Sand Blaster

[Captnq]

Great. Someone pointed out alternative sources of sand so now I have to update the EVD.

SAND BLASTER
- MONSTER MANUAL 3 (3.5)

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Exotic Ranged Weapon
Cost: 30 gp
Damage (s): 1d6
Damage (m): 1d8
Critical: x2
Weight: 5 lb
Type: S
Ammo: Sand
A sand blaster is a Large exotic ranged weapon made from long tubes. It creates a 10-foot cone of sand, doing 1d8 points of damage (Reflex DC 22 half). Living creatures that fail their saves are tormented by itching skin and burning eyes, imposing a –4 penalty to AC and a –2 penalty on attack rolls for 3 rounds. The save DC is Constitution-based. (It relies on the user’s ability to blow a hearty gust of air through the tube). A sand blaster uses 5 pounds of sand as ammunition, and packing a sand blaster with one charge of ammunition is a full-round action.
Editor: Yes, the ammunition is free, it still sucks as a weapon.

SAND
- MONSTER MANUAL 3 (3.5)

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Ammunition (Sand)
Cost: 0 gp
Weight: 5 lb
Any sand will work in a sand blaster. Since the sand blaster is used primarily by those who dwell in a desert, sand costs nothing.
Editor: Yeah. Sand. Just a side note, where would you find masterwork sand if you wanted to enchant it as ammo?

So... Contenders for being turned into ammo. Mostly I need to figure out the GP cost.

BLACK SAND

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Mundane volcanic lands sometimes feature black sand composed of ground-up cinders. Other than its striking color, such sand is no different from any other. However, magical black sand is a vile peril, whether on the scoured surface of Minethys in the Tarterian Depths of Carceri (where the Plane of Shadow overlays the Elemental Plane of Earth) or in lands cursed by foul magic.
Black sand is infused with shadowstuff and negative energy. A region of black sand literally swallows light; magical darkness rises to a height of 20 feet over the surface. Nothing short of a sunburst spell can disperse this darkness, and even then only for a period of 1 hour per caster level. In addition, creatures that come in contact with the sand take 1d4 points of damage per round from negative energy. Upon reaching 0 hit points, they crumble and join the black sand.

I'm thinking this causes 1d4 points of negative energy damage and cloaks the target hit in a 5 foot area of darkness for a round.

LEECH SALT FLATS

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Ordinary salt flats found in the waste are dangerous enough simply because potable water is extremely scarce. Beyond that, in salt flat areas where the ground is suffused with arcane energy, the salt can drain moisture out of living beings.
A leech salt flat appears like any other salt flats, though it radiates a faint necromancy aura. Living creatures that travel across a leech salt flat require five times the usual daily allotment of fluids (see Starvation and Thirst, page 304 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide) to avoid becoming dehydrated, as the environment itself steals moisture from their bodies.
 traveler whose water supply runs out is in even more trouble: After a number of hours equal to its Constitution score + 4, the creature must make a successful Constitu- tion check (DC 10, +1 for each previous check) or take 1d6 points of dessication damage. A creature that takes dessication damage from leech salts is dehydrated. The creature must repeat this check every 10 minutes until receiving at least 2 quarts of water or until death. Leaving the leech salt flat extends the time between these checks to 1 hour.
Leech salts magically dehydrate victims, which means that creatures need not receive long-term care to become rehydrated; simply receiving adequate water clears the dehydrated state. Nonlethal damage from thirst cannot be recovered until a creature gets at least 2 quarts of water. Not even magical healing (such as cure light wounds) heals such damage until this condition is met.

I'd say it just renders the target dehydrated on top of normal damage. Although could I take THIS:

LIQUID SALT
- SANDSTORM (3.5)

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Simple Thrown Ammunition (Flask)
[Splash]
Cost: 200 gp
Damage (direct): 2d6 desiccation
Damage (splash): 1d4 desiccation
Range: 10 ft
Weight: 1 lb
This deadly supernatural substance can be used as a splash weapon. A direct hit deals 2d6 points of desiccation damage (2d8 points to plants or elementals with the water subtype). Every creature within 5 feet of the point where the flask hits takes 1d4 points of desiccation damage from the splash (1d6 points to plants or elementals with the water subtype). Liquid salt is always carried in a glass container.
Editor: Ouch. Now there’s non-standard damage I can get behind. As long as it’s living, and especially if it’s a plant, it will hate this crap. A bit pricy for a starting PC, but it keeps it’s value up until you start encountering undead.

And make a 5 pound dry version for the blaster? Sure, it'd be 1,000 gp a shot, but I'm going for sake of completeness here



MIRROR SAND

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When ordinary sand mixes with deposits of tin or silver, and the resulting granules are polished by windblown dust to a mirror finish, the sand itself can reflect light—and heat. Travelers in the waste dread mirror sand, because it is extremely unsafe to cross in the daylight. In addition to raising the temperature by 20%, mirror sand effectively blinds anyone who gazes at it—sometimes permanently.
A creature that wishes to make a Spot check while traveling over mirror sand must first make a DC 18 Fortitude save. Any creature that fails this save cannot open its eyes long enough to take a good look around. The DC increases by 2 each consecutive round that the creature has already been looking around. Plus, each full round that a creature’s eyes are exposed to mirror sand requires a DC 10 Fortitude save. If this save fails, the creature becomes temporarily blinded (see page 300 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide), due to damage to its eyes. The creature can make another DC 10 Fortitude save to recover from this blindness after spending 24 hours in darkness or with its eyes closed.
If, for some reason, a blinded creature continues to expose its eyes to the reflected brightness from mirror sand, it must make a successful Fortitude save each hour (DC 10, +1 for each previous check) or become permanently blind.
In the case of either permanent or temporary blindness, the spell remove blindness/deafness removes the condition immediately.
It is somewhat safer to cross mirror sand if one knows the route well enough to travel it blindfolded. Some desert dwellers do—though, of course, any creature traveling with its eyes closed is extremely vulnerable to nearby predators. If the terrain is unfamiliar, a creature risks stepping into a chasm or even over the edge of a cliff.

