Seeing as my next campaign is going to focus more on surface world skirmishes than dungeons, I want to include things like ballistas in the tactical mix. The 5e DMG provides rules for them, but they are honestly so perfunctory they need to be expanded on for actual play. Here's my version of a D&D relevant ballista. Design goals. As noted in David Coffron’s answer to another question, the moonblade (Dungeon Master’s Guide, pg. 217) has no fixed limit on how much damage it can do: there is no stated limit to the number of runes on the blade.It states: A moonblade has one rune on its blade for each master it has served (typically 1d6 + 1). The first rune always grants a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with.
Just wanted to know how a Moonblade with effects that gave it more than a +3 bonus would work; let me explain.
You can get up to a +3 bonus with the runes by rolling on the table; but what if you then roll the property that makes it work as a Defender? The Defender specifically says 'you gain a +3 bonus to attack and damag rolls with this magic weapon' same thing with the Vorpal Sword. So the thing is, by RAW, a Moonblade can give you up to a +9 bonus on attacks and damage. How do you think it should work?
You can get up to a +3 bonus with the runes by rolling on the table; but what if you then roll the property that makes it work as a Defender? The Defender specifically says 'you gain a +3 bonus to attack and damag rolls with this magic weapon' same thing with the Vorpal Sword. So the thing is, by RAW, a Moonblade can give you up to a +9 bonus on attacks and damage. How do you think it should work?
![Moonblade Moonblade](https://i.warosu.org/data/tg/img/0391/72/1428349533081.png)
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Schooltransmutation; Leveldruid 2, ranger 1
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, DF
Components V, S, DF
![Moonblade 5e dmg free Moonblade 5e dmg free](https://i.warosu.org/data/tg/img/0387/71/1426627640540.jpg)
EFFECT
Range personal
Effect one weapon composed of moonbeams
Duration 1 round/level
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
Effect one weapon composed of moonbeams
Duration 1 round/level
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
DESCRIPTION
You focus the light of the moon into the form of any melee weapon you are already proficient with. Despite the name moonblade, the moonbeams can be focused into the shape of a bludgeoning weapon as well as a bladed one. The weapon, which can be wielded only by you, has the same threat range and critical multipliers as a real weapon of its form. It has no special modifiers to hit or damage, instead using your base attack bonus and any appropriate ability modifiers you possess. The weapon is considered magical for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Moonblade can only be successfully cast outdoors, with the moon at least 3/4 full and no more than 50% cloud cover. Should cloud cover increase to more than 50% before the end of the spell’s duration, the weapon will vanish. Similarly, if you move indoors before the end of the spell’s duration, the weapon will vanish.
The Book of Divine Magic. Copyright 2009, 4 Winds Fantasy Gaming; Authors Connie J. Thomson and Robert W. Thomson, with Katheryn Bauer and Sean O’Connor.