oil of impact

[Wolfgar]

The description says that when applied to a non-missile weapons the effect lasts for a certain number of rounds as opposed to missiles where it lasts until used. It seems to me that this could be interpreted as either the number of rounds the weapon is used in combat or the number rounds since the application of the oil. I would vote for the first interpretation because the duration is pretty short so trying to apply the oil just before getting into combat seems hard to do. It is the act of using the weapon that removes the oil and not that the oil evaporates very quickly. I would be willing to add a stipulation that the oil evaporates 12 or 24 hours after application which seems to be the standard for other oils. Does that seem reasonable?

[Dead Greyhawk]

I read both of the entries for oil (that of impact and that of sharpness). They seem to me to be implying that you pour the oil on the weapon and then you have x rounds to use it before it is no longer in effect. It seems that this is a pre-attack preparatory move, similar to the use of Bless or Prayer. I'm sensitive to the notion that this seems to limit the utility of the potion.

I'd suggest that the oil could be applied at any time, but once the weapon was drawn, the timer on the number of applicable rounds begins. This is slightly more limiting than your suggestion, where drawing the weapon wouldn't mean anything to the duration of the potion, but still maintains the flexibility of not having to take two or three rounds to find potion/apply potion, re-equip shield. I don't think I'd need the oil to evaporate in 24 hours, since this would really limit when you'd prepare with it.

I think my approach has some odd quirks to it as well, like making a "back-up" weapon more viable and allowing bow-specialists the possibility of some big hits with their weapon.

[venger]

admin said:

I'd suggest that the oil could be applied at any time, but once the weapon was drawn, the timer on the number of applicable rounds begins. This is slightly more limiting than your suggestion, where drawing the weapon wouldn't mean anything to the duration of the potion, but still maintains the flexibility of not having to take two or three rounds to find potion/apply potion, re-equip shield.

So what about a warhammer or weapon that you wouldn't sheathe? Would that mean you'd have to wrap it in some kind of cloth? Or can we just pretend that weapons exist in only two states - drawn and undrawn - regardless of the type of weapon?

[Dead Greyhawk]

I think we just pretend that weapons exist in two states, and only in the undrawn/sheathed/unequipped state would the round countdown not start. I think that I'm envisioning that the round countdown can't be reset by sheathing your weapon as well. More that once you equip your weapon, it has the effects of the oil of impact/sharpness for the next N rounds. Imagine contact with the air initiates some magical effect or something like that.