Basically makes the target make a DC 10 Fortitude save or go blind for 1 hour.

MOONDUST

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“Moondust” need not occur literally on a moon, although the airless lunar surface is certainly a waste environment. Meteorites, many of them microscopically small, con- stantly bombard a world that lacks a thick atmosphere. The clashing cubes of Acheron or the grinding of the Elemental Plane of Earth can also produce moondust. This action pounds rock into a mixture of fine, jagged fragments and tiny droplets of glass created by impact.
Without wind or water, the normal forces of erosion are not present. The tiny fragments remain jagged rather than becoming smooth (as ordinary sand does), and thus they stick together tightly. Their extremely small size allows the particles to float readily with only a slight disturbance and then to stick to any surface with incredible tenacity. The dust penetrates almost any fabric, coats respiratory passages, and clogs machinery. Even covering the nose and mouth is no protection against suffocation from moondust (see the Suffocation in a Sandstorm sidebar, page 17). Only an impermeable barrier, such as a mask of sweet air (see page 134), or an appropriate spell, such as Leomund’s tiny hut or avoid planar effects (from Manual of the Planes) can prevent the suffocation.

SUFFOCATION IN A SANDSTORM

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Exposed characters might begin to choke if their noses and mouths are not covered. A sufficiently large cloth expertly worn (Survival DC 15) or a filter mask (see page 100) negates the effects of suffocation from dust and sand. An inexpertly worn cloth across the nose and mouth protects a character from the potential of suffocation for a number of rounds equal to 10 × her Constitution score. An unprotected character faces potential suf-
focation after a number rounds equal to twice her Constitution score. Once the grace period ends, the character must make a successful Constitution check (DC 10, +1 per previous check) each round or begin suffocating on the encroaching sand. In the first round after suffocation begins, the character falls uncon- scious (0 hp). In the following round, she drops to –1 hit points and is dying. In the third round, she suffocates to death.

Basically, this ammunition would be a one time DC 10 fort save or start to suffocate.

SLIPSAND

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Tiny nodules of glass can form in the splash of a meteorite impact or as the result of a supernatural collision. Such particles have extraordinarily smooth, slippery surfaces. For this reason, a field of slipsand is far more deadly than the quicksand of the Prime Material Plane, or even supernatural softsand (described later in this section). The surface gives way readily under the slightest weight, swallowing up anything unfortunate enough to step on it. It is impossible to swim through or tread water in slipsand; a creature caught in it sinks to the bottom and begins to suffocate when it can no longer hold its breath (see page 304 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide). Even asheratis (see page 37) are subject to this effect of slipsand, despite their ability to swim through normal sand. Slipsand looks no different from ordinary sand or dust from a distance, and a DC 15 Survival check is necessary to notice it. Charging or running characters are not entitled to a check.
Pulling a character from slipsand is similar to rescu- ing a character from quicksand (as described on page 88 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide), but the DC of the rescuer’s Strength check is only 10 instead of 15, since slipsand does not have the gluey texture of quicksand. A character who fails to hold onto the rope or branch is not entitled to a Swim check, but immediately sinks to the bottom again.

If used as ammunition, I would assume it has the effect of getting hit with a grease spell for a round.

Now, for sake of completeness...

SAND PIPE

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- SECRETS OF XENDRIK (3.5)
Exotic Ranged Weapon
Cost: 25 gp
Damage (s): 1d4
Damage (m): 1d6
Critical: 19-20/x2
Area: 15-ft cone
Weight: 3 lb
Type: S
Ammo: Sand Powder
Designed by the drow, this 2-foot pipe is constructed of segmented pieces of a scorpion’s tail, hollowed out and made rigid. One end flares out slightly, while the other is smaller and contains a mouthpiece made from a dream serpent’s fang. In the center of the pipe is a small reservoir chamber that can be filled as a standard action. The pipe is designed to hold a number of different powders designed specifically for use in this weapon. These powders deal no weapon damage, but instead have specific special effects. As a standard action, you can blow the powder from the pipe in a 15 foot cone. A wind of strong force or greater makes it impossible to use a sand pipe. One free hand is required to use the weapon, but two are required to load it. Using or loading a sand pipe provokes attacks of opportunity.
Editor: How strange that the sand pipe can’t fire sand, but sand that has been treated and turned into a sand like substance. Still, it’s damn cool looking and the effect is scary when it comes out of the underbrush. Not the most effective weapon, but it’s got some cool options.

SAND, BLINDING
- SECRETS OF XENDRIK (3.5)
Ammunition (Sand Powder)

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Cost: 50 gp
Weight: 1/2 lb
This gritty black powder is made from finely ground sand and a small amount of powdered scorpion venom. When this powder is blow from a sand pipe, those caught in the cone are blinded for 1d6 rounds and take -2 penalty on search checks, Spot checks and ranged attack rolls for one hour. A successful DC 14 reflex save negates the blindness and reduces the duration of the penalty to 1 round. Creatures immune to extra damage from critical hits are also immune to this effect.
Editor: Blinding people is awesome.

SAND, BURNING
- SECRETS OF XENDRIK (3.5)

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Ammunition (Sand Powder)
Cost: 50 gp
Weight: 1/2 lb
This viscous white powder made from rare black crystals and the oil of a cactus found near lava fields, burns when scattered in the air. When blown from a sand pipe, burning sand deals 1d6 points of fire damage to creatures in the cone. Affected creatures take a -2 penalty on dexterity based checks for 1 hour. A successful DC 14 reflex save halves the damage and negates the penalty. The penalty can also be negated by washing the sand off, requiring 1 full round of complete immersion in water, or 1 gallon of water and 1 minute of effort. Creatures that take no damage from the powder, (thru resistance to fire, for example)  take no penalty.
Editor: Not as awesome as blinding someone, but combined with some fire-based WSAs, could be cool. No pun intended.

