W.P Boomerang.

[Sci-Fi]

Ok. I've been working with Jaymz on the Batman stuff, and if there's any 'iconic' weapon for Batman, it's the Bat-a-rang. Now, these come in many sizes, shapes and usages. From full sized ones with grapple lines attached to average ones to the small bladed ones that are basicly just throwing stars shaped like bats. Some are blunt metal slabs for knock outs, some are even remote controlled etc.

This topic is for the 'normal' bat-a-rangs. Not the little throwing stars. Not the 'gadgety' ones. Just your standard "Bat-a-rang" that comes to mind when you hear the word.

Now, Palladium actually has a WP Boomerang. You can find it in Mutants Down Under. For sake of debate I'll post it here.

W.P. Boomerang: The technological equal of the bow, boomerangs depend on the sophisticated aerodynamics for their extreme range and special flight characteristics. Damage is 1D10, and no P.S. or other damage bonuses are allowed . However, the usual P.P. bonus to Strike is allowed.
A boomerang can be thrown in any of the following ways. Thrower must specify the boomerang's path before throwing it. Bonuses to strike are + I at first level, and an additional + I at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, II th, 13th, 15th and 17th level.
1. Return Path. Thrown so that it will come back to the thrower. Note that it's also possible to be running, or riding in a vehicle, and to throw it so that it will come to where the character is going.
2. Straight Shot. Maximum range is an extraordinary 600ft (183m). If a targetlvictim is 100ft (30.5m) away or more, and sees the boomerang coming, then he/she gets + 4 to Dodge or Parry .
3. Back Shot. The idea is to curve the path so that the boomerang goes over or around the victim, and then comes back to hit from the opposite side. Maximum range is 250ft (76.2m). Because of the surprising arc the victim has a -2 to Dodge or Parry.
4. Bounce Shot. The boomerang is thrown so that it curves down , then arcs or bounces back up, so the victim is hit low by an upward moving boomerang. The result is a pure knockdown attack. A successful attack (victim fails to Parry or Dodge) knocks the victim down to the ground and does 106 damage. Maximum range is 350ft (l06.7m).

Now this was written in the mid to late 80s, so it's a good bit dated, but I wanted some opinions on it.

1) The damage is for wooden boomerangs, not 'modern' or 'high tech' metal ones. Would you guys up the damage for modern ones that are made of metal and/or purposefully sharpened, vs being blunt objects.
2) The "no PS or other damage bonuses allowed" part. Seems to come out of no where. Have no explanation, and just stop right there. It's a thrown object. Someone with a PS of 50 is going to be able to throw it faster, and harder than someone with a PS of 5. Having equal damage across the board. (I.E. no damage bonus from exceptional strength) Seems off to me.

My self, these are the 'answers' to my questions above
1) Personally I think 3D4 would be more fitting for the modern bladed ones. They're going to hit harder and if bladed cut, vs being wacked with a shaped stick. (Which can still hurt but for the most part being hit with metal hurts more than getting hit with wood). 3D4 only 'ups' the max damage possible by 2, but does up the 'average' damage a bit. (( and it gives another reason to roll the fun lil 4 sided dice!)
2) I'd allow for PS bonus, if for nothing else on the 'straight shot' throw. The ones thrown to bank around and come back... ok. Maybe the mechanics of that cut out bonus, but for the straight, "I fling this bit of sharpened metal at THAT target" i'd allow the PS bonus. (I'd probably add it across the board for ease of use, but for sure on the straight shot)

I'm curious to the thoughts of others on this.

[Jaymz]

1 - Yeah modern types should have different damages. If arrows can so can boomerangs. Strait metal 'rang....+50% over standard maybe...

2 - Yeah I am not sure on this one.....do you get a PS bonus for throwing a knife? I am note sure it says one way or the other. I wold say distances/range should definitely be extended with higher or super strengths.

[Jaymz]

Ok under WP Targeting in RUE, thrown weapons do not get a PS bonus to damage unless the weapon or WP specifically say so.

personally I think you are right in wanting to add a PS bonus to direct shots....I would give full PS bonus though...it will lose some force during the flight of the throw. Maybe damage + 1/2 PS damage bonus?

[Sci-Fi]

Well that would put damage at 4D4 roughly or 2D6+3. 4D4 is more fun.

As for rules for thrown weapons. They do not state that you do 'not' get damage bonus for them. Thing is, in HU2, on the same page it often contradicts itself. From "Archery And Targeting" and then "Targeting (throwing/missile weapons) The damage codes are different, and they are almost side by side on the same page (parts of the two write ups are.) lol

One side says Traditional Crossbow 3D6, then in the next column it gives 3 different cross bow damages and it tops out at 2D6.

Boomerangs are there, and are stated differently than in Mutants Down Under. in HU2, apparently you can't throw the things across a large room (60 feet), Mutants down under has a straight shot at 600 feet. literally ten times the range and even if you bank it it gives you a range of 250 feet, which is a bit over 4 times the range.

MDU gives a much more detailed write up than HU2. Which may be accounted for "Knowing how to throw boomerangs" vs just "Knowing how to throw stuff". I.E. WP Boomerang is specialized knowledge and 'WP Targeting" is generalized.

Meh. Screw it. I'll go with 4D4 damage and strength bonus allowed. (at least in my games.)


As for the little bladed bats, that are more like throwing stars, stats for a Throwing knife is 1D6, but if memory serves throwing stars might only be 1D4?

[Jaymz]

That is why I specified in RUE it says under targeting, thrown weapons do not get PS bonus to damage. HU2 actually says noting on the matter.


I have no issue with adding a PS bonus to damage I just don't think full bonus should be used is all.

Yeah i think Shurikens are 1d4

Also WP Thrown Weapons would be the general catch all not targeting.

[Sci-Fi]

I typically err on the side of 'ease of use/remembering', vs 'ultra detailed and specialized' type things. If all other melee weapons allow for str bonus, then I'll allow it, or if we're not allowing it for thrown, I just 'won't'. vs doing "Half for thrown". But that's just me.

I do thank you for your imput, sir.

[damianmagecraft]

the 1d10 for wooden sounds off to me; yes, I know that it is RAW, but it seems off some how.
as to the upgrade for metal or other materials? Yes it makes perfect sense.
I would have gone with 2d6 but 3d4 works as well.

[writersblock]

You might also want to look at the Sharpshooting tricks, like ricochet.

The very first Batman clone PC I ever made used the Mutants Down Under boomerang rules.