Bolas were an exotic ranged weapon.[5]
Description[]
A set of bolas consisted of two or three spheres,[9][10] connected by long cords to a central point. The spheres were typically made of either heavy wood, metal, or leather bags filled with stones.[9] The cords were either woven leather straps, heavy twine,[9][10] or a lightly barbed chain.[11]
Weaponology[]
Bolas were held at the connecting point and twirled in a circle high enough that the ground could not interfere. They were then released and thrown at a target, with the intention that they would entangle and wrap themselves around the legs of the opponent, causing them to trip.[11] This primarily worked on bipedal creatures, though it was possible to achieve this effect on quadrupedal creatures as well.[11]
Because they required a lot of skill and practice to use effectively, bolas were classified by many as an exotic weapon.[9]
Almost any weaponsmith or leatherworker was capable of crafting a set of bolas, though they required exact measurements and weights for the cords and balls respectively.[3]
Notable Users of Bolas[]
- Avariel were known to extensively train in the use of bolas.[12]
- The fabled "beastmen" of the Forbidden Plateau were said to have fought with bolas.[13]
- Humans in Chult were known to fight with bolas.[14]
- Jungle giants were known to have developed a proportional equivalent of bolas for use in hunting big game in the savannah. Eventually other giant races began to adopt their innovative weapon and personalize it.[15]
- The Poison Dusk tribe of lizardfolk favored the use of bolas in incapacitating their enemies.[16]
- Bolas were among the weapons favored by the tabaxi of Maztica.[17]
- Tlincalli were known to fight with bolas.[18]
Appendix[]
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Appearances[]
Adventures
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ Rory Bowman (May 1982). “Or with a weird one”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #61 (TSR, Inc.), p. 18.
- ↑ Grant Boucher, Troy Christensen, Jon Pickens, John Terra and Scott Davis (1991). Arms and Equipment Guide. (TSR, Inc.), p. 108. ISBN 1-56076-109-1.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Aaron Allston (1989). The Complete Fighter's Handbook. (TSR), pp. 95–96. ISBN 978-0880387798.
- ↑ Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 155. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 117. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Claudio Pozas, Robert J. Schwalb (April 2011). Player's Option: Heroes of Shadow. Edited by Michelle Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 19. ISBN 978-0-7869-5745-3.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (August 2013). Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 196. ISBN 978-0786965311.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 115. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Richard Baker, Skip Williams (1995). Player's Option: Combat & Tactics. (TSR, Inc), p. 134. ISBN 0-7869-0096-2.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Rory Bowman (May 1982). “Or with a weird one”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #61 (TSR, Inc.), p. 19.
- ↑ Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 32, 34. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
- ↑ Dale Donovan (December 1995). “Liber Benevolentiae”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Conflict (TSR, Inc.), p. 18. ISBN 0-7869-0309-0.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 103. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Paul F. Culotta (December 1998). “...The Harder They Fall”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #254 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 36–46.
- ↑ Andrew Finch, Gwendolyn Kestrel, Chris Perkins (August 2004). Monster Manual III. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 96. ISBN 0-7869-3430-1.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb and Tim Beach (September 1991). Fires of Zatal. (TSR, Inc), p. 62. ISBN 1-5607-6139-3.
- ↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 245. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.