SAND, SLUMBER
- SANDSTORM (3.5)

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Simple Thrown Ammunition (Flask)
Cost: 30 gp
Range: 10 ft
Weight: 1 lb
Slumber sand is a supernatural hazard, but alchemists make a substance that mimics the hazard’s effects. A target struck by a flask of slumber sand must make a DC 15 Fortitude save or fall asleep for 1 minute. Slumber sand affects only a creature struck by it, and creatures with 5 or more Hit Dice have immunity to the effect. Slumber sand is more effective when a flask of it is used as an optional material component for sleep, deep slumber, or symbol of sleep. When so used, the total Hit Dice of creatures affected increases by 2 (the symbol of sleep affects creatures of up to 12 HD), and the DC for the Will saving throw increases by +1.
Editor: So, can I load this into a sand pipe? I don’t know. As a DM, I would say, yes. If so, it works in a 15 foot cone and only affects up to 5 HD of critters. If secrets of Xendrik had slumber sand ammo for the sand pipe, I’d say no. But if there ever was a weapon that could shoot slumber sand, that’s it. Oh, and it is VERY economical.

SAND, SUNSCALD
- SECRETS OF XENDRIK (3.5)

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Ammunition (Sand Powder)
Cost: 50 gp
Weight: 1/2 lb
Made from dried cactus flowers and the poison glands of a small desert spider, this pale blue powder causes creatures that come into contact with it to grow weak and more vulnerable to intense heat. For 24 hours after exposure, those hit by this powder take a -4 penalty on fortitude saves to resist the nonlethal damage caused by extreme heat. Affected creatures that take nonlethal damage from heat exposure also take 1d4 points of strength damage. A successful DC 14 reflex save reduces the duration of the heat vulnerability to 1 hour.
Editor: Leave this for the NPCs. This is meant to torture players, not for players who’s goal is to murder the crap out of your enemies.

Now then, to the discussion part.

I mentioned it in the editor's notes, can one use slumber sand with a sand pipe?
If I get 5 times the slumber sand, can I load a sand blaster and also do additonal damage? Since I'm firing 5 charges at once do I get more HD of "sleep" out of it?


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Also, modifying these to work with the sand pipe/blaster

EGGSHELL GRENADE, DUST
- ORIENTAL ADVENTURES (3.0)

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Simple Thrown Ammunition (Eggshell)
[Splash]
Cost: 10 gp
Alchemy DC: 20
Damage (direct): Blinded 1d4 rounds
Damage (splash): Blinded 1 round
Range: 5 ft
Weight: - lb
A favorite tool of ninja, used to create distractions, eggshell grenades are emptied eggshells carefully packed with various alchemical substances. A dust grenade that hits its target directly blinds the target for 1d4 rounds. A creature within the “splash” radius of the dust cloud (5 feet) must make a Fortitude save (DC 10) or be blinded for 1 round. Naturally, eggshell grenades are very fragile and must be stowed carefully to avoid breakage. If a character carrying these items suffers damage from falling, each eggshell grenade must make a Fortitude save (as if the character were making the saving throw) against a DC of 10 + the amount of damage suffered. Eggshell grenades are too light to be used in a sling or other launcher.
Editor: Poof! Blind attacks are nasty, the problem is having the item last long enough to use it. Fixed with extra-dimensional storage. The save sucks, but read it carefully. The main target doesn’t get a save, only the splash targets. No save touch attack blindness for 1d4 rounds. Awesome. Just Awesome.
Editor (Commentary-Shax): Thrown as a grenade-like weapon, so make a ranged touch attack with a range increment of 5'. A dust grenade that hits its target directly blinds the target for 1d4 rounds *NO SAVE*. Anyone else within the 5' radius splash must make a Fort save DC 10 or be blinded for 1 round. This is an amazingly effective weapon that works on a wide variety of opponents, but don't overuse this one or your DM will come down on you with a ban-hammer like a ton of bricks.
Editor (Energy Damage): The two types of energy damage to put on something like this is fire and frost. They simply have the best spread of stackable WSAs. If you are going with only official WSAs, stick with fire. If your DM allows extrapolated WSAs from specific weapons, I recommend frost. I speak off The Frost Shard. Combining Frost shard, frost, and energy aura, you can put +6d6 damage into your grenade for 1,376 gp for one. Not bad for a touch attack. It gets cheaper if you mix and match, but blindness and a frozen face are rather impressive for a sneak attack.
Editor (WSAs): Assassination is the obvious choice. You can coat this sucker with contact poison (it does not cause injury, so injury poison is out)  and whip it in someone’s face. Make sure to add virulent, so that the secondary effects kick in after 5 rounds. is a good choice for putting damage on this. True, it’s only +1d4, but it works with the touch attack. Then you can stack on other WSAs that require you to inflict damage. Strength Sapping comes to mind for the half speed and Dex/Str debuff. Clouting is also a weird choice, but when you blind the target, you would also drive him back 10 feet, possibly knock him down, and you also might stun him. A +3 bonus like that is usually expensive, but useful in ammunition. Dismisser banishes a foe on a touch attack and that +3 cost is much easier to swallow in ammo. If you fail to dismiss, they are still blind. Hideaway is a weird choice but it would fold and egg up to something you could put on a ring. Impedance is one of those WSAs I never use, but could work well with this to screw up a magic user. Forcing spellcraft checks is usually a trivial annoyance, but in ammunition, it’s not that expensive. Revealing will surround the target in faerie fire for a round. Combine this with seeking and as long as you know what square the target is in, an invisible enemy will be hit. Swarmstrike will allow you to blind an entire swarm in one shot. Torturous stuns for one round, but upgrade to the improved version for the better save DC.
Editor (Exit Wound): What happens when you buy this on something that clearly was never intended to go through people? The answer is, everyone in a line gets blinded and it does 1d6 points of damage to each target. Scary.
Editor (Explosive): Not a big fan of explosive, but for ammunition, this works. However, where the real synergy occurs is when you add in flying. Basically, you make a flying, suicidal, blinding exploding egg. It solves the problem of wondering if it’ll break open when you fall down a flight of stairs, and since they are a touch attack, it don’t matter that they attack as animate objects. They follow orders about as well as an animated skeleton, so you could have four or five of these orbiting your head and people will just think they are weird ioun stones. Then they fly off, slam into someone, then explode for 2d4 damage, blind the target, and if they miss, there’s still a chance for blinding everyone in the explosion if they fail the fortitude save.

The obvious question being, what happens if I use Mirror sand?

Also, assuming that 10 sling stones weigh 5 pounds, I think we can assume that if we get 10 charges of this, can we use it in a sand blaster?


EGGSHELL GRENADE, FLASHPOWDER
- ORIENTAL ADVENTURES (3.0)

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Simple Thrown Ammunition (Eggshell)
[Splash]
Cost: 60 gp
Alchemy DC: 25
Range: 5 ft
Weight: - lb
A favorite tool of ninja, used to create distractions, eggshell grenades are emptied eggshells carefully packed with various alchemical substances. A flashpowder grenade is effective only when thrown into a fire source, where it explodes in a brilliant flash of light. Any creature within 10 feet must make a successful Fortitude save (DC 10) or be blinded for 1d4 rounds. There is no effect if the grenade misses the fire (though the grenade is ruined). Naturally, eggshell grenades are very fragile and must be stowed carefully to avoid breakage. If a character carrying these items suffers damage from falling, each eggshell grenade must make a Fortitude save (as if the character were making the saving throw) against a DC of 10 + the amount of damage suffered. Eggshell grenades are too light to be used in a sling or other launcher.
Editor: I rather think it would be easier to fireball the eggshell then to throw the eggshell into a fire.

The whole needing fire to ignite them is easily solved with a sand blaster mounted with:
WEAPON CAPSULE RETAINER
- COMPLETE ADVENTURER (3.5)

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Accessory
Cost (Basic): 100 gp
Cost (Triple): 450 gp
Weight: - lb
Ammo: Capsule
The most common method of delivering the effect of an alchemical weapon capsule is the weapon capsule retainer. This long leather thong, wrapped around a melee weapon or a thrown weapon (but not a projectile weapon) just at the base of the blade or striking surface, holds a thin, fitted ring sized for a single alchemical capsule. A more expensive option is the triple weapon capsule retainer, which stores three capsules rather than one. A character wielding a weapon with a triple retainer can use one, two, or all three capsules it holds as part of the same action. Only one weapon capsule retainer (or triple retainer) can be attached to any weapon. Attaching a weapon capsule retainer to a weapon or putting a capsule into an empty weapon capsule retainer is a full-round action that provokes attacks of opportunity. Thus, filling an empty triple weapon capsule retainer requires three full-round actions. An alchemical weapon capsule retainer can be filled with a single dose of an injury poison. Activating the capsule coats the weapon with the poison, allowing the wielder to deliver toxic strikes with the weapon. A character using poison in this way faces all the normal perils of using poison (including accidental exposure when activating the capsule or with a natural 1 on the attack roll). It is a swift action to activate.
Editor: Everyone should have one of these. Every once in a while you’ll need to do just a little more damage. If you are loading poison into your weapon capsules, you need to buy the WSA assassination so you don’t accidentally poison yourself. Having compared alchemist’s fire to the quickflame capsule, I have determined that they are the same thing. For the sake of completeness, I see no reason why you can’t load certain other applications into the capsules. Bladefire and Vicious Bleeder come to mind. That is a DM call, but should work the same.

And a quickflame capsule.

So what sort of effect would happen by loading 5 pounds of this stuff into my sand blaster that ignites the flash as it goes off?


EGGSHELL GRENADE, PEPPER
- ORIENTAL ADVENTURES (3.0)

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Simple Thrown Ammunition (Eggshell)
Cost: 10 gp
Alchemy DC: 20
Range: 5 ft
Weight: - lb
A favorite tool of ninja, used to create distractions, eggshell grenades are emptied eggshells carefully packed with various alchemical substances. A pepper grenade that hits its target directly incapacitates the target for 1 round unless he makes a successful Fortitude save (DC 10). The target is treated as stunned: He loses his Dexterity bonus to AC and can take no actions, while enemies gain a +2 bonus to hit him. There is no “splash” effect. Naturally, eggshell grenades are very fragile and must be stowed carefully to avoid breakage. If a character carrying these items suffers damage from falling, each eggshell grenade must make a Fortitude save (as if the character were making the saving throw) against a DC of 10 + the amount of damage suffered. Eggshell grenades are too light to be used in a sling or other launcher.
Editor: See dust eggshell grenade above for ideas. Unfortunately this grants a saving throw.

Again, making into an ammo for a sandblaster. 10 changes = 5 pounds. Thoughts?

EGGSHELL GRENADE, POISON SMOKE
- ORIENTAL ADVENTURES (3.0)

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Simple Thrown Ammunition (Eggshell)
Cost: 150 gp
Alchemy DC: 25
Range: 10 ft
Weight: 1 lb
A favorite tool of ninja, used to create distractions, eggshell grenades are emptied eggshells carefully packed with various alchemical substances. A poison smoke grenade is effective only when thrown into a fire source, where it bursts into a cloud of vile, stinking smoke. The cloud spreads to a radius of 10 feet from the fire source, and has the effect of a stinking cloud spell: Creatures within the cloud must make a successful Fortitude save each round (DC 13) or become nauseated. The only action a nauseated character can take is a single move (or move-equivalent) action per turn. The effect lasts for 1d4+1 rounds after the character leaves the cloud. There is no effect if the grenade misses the fire (though the grenade is ruined). Naturally, eggshell grenades are very fragile and must be stowed carefully to avoid breakage. If a character carrying these items suffers damage from falling, each eggshell grenade must make a Fortitude save (as if the character were making the saving throw) against a DC of 10 + the amount of damage suffered. Eggshell grenades are too light to be used in a sling or other launcher.
Editor: Again, it would be easier to fireball the egg then to throw it into fire. Still, it could serve as a distraction. And it does last a few rounds.

See above trick with weapon capsule for ignition.

What happens if I use x10 the charges and load in a blaster?


GLOWPOWDER

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- LORDS OF DARKNESS (3.0)
- TOME AND BLOOD (3.0)
Simple Thrown Ammunition (Powder)
Cost: 50 gp
Alchemy DC: 20
Range: 10 ft
Weight: 1 lb
This luminescent dust clings to surfaces and creatures, making them glow. The grains of powder glow about as brightly as sparks from a campfire. They don’t provide illumination, but they are noticeable. When sprinkled on an object or surface, the powder helps reveal edges and details, granting a +2 circumstance bonus on Search checks made on the treated area. A creature sprinkled with the powder is likewise easier to detect: Spot checks to see the creature gain a +2 circumstance bonus. An invisible creature sprinkled with the dust has only one-half concealment (20% miss chance instead of 50%). Once applied, the dust clings and glows for 1 minute. A creature sprinkled with the powder can wash it off by taking a full-round action. The powder usually comes in a tube that allows the contents to be blown or shaken out. Blowing out the powder is a standard action that draws an attack of opportunity and creates a 10-foot cone. If carefully sprinkled, the powder can cover 125 square feet (five 5-foot squares). It takes a full-round action to shake out enough powder to cover a 5-foot square. The Alchemy DC to make one tube of glowpowder is 20.
Editor: Flour is 1 sp. Just saying.

So I only need 5 charges to reach my weight requirements for loading into my sand blaster.
Any thoughts on how that should be handled with this material?


POWDERED SILVER
- COMPLETE SCOUNDREL (3.5)

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Simple Thrown Ammunition (Bullet)
Cost: 20 gp
Alchemy DC: 20
Range: 5 ft
Weight: 1 lb
This fine silvery dust sparkles when held in the light and is contained in a half-inch-diameter glass sphere. A powdered silver pellet can be thrown as a ranged touch attack with a range increment of 5 feet. Alternatively, it can be loaded into a sling and used as a sling bullet. When it strikes a firm surface, the pellet bursts and sprays out the powder within. Any creature with damage reduction that is overcome by silvered weapons takes 1d6 points of damage and is sickened for 1 round if hit by a powdered silver pellet (a DC 12 Fortitude save negates the sickened condition, but not the damage). Other creatures take no damage from a powdered silver pellet.
Editor: Sickening is only a -2 modifier, so cost to benefit ratio is low.

5 charges to make 5 pounds. Effects when loaded into my sand blaster?

FLOUR POUCH
- DUNGEONSCAPE (3.5)

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Simple Thrown Ammunition (Calculus)
[Splash]
Cost: .1 gp
Range: 10 ft
Weight: - lb
This deceptively simple burlap satchel of flour is tied loosely on purpose. While it could be used to bake a loaf of bread on a particularly long expedition, its true purpose is to locate invisible opponents. You can attempt to strike an invisible opponent with a flour pouch as a touch attack. You still must pinpoint the target or choose a space to attack into, and the normal miss chance for total concealment applies. If you hit the target, the pouch bursts open, spilling white flour over a portion of the invisible creature. You can also throw a flour pouch as a splash weapon; any invisible creature standing in the space struck is covered in flour, as are all other creatures within 5 feet. Coating an invisible creature in flour lets you keep track of its position and reduces the miss chance to 20% (instead of the normal 50% for total concealment). While an invisible creature is coated in flour, its bonus on Hide checks is reduced to +10 if the creature is moving, or to +20 if it is not moving. If the creature moves through water, is subjected to a gust of wind, or spends a full-round action brushing the flour off, all the flour is removed from its body.
Editor: The chance of you getting this to work is fairly low, but hey, it’s a silver piece.

Now this one looks like it should work with a sand pipe. But if I load 10 packets into my sand blaster, should it do any damage? It's flour. Also, flour floating in the air becomes quite explosive. Just saying.



So:

1) your thoughts.
2) did I miss any contenders?

[Kethrian]

Alright, let's break down that save DC on the sand blaster.  A sand giant has 15 HD and a 21 Constitution.  It looks like the sand blaster's DC could be 10 + 1/2 HD + Con modifier.  However, the sand giant champion adds 5 levels of fighter and 4 points of Constitution, yet the save DC (after errata) is only 24.  So that seems like the DC is 17 + Con modifier.  Much more useful at lower levels for the players!  And since a sand blaster is a large ranged weapon, a medium character could use it 2-handed as a full-round action (no attack roll means no -2 penalty for a mis-sized weapon).  Small characters need not apply.


On to ammo:

Black Sand - Target hit?  It's supposed to affect a 10' cone.  I'd say it should create magical darkness within that 10' cone, plus an extra 5 or 10 feet out.  And anyone who remains in or enters the actual cone is subject to further negative energy damage, since the sand is still there.  Possibly anyone who fails their reflex save, too, as they'd have sand inside their clothes and armour (both radiating darkness and ongoing damage).

Leech Salt - Changing the damage to dessication (so it adds dehydrated to anyone harmed) sounds reasonable.

Liquid Salt - So 5 uses packed in to affect a 10' cone?  Seems fine.  Maybe direct damage to anyone failing their save, and splash damage to everyone else.

Mirror Sand - Yeah, I'd go with what you suggested, for everyone within the 10' cone.

Moondust - Sounds about right, though I'd also add that anyone with sufficient protection (as mentioned in the dust description) would be immune to the suffocation effects.

Slipsand - I'd also make the area count as if the floor was Greased, probably until something scatters it, such as wind or a large enough creature passes through.

[SorO_Lost]

I have always disliked Captnq's "editor notes" for a wide range of reasons. Maybe it's because he tries to do an informational listing but inserts his opinion in it. Maybe it's because he thinks changing the dust's color from 'brown' to 'black' does warrants additional houserules on something that already provides a stated mechanical effect flavored as partial blinding. Maybe it's because his opinions try to do stuff like pouring a liquid substance in a dust blowing system which really doesn't make sense. What I do know is Save DC's of Special Attacks as the Sand Blaster is listed use Racial HD, not Class Levels, so the guy agreeing with his houserules is also the guy that doesn't know how Save DCs work and you can take that for the grain of salt that they present them selves with.

Here is the point of fact. The Sand Blaster is an Exotic Ranged Weapon and you don't need houserules to come up with ways to use it. You simply need to think of your favorite Weapon Special Abilities, adding Morphing to turn your favorite Unique Weapon into a Sand Blaster, or interesting combinations from Class Features like Exotic Weapon Master's Close-Quarters Ranged Combat prevents you from being attacked from the Attack of Opportunity you provoke for using the Sand Blaster. Blowing anything other than sand, such as a really low amount of fine poisonous powder or corrosive water, is up to your DM and not us. We can suggest using supernaturally enhanced sand such as Black Sand, but you only gain the benefits those supernatural sands state they add, and trying to BS you with extras is just going to make you a munchkin that gets things banned off the table.

So to anyone else that wants to make a good handbook or guide on how to use the Sand Blaster, your opinion should not to be a substitution to the rules but an explanation on what the rules allow you to do (if even needed) and which options are good or bad along with an explanation of why you think so.

[Nifft]

How about good old Dust of Sneezing and Choking?

[Kethrian]

SorO, the sand blaster is a manufactured weapon, not a racial ability, so having its DC tied to racial HD makes no sense.  And there is nothing actually stating that it is tied to racial hit dice, as well.

And I get that you don't like homebrew or houserules whenever possible.  What we suggest here is nothing more than that, suggestions for others to use.  Everyone can make their own evaluations for their own games.

[Captnq]

I have always disliked Captnq's "editor notes" for a wide range of reasons.

Hence why I include them as Editor Notes and have, and will continue to, encourage people to submit their own editor notes. Unfortunately, I do not have the time I once did to work on this project. When I stopped taking active role in it's maintenance I encouraged people to take over for me. Add your own notes. Your own flair. Just keep me in the loop so I can combine your work with mine.

I have never claimed to be the end all be all. In fact, a great deal of my notes are actually other people's opinions. I am a speed reader, but I still only  have so much time, so a great deal of the editor's notes have less than a few seconds of review before being included.

I have, and continue to express, that editor notes are the editor's OPINION. In many ways I have contradicted my self in many locations, because I have tried to express all points of view in ever situation. It is, as I repeatedly state, up tot he individual DM to make his choices what to, and not to, include. More than one note addresses the players with "You should totally take this!" and then followed by "DM, you totally need to nerf this!" What is unbalanced for one campaign is underpowered in the next. So, you may dislike my editor notes, however, nothing has ever stopped you from sending me a list of "Editor (SorO_Lost): [string of words]" Which as long as it at least is relevant to the individual entry, i will happily and gleefully add to the EVD.

I'm sad to say, in the years since I started this, I have only had a handful of contributors, and not a single person since me has desired to take over my work and start adding his own. Not one person has desired to start adding their own handbooks, or even take someone else's handbooks.

So, while you may dislike my Editor Notes, You have not given me a reason not to include them. You seem to have a problem with the CONTENTS of the notes, not the concept of the notes themselves. So, to which I say, "Feel free to send me any corrections you wish."

So to be clear, this will have to be it's own Handbook, and not an addition to the Weapon Section of the EVD. The Weapon Section of the EVD, while containing proposed exceptions, is as RAW as possible. Just like I did not add Extrapolated WSA into the main WSA, even though I have yet to hear anyone tell me that my calculations were wrong. Some things, while as accurate and close to original as possible, are just house rules. Very strongly tied to RAW, but not quite RAW.

The main reason for the EVD was the fact that there is no new material being put out. Specifically 3.5 original. I do not like many of the changes to Pathfinder. I do not begrudge them, I just don't like how they handle certain fundamental game mechanics. So, for me, this is the only way I will get new material to work with.

I still DM, even if the group only comes together infrequently, and given that it looks like Xen'drik is next on the menu, I'm interested in expanding the drow of that location. The discussion thread that mentioned the use of alternate sands in the blaster is interesting. By RAW, quite impossible. There are no mechanics or even solid implications for how to load alternative substances into a sand blaster or a sand pipe. So, if I'm going to exploring alternate uses, one must be willing to try and fail.

I am fallible and I love to fail, for without error there is no clear path to truth.

I take that same attitude in all my endeavors. Better to rush in and fail, then figure out how I failed, then to spend forever trying to figure out how to do something "just right". I may fail far more than anyone else, but I also get more accomplished then anyone I know.

Unless of course, you have been working on your own version of the EVD you have not shared with me. If so, please let me know, then I can combine to the two forthwith.

[Captnq]

How about good old Dust of Sneezing and Choking?

Good point.

Dust of Sneezing and Choking

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This fine dust appears to be dust of appearance. If cast into the air, it causes those within a 20-foot spread to fall into fits of sneezing and coughing. Those failing a DC 15 Fortitude save take 2d6 points of Constitution damage immediately. In addition, those failing a second DC 15 Fortitude save 1 minute later are dealt 1d6 points of Constitution damage. Those who succeed on either saving throw are nonetheless disabled by choking (treat as stunned) for 5d4 rounds.
Faint conjuration; CL 7th; Craft Wondrous Item, poison; Price 2,400 gp

Now, this is a cursed item, so I assume if you used it in a sand pipe, you would be within 20' of the 15' cone AoE. So would it effect you? Or, would using it in the sand pipe allow you to change the 20 foot spread into a 15' cone?

