Underwater: Ranged Weapons and Bludgeoning Weapons

[Vlaid]

Give all ranged weapons underwater something like a -4 AB and -1 APR penalty unless they are a crossbow or have bHarpoon variable (one or the other or both).

The perceptions of ranged weapons underwater has shifted over the years, probably better to just handle it through some big penalties to make it as ineffective as you'd like.

At the same time, having all creatures underwater get a 25% bludgeon immunity or so similar to the fire/electric immunities/vulnerabilities granted would seem appropriate.

[Pandip]

% immunity on bludgeoning would be brutal for anyone wielding one of those weapons underwater, especially for quests like lizardfolk or sahuagin.

[Dredi]

You also have to consider that this would potentially impact spellcasting such as ice storm which deals bludgeoning damage.

Would it not be easier to apply a miss chance to a ranged weapon weilder without a certain tag on their weapon?

I'd be against anything for bludeoning weapons because the arguement that water slows your movements and reduces impact from attacks applies to all weapons and in a fantasy setting with stupid high strength scores  and things like that, it feels like maybe we should suspend a little bit of disbelief in that regard? - or just apply it as a mass negative AB buff to all weapons not suited for underwater combat.

[Nizzy]

From where I stand this is a great suggestion because it always bothered me to see people swinging large hammers and shooting arrows underwater. Fighting and doing anything underwater is supposed to be an extra challenge, for everyone, harder to cast spells, harder for the archers who have to draw their knives, it should also be harder on the mace swinging guy, who could just draw his favorite bootknife. There's a reason water related concepts involve harpoons, spears and tridents, and it would be nice to have it reflected mechanically.

[SamB123]

You also have to consider that this would potentially impact spellcasting such as ice storm which deals bludgeoning damage.

But uh... in the context of Underwater, your spellcasters already have a heavy penalty.

[Vlaid]

% immunity on bludgeoning would be brutal for anyone wielding one of those weapons underwater, especially for quests like lizardfolk or sahuagin.

No more brutal than a spellcaster trying to spellcast underwater, pretty minor inconvenience and there is always the option to switch weapons similar to what people do when fighting skeletons