I have two questions about weapon proficiencies (well #1 isn't really a question, but rather a proposed houserule):
1) Bow Proficiencies
I have a problem with how the proficiencies for exotic bows (Hyrkanian/Shemite/Stygian/Bossonian) work. In my last game, one of the players played an archery-specialized Bossonian soldier. When he had his Bossonian longbow, he kicked a lot of ass, but when he was without it, not so much. He even got his hands on a Stygian longbow at one point, but couldn't really use it. He really didn't feel like a great archer at all; just a Bossonian longbow specialist, which he thought was a bit uncool. What we didn't like was this: good archers in Conan are always very specialized and committed to one type of bow, usually based on their race. Part of the problem here is that the hunting bow is so very weak that its not really an option if you want to be an effective archer, you basically have to stick to your racial weapon.
So, to my proposed houserule: How do you think it would work to have only one feat (Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Compound bow) that covered all of the Hyrkanian, Shemite, Stygian and Bossonian bows? These races would then gain this feat for free, so a Bossonian, for example, would be proficient with all bows, not just the Bossonian one. Any problems with that houserule?
2) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Greatsword
What is the basis in the REH tales for the greatsword being a Hyborian-specific weapon (IOW, why do Hyborians gain Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Greatsword for free)?
IIRC, the Nemedian Adventurers wielded greatswords, but is there anything other than that?
1) Bow Proficiencies
I have a problem with how the proficiencies for exotic bows (Hyrkanian/Shemite/Stygian/Bossonian) work. In my last game, one of the players played an archery-specialized Bossonian soldier. When he had his Bossonian longbow, he kicked a lot of ass, but when he was without it, not so much. He even got his hands on a Stygian longbow at one point, but couldn't really use it. He really didn't feel like a great archer at all; just a Bossonian longbow specialist, which he thought was a bit uncool. What we didn't like was this: good archers in Conan are always very specialized and committed to one type of bow, usually based on their race. Part of the problem here is that the hunting bow is so very weak that its not really an option if you want to be an effective archer, you basically have to stick to your racial weapon.
So, to my proposed houserule: How do you think it would work to have only one feat (Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Compound bow) that covered all of the Hyrkanian, Shemite, Stygian and Bossonian bows? These races would then gain this feat for free, so a Bossonian, for example, would be proficient with all bows, not just the Bossonian one. Any problems with that houserule?
2) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Greatsword
What is the basis in the REH tales for the greatsword being a Hyborian-specific weapon (IOW, why do Hyborians gain Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Greatsword for free)?
IIRC, the Nemedian Adventurers wielded greatswords, but is there anything other than that?