I do not think it would be of use with a sand blaster.

DUST OF APPEARANCE
- DUNGEON MASTER’S GUIDE (3.0)
- DUNGEON MASTER’S GUIDE (3.5)

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This fine powder appears to be a very fine, very light metallic dust. A single handful of this substance flung into the air coats objects within a 10-foot radius, making them visible even if they are invisible. It likewise negates the effects of blur and displacement. (In this, it works just like the faerie fire spell). The dust also reveals figments, mirror images, and projected images for what they are. A creature coated with the dust takes a –30 penalty on its Hide checks. The dust’s effect lasts for 5 minutes. Dust of appearance is typically stored in small silk packets or hollow bone tubes. Faint conjuration; CL 5th; Craft Wondrous Item, glitterdust; Price 1,800 gp.
Editor: .

Now, could the use of the sand pipe change the AoE to 15' cone? It already is stored ina  hollow bone tube. One could extrapolate that you could use this in a line, if you wished.

DUST OF DISAPPEARANCE
- DUNGEON MASTER’S GUIDE (3.0)
- DUNGEON MASTER’S GUIDE (3.5)

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This dust looks just like dust of appearance and is typically stored in the same manner. A creature or object touched by it becomes invisible (as greater invisibility). Normal vision can’t see dusted creatures or objects, nor can they be detected by magical means, including see invisibility or invisibility purge. Dust of appearance, however, does reveal people and objects made invisible by dust of disappearance. Other factors, such as sound and smell, also allow possible detection. The greater invisibility bestowed by the dust lasts for 2d6 rounds. The invisible creature doesn’t know when the duration will end. Moderate illusion; CL 7th; Craft Wondrous Item, greater invisibility; Price 3,500 gp.
Editor: .

I would assume, that the fact it was not intended for AoE use, that this would not be a viable choice.

DUST OF DISPERSION
- MAGIC ITEM COMPENDIUM (3.5)
- MAGIC OF FAERUN (3.0)

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Price (Item Level): 500 gp (3rd) Body Slot: — Caster Level: 3rd Aura: Faint; (DC 16) conjuration, illusion Activation: Standard (thrown) Weight: — This fine powder sparkles like ground gems. You can fling this powder into the air up to 10 feet away from yourself to create a translucent cloud that occupies a 10-foot cube. Creatures outside the cloud can see into it and through it (though their sight is slightly blurred), but any ranged attack entering or passing through the cloud has a 50% miss chance. Creatures within the cloud make ranged attacks normally. The cloud persists for 3 minutes, but a moderate wind (11+ mph) disperses it in 4 rounds. A strong wind (21+ mph) disperses the cloud in 1 round, and any spell that deals fire damage burns away any part of the cloud in its area. Dust of dispersion cannot be used underwater. Once activated, this dust is expended and cannot be used again. Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, blur, glitterdust. Cost to Create: 250 gp, 20 XP, 1 day.
Editor: .

Again, Would it turn the AoE to a 15' cone?

DUST OF DISTURBANCE
- RACES OF EBERRON (3.5)

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Dust of Disturbance: Sometimes called insomnia sand, this powder appears to be a very fine dust of iridescent black and gray particles. A single handful of this substance flung into the air coats creatures within a 10-foot radius. Creatures sprinkled with the dust must make a DC 17 Will save or be prevented from having restful sleep and regaining arcane spells. The day after being coated with dust of disturbance, creatures that failed their saves are fatigued; on subsequent days, they are exhausted. A remove curse or dispel evil spell ends the effect. Dust of disturbance is typically found in thin blow tubes sealed with wax. Moderate necromancy; CL 9th; Craft Wondrous Item, nightmare; Price 4,500 gp.
Editor: .

Again, can be changed to a 15' cone?

DUST OF DRYNESS
- DUNGEON MASTER’S GUIDE (3.0)
- DUNGEON MASTER’S GUIDE (3.5)

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This special dust has many uses. If it is thrown into water, a volume of as much as 100 gallons is instantly transformed to nothingness, and the dust becomes a marble-sized pellet, floating or resting where it was thrown. If this pellet is hurled down, it breaks and releases the same volume of water. The dust affects only water (fresh, salt, alkaline), not other liquids. If the dust is employed against an elemental with the water subtype, the creature must make a DC 18 Fortitude save or be destroyed. The dust deals 5d6 points of damage to the creature even if its saving throw succeeds. Moderate transmutation; CL 11th; Craft Wondrous Item, control water; Price 850 gp.
Editor: .

Sine it's not AoE, i don't think it's viable ammo

DUST OF ILLUSION
- DUNGEON MASTER’S GUIDE (3.0)
- DUNGEON MASTER’S GUIDE (3.5)

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This unremarkable powder resembles chalk dust or powdered graphite. Stare at it, however, and the dust changes color and form. Put dust of illusion on a creature, and that creature is affected as if by a disguise self glamer, with the individual who sprinkles the dust envisioning the illusion desired. An unwilling target is allowed a DC 11 Reflex save to avoid the dust. The glamer lasts for 2 hours. Faint illusion; CL 6th; Craft Wondrous Item, disguise self; Price 1,200 gp.
Editor: .

Again, not AoE.

DUST OF IMMOBILITY
- ORIENTAL ADVENTURES (3.0)

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This dust is typically found in a hollow blowpipe. It can be blown 5 feet as a standard action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. If the character using the dust makes a successful ranged touch attack against an opponent within 5 feet, the target must make a successful Will saving throw (DC 13) or be affected by a hold person spell. Caster Level: 3rd; Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, hold person; Market Price: 300 gp; Weight:—.
Editor: .

Now this is a odd one. Designed to be blown, it should work with a Sand Pipe, but on the other hand, it clearly is only for a single specific target. I would suggest that since the Sand pipe is a 15' cone, so maybe if we upgraded to say, x5 charges to load. not sure on the math on this one.

