Iron weapons

[AxeMental]

This is interesting, but I want to know if you guys ignore it like Matthew, or actually employ the concept.

Thats one of the cool specifics of the game that gives it it's unique flavor. Why the heck ignore it?

[Matthew]

Thats one of the cool specifics of the game that gives it it's unique flavor. Why the heck ignore it?

Probably the more pertinent question is, "has this ever come up in any game you ever played?" I mean, seriously, when was the last time a character went up against a demon with an "iron" weapon that was not magical? To me, this is one of those "theoretical" weaknesses that never sees actual play, so in practical terms gets ignored. Of course, it also rapidly loses its flavour when you are compelled to make modern scientific differentiations between iron (< 0.2% carbon content) and steel (=> 0.2%, but < 2.1% carbon content). I wonder what grade of purity makes for a "silver" weapon?

[Kellri]

I like the idea, from what Myth said earlier - its a real tradition in European mythology. In AD&D, demons are rarely encountered, and it seems like a way for lower-lvl parties in a low magic campaign to face them without getting slaughtered.

[AxeMental]

Thats one of the cool specifics of the game that gives it it's unique flavor. Why the heck ignore it?

Probably the more pertinent question is, "has this ever come up in any game you ever played?" I mean, seriously, when was the last time a character went up against a demon with an "iron" weapon that was not magical? To me, this is one of those "theoretical" weaknesses that never sees actual play, so in practical terms gets ignored. Of course, it also rapidly loses its flavour when you are compelled to make modern scientific differentiations between iron (< 0.2% carbon content) and steel (=> 0.2%, but < 2.1% carbon content). I wonder what grade of purity makes for a "silver" weapon?

I'd say just enough alloy to make it function, but inferior to real weapons in longevity (holding an edge or breaking).

Btw, we've on occasion used iron weapons to fight demons. Its been 20 years or so, so I don't remember the specifics of the games, and I don't recall how the PCs knew to use iron or why they had it (perhaps the players knew in advance they were going up against demons). Typically most PCs have magic by that point, but it does happen.

[genghisdon]

Iron weapons are extremely valuable when plane traveling, as magic weapons often loose their + & are no longer considered magical.

I use demons quite a bit, and sometimes characters don't have a magic weapon &/or offhand weapon &/or missles &/or secondary weapon (after the demon uses telekinesis to steal their magic weapon).

[Bargle]

Game of thrones mini spoiler









Jrr martin puts this rule to good effect (substituting obsidian for cold iron). The benefit is that you can equip a force of normal men with iron weapons to fight a battle, without paying out the nose for +1 weapons. So, you discover an ancient tomb with 100 cold iron arrow heads and given them to your men-at-arms for the upcoming battle.

[grodog]

But, if memory serves, there's a long tradition in English literature of cold iron and faeries not getting along.

As to the OP's actual question: I ignore this tidbit. I've never had players involved enough to know or care. And I don't generally use demons and devils in my games anyway.

I love demons, devils, demodands, daemons, hags, et al, and use them extensively in my games, so having non-magical weapons to strike successfully is quite useful.

In general, I treat cold iron weapons as being non-alloyed with steel (the "iron" part), and not forged (the "cold" part). Viz-a-viz Matthew, though, I don't go into specifics of purity or composition: the PCs have to locate a source for the metal, as well as a smith capable of working it (think of Walgrin's quest for Enlibar Steel from the Thieves World saga, and needing to find the smith Balustrus to forge his weaponry). In general, I follow the pricing for silver weapons, but usually increase the cost for cold iron, since it's less common/ornamental. IIRC I pegged another mineral vulnerability for daemons, but can't recall it off the top of my head.

In terms of house rules, I usually allow a cold-iron weapon (or another specific weapon type in play against the corresponding vulnerability) that's magical to still strike vulnerable creatures down one plus: i.e., a +2 cold iron sword would still be able to hit and damage Orcus at full damage (as if it was +3), a +1 cold iron weapon could strike Demogorgon, etc. In practice, though, this has rarely come up after ~7th level or so, since players usually have magical weaponry that supercedes the cold iron benefit (missile weapons being the general exception, and, well, unless they accidentally mention a demon prince's name and I roll low ).

[Gray Mouser]

Poul Anderson uses the "cold iron" effect in his books Three Hearts, Three Lions and The Broken Sword. Besides general folk lore (fey creatures having an aversion if not out and out vulnerability to implements made of iron) I imagine Gary got some inspiration from these works. I've actually considered giving fey beings, including elves, such a vulnerability in an upcoming campaign. Not sure, however.

I asked him about the use of iron weapons in his campaign some years ago on his enworld Q&A thread and, IIRC, he mentioned that a few PC's had such weapons specially made at one point.

Gray Mouser

[T. Foster]

In my OD&D games fairies (a PC race of my own creation) suffer double damage from iron weapons. But on the plus side, they can fly

[Juju EyeBall]

In my OD&D games fairies (a PC race of my own creation) suffer double damage from iron weapons. But on the plus side, they can fly

But do they wear boots?

[Philotomy Jurament]

But do they wear boots?

And dance with dwarfs?

[TRP]

You guys've gone too far.

[Philotomy Jurament]

You guys've gone too far.

Yeah, we often seem to do that. But it's...all right now.

[TRP]

I thought it was because smokin' and trippin' is all that you do.

[Philotomy Jurament]

I thought it was because smokin' and trippin' is all that you do.

Hmmm...