# Order of the Stick - Book 6 Discussion Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 3, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755 "2014-03-03T16:07:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 280
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5582 "2019-01-31T17:49:32Z")
It’s been suggested that it may be a [Hammer of Thunderbolts](http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/artifacts.htm#hammerofThunderbolts): > [@](#): > > **Hammer of Thunderbolts** > > This +3 Large returning warhammer deals 4d6 points of damage on any hit. Further, if the wielder wears a belt of giant strength and gauntlets of ogre power and he knows that the hammer is a hammer of thunderbolts (not just a +3 warhammer), the weapon can be used to full effect: It gains a total +5 enhancement bonus, allows all belt and gauntlet bonuses to stack (only when using this weapon), and strikes dead any giant upon whom it scores a hit (Fortitude DC 20 negates the death effect but not the damage). > > When hurled, on a successful attack the hammer emits a great noise, like a clap of thunder, causing all creatures within 90 feet to be stunned for 1 round (Fortitude DC 15 negates). The hammer’s range increment is 30 feet. > > Strong evocation, necromancy, and transmutation; CL 20th; Weight 15 lb. So that requires guantlets of ogre power (which presumably those are) and a belt of giant strength. I’m going to guess there’s one of those in the drawer that he hasn’t gotten out yet. I suppose he could borrow Roy’s, but Roy needs it too. Anyway it’s the perfect thing for kicking vampire (and lich) butt. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5583 "2019-01-31T17:55:55Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Reminds me of how, to Terry Pratchett’s trolls, the “dawn of time” means the end. I’ve read that there’s a tribal language in Africa that reverses the usual idiom of direction and time. They talk about looking forward into the past and that the future is behind them. The idea is that you know what happened in the past but future events can only be guessed at; so you must be facing the past with your back to the future. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5584 "2019-01-31T18:12:56Z")
Given that it’s a hammer made in honor of Thor, it’s got lightning iconography and special effects, and it comes with a pair of gauntlets, I don’t think there can be much doubt about that point. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5585 "2019-01-31T18:16:01Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > It’s been suggested that it may be a [Hammer of Thunderbolts](http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/artifacts.htm#hammerofThunderbolts): That stunning all creatures presumably includes the wielder and allies, so bit of a mixed blessing. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5586 "2019-01-31T18:39:01Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > That stunning all creatures presumably includes the wielder and allies, so bit of a mixed blessing. So you throw it more than 90 feet. The hammer has a range increment of 20 feet, so you would take -8 to your roll. But remember you’re stacking everything. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5587 "2019-01-31T20:04:21Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > So you throw it more than 90 feet. The hammer has a range increment of 20 feet, so you would take -8 to your roll. But remember you’re stacking everything. _30_ feet, so -6, if my maths works out (-2 per range increment multiple) , and with max range 5x increment for thrown weapons, that means max range is 150 ft, right? ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5588 "2019-01-31T20:22:07Z")
I’m fighting a cold right now, and the very first line of this comic made me laugh until I started coughing. 😃 A glass of warm milk to get _Elan_ to calm down. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5589 "2019-01-31T20:31:55Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > So you throw it more than 90 feet. The hammer has a range increment of 20 feet, so you would take -8 to your roll. But remember you’re stacking everything. Fighting indoors/underground, 90 feet is a lot but yes, I guess that is the solution. Reduces the value of the throw/return ability by quite a though, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5590 "2019-01-31T22:46:38Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Fighting indoors/underground, 90 feet is a lot but yes, I guess that is the solution. Reduces the value of the throw/return ability by quite a though, IMO. Not really. Durkon is a 13th+ level cleric so has a BAB of +9 or more and has Weapon Focus: Hammer since the hammer is Thor’s favoured weapon and will have a huge Str for at least +10 (because the bonuses now stack) and +5 for the magical hammer. That’s +24 to hit, less 8 for the range is still +16. So he’s still got a huge bonus to hit. That’s if the hammer is a Hammer of Thunderbolts. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5591 "2019-01-31T23:00:58Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Not really. Durkon is a 13th+ level cleric so has a BAB of +9 or more and has Weapon Focus: Hammer since the hammer is Thor’s favoured weapon and will have a huge Str for at least +10 (because the bonuses now stack) and +5 for the magical hammer. That’s +24 to hit, less 8 for the range is still +16. So he’s still got a huge bonus to hit. That’s if the hammer is a Hammer of Thunderbolts. I was unclear - I meant that they are unlikely to be fighting somewhere where the Order will be 90+ feet away from the opponents. That’s a really large room - I wonder if even that large hall they had the climactic battle in was much larger than that? And with both groups closing to melee, it won’t be 90 feet for long (although he can throw it at mages/clerics who are likely hanging back - but it still needs a big room. And he might be better off wading in and swinging it rather than using it as a ranged weapon). ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5592 "2019-01-31T23:00:59Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > _30_ feet, so -6, if my maths works out (-2 per range increment multiple) , and with max range 5x increment for thrown weapons, that means max range is 150 ft, right? -4. The first range increment is at no penalty. Also, do you use strength on hit rolls with thrown weapons? I think that still used your dex mod. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5593 "2019-02-01T00:24:30Z")
So, when _did_ Durkon’s original armor get all banged up? And when was the last time we saw his original hammer? ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5594 "2019-02-01T01:18:47Z")
Looks like he changed into robes between the Godsmoot and invading the Drawven Lands. Probably because of ROY SMASH! The hammer seems to have been left behind in the pyramid after Malack left with thrall-Durkon. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5595 "2019-02-01T01:26:35Z")
The other thing is that a DC 15 fort save isn’t that hard to make at these levels. A 15th level wizard with a 14 con (really low for this level) gets +7 to fort saves, and nearly everyone else is gonna be higher than that–so your lowest party member has a 35% chance to fail the save. Of course, most on-level enemies will also make the save. It’s mostly useful against a roomful of mooks. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5596 "2019-02-01T01:42:11Z")
And undead (like the remaining vampires and Xykon) will automatically succeed on the save. But it’s still a heck of a melee weapon. ---
**Author:** ![ebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@ebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ebb)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5597 "2019-02-01T01:51:08Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > But it’s still a heck of a melee weapon. And would punch right through an anti-life shell, if team Evil wants to try that trick again. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5598 "2019-02-11T14:34:28Z")
[1155- Elder Screeds](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1155.html) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5599 "2019-02-11T14:58:24Z")
Well, whatever that red ward thing is over the doors and windows, it doesn’t seem to be up for the task. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5600 "2019-02-11T15:12:49Z")
Yikes!! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/5601 "2019-02-11T15:42:25Z")
Some intervention is called for, PDQ. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755.md?page=279) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755.md?page=281)