DUST OF NEGATION
- LORDS OF MADNESS (3.5)

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This fine purple powder comes in a folded paper packet. When cast into the air, the dust creates a cloud of faint violet sparkles in a 10-foot spread from the point of origin. This cloud functions as an antimagic field, negating all magic effects within the area. The cloud persists for 2 minutes (or 2 rounds in windy conditions). Moderate abjuration; CL 11th; Craft Wondrous Item, antimagic field; Price 3,300 gp.
Editor: .

Again, can we turn it into a 15' cone?

DUST OF THE ZEPHYR
- ARMS AND EQUIPMENT GUIDE (3.0)

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This clear vial and stopper contains a small amount of dust. When released into a breeze, the dust creates sudden bursts of wind. In 1d4+1 rounds, an equal number of Small air elementals are created from the wind. The elementals are not under any control, although they can be controlled later through charm monster or other magic. They attack the nearest creature or creatures, continuing their rampage until destroyed or banished. Caster Level: 17th; Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, elemental swarm; Market Price: 7,650 gp; Weight: —.
Editor: .

Clearly has no used in a sand pipe or blaster.

DUST OF TRACELESSNESS
- DUNGEON MASTER’S GUIDE (3.0)
- DUNGEON MASTER’S GUIDE (3.5)

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This normal-seeming dust is actually a magic powder that can conceal the passage of its possessor and his companions. Tossing a handful of this dust into the air causes a chamber of up to 100 square feet of floor space to become as dusty, dirty, and cobweb-laden as if it had been abandoned and disused for a decade. A handful of dust sprinkled along a trail causes evidence of the passage of as many as a dozen men and horses to be obliterated for 250 feet back into the distance. The results of the dust are instantaneous, and no magical aura lingers afterward from this use of the dust. Survival checks made to track a quarry across an area affected by this dust have a DC 20 higher than normal. Faint transmutation; CL 3rd; Craft Wondrous Item, pass without trace; Price 250 gp.
Editor: .

Clearly of no use to either weapon.


PIXIE DUST
- ARMS AND EQUIPMENT GUIDE (3.0)

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This sparkling, silvery dust is created by several different fey but primarily used by pixies. It comes in long, thin, silvery tubes. A single tube’s contents finely coat a 5-foot square, and any passage through the area stirs up the dust for 1d6 rounds. Alternatively, the contents of a tube can be blown at a target creature as a ranged touch attack (maximum range 5 feet). A creature that stirs up the dust or is targeted by someone wielding a tube of the dust must make a successful Fortitude save (DC 15) or begin shrinking to the size of a grig (Tiny). In addition, the creature acts as though under the effect of a charm person spell from a 9th-level caster, obeying the person who spread the dust. Both effects last for 9 hours before restoring the person to normal. Caster Level: 9th; Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, reduce, charm person or creator must be a fey; Market Price: 2,700 gp; Weight: —.
Editor: .

Now, this is an odd one, for use in an AoE, but only on a surface. Otherwise it's to target a specific individual. Now, it does have an interesting mechanic, in so much that while it is AoE, it clealry only affects one target. So, we can extrapolate from this to have that if you do load Pixie Dust into a sand pipe, only one target can be affected. Since a 15' cone is an Area of 6 squares, we could then make the assumption that it would require 6 charges to make a single unit of Sand Pipe ammo out of Pixie Dust.

SAND PAINTING

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- SANDSTORM (3.5)
These clear glass bottles of varying shapes contain layers of colored sand that form patterns when poured onto the ground or on a floor. A DC 15 Craft (painting) or Craft (sculpture) check is required to produce the effect successfully. Pouring the sand provokes attacks of opportunity. If the sand is disturbed while being poured, the effect is spoiled and that bottle is wasted. Once a sand painting has been poured from its bottle, it cannot be used again.
Editor: .

SAND PAINTING, MANDALA OF PEACE
- SANDSTORM (3.5)
This conical bottle contains swirling, rainbow-colored sand. As a full-round action, the user can pour the sand into an ornate circular pattern with a 10-foot radius, producing a lesser globe of invulnerability and an area of silence within that area. The lesser globe of invulnerability lasts for 12 rounds, and the silence lasts for 12 minutes. Strong abjuration and illusion; CL 12th; Craft Wondrous Item, lesser globe of invulnerability, silence; Price 2,880 gp; Weight 2 lb.
Editor: .

SAND PAINTING, TRAVELERS’ OASIS
- SANDSTORM (3.5)
This spherical bottle is filled with a layer of green sand on top of a layer of blue sand. It takes 5 minutes to pour out the sand, over an area of up to 400 square feet, in the shape desired. When the pattern is complete, the marked area becomes a shaded oasis containing small date palms and a spring of pure water. The oasis persists for 24 hours and supplies enough food and water for up to thirty-six Medium creatures or twelve Large creatures. Strong conjuration; CL 12th; Craft Wondrous Item, create food and water, major creation; Price 4,000 gp; Weight 2 lb.
Editor: .

Included for sake of completeness, But I see no point to loading a blaster or pipe with a sand painting.

SKULLMARBLE

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- GHOSTWALK (3.0)
This item is made of a bleached mouse skull encased in a sphere of clear resin. When touched to an undead creature (requiring a melee touch attack), it disappears in a shockwave of positive energy, dealing 1d6 points of damage to the undead. It can also be thrown at an undead creature (as a ranged touch attack, range increment 10 feet) with the same effect. No weapon proficiency is needed to use the item. Up to three can be thrown as part of a single attack, each requiring a separate attack roll. Alternatively, a skullmarble can be used like a bullet with a sling, although it is still considered a ranged touch attack, and it deals only positive energy damage, not a bullet’s normal damage (the advantage is a longer range increment). If used against a target that is not undead, it still disappears, but has no effect. A