speed factor (thanks Sleeper for the suggestion): whenever initiative is tied, and both sides are attacking, the weapons will indicate who attacks first. If you are not engaged with your foe, the longest weapon* attacks first. If you are already engaged, the quickest (lower SF) weapon attacks first.

[*when in doubt, the longest weapon is the one that does more damage; if they do the same damage, spear beats sword beats axe beats mace - or treat them as identical, if you find this hard to memorize].

Optional rule: when initiative is tied, roll 1d10. Every weapon that has a SF equal lower than this result also gets to attack twice (to make things even easier, you can just roll initiative with 1d10).

In addition, whenever you roll a natural 20, you get the chance of dealing a brutal hit: make another attack against the same target with a bonus equal to your SF.

[I like this solution because it makes the right weapons good against armor. If you want something faster, a natural 20 will give you more damage instead - maybe equal to half your SF, or equal to SF if you beat AC by 10 or more].

I reduced weapon ranges to their maximum range (e.g., "missile (30’)" instead of  "missile (5’–10’ / 11’–20’ / 21’–30’ )", to better fit the blog format - but it is something I plan to change too.

Weapon	Price	Wt.	Dmg.	SF	Properties
Axe, battle	7	50	1d8	8	2H
Club	3	50	1d4	4	Blunt
Crossbow	30	50	1d6	10	Missile (240’), Reload, 2H
Dagger	3	10	1d4	2	Thrown (30’)
Axe, hand	4	30	1d6	4	Thrown (30’)
Holy water (vial)	25	-	1d8	5	Thrown (50’), Splash weapon
Javelin	1	20	1d4	5	Thrown (90’)
Lance	5	120	1d6	6	Charge
Long bow	40	30	1d6	6	Missile (210’), 2H
Mace	5	30	1d6	7	Blunt
Oil (flask), burning	2	-	1d8	5	Thrown (50’), Splash weapon
Pole arm	7	120	1d10	10	Brace, 2H
Short bow	25	30	1d6	4	Missile (150’), 2H
Sword, short	7	20	1d6	3	-
Silver dagger	30	10	1d4	2	Thrown (30’)
Sling	2	20	1d4	7	Blunt, Missile (160’)
Spear	3	30	1d6	5	Brace, thrown (60’)
Staff	2	40	1d6	4	Blunt, 2H
Sword, long	10	60	1d8	5	-
Torch	1/6	-	1d4	4	-
Sword, great	15	100	1d10	8	2H
War hammer	10	20	1d6	6	Blunt

As we have seen on the last post, the simple system has a lot of positive , "hidden", consequences: for example, axes and maces are better against heavy armor, while swords and daggers become even more deadly against unarmored foes.

Well, it is a start. But I feel that there is still work to do. I'd like to see:

- More weapons.
- More balance and diversity in weapons.
- More sensible weights.
- Interrupting spells!

- Dual wielding.

- Fighting one and two-handed with the same weapon.

- Sensible rules for dwarves and halflings. Their limitations aren't limiting if  they can just pick the best weapon (the sword).

- More weapon details ..  WITHOUT making things difficult! Including, maybe, space required, backstabbing, large foes, fighting dragons and oozes, and so on.

So this is what I'm trying next! Stay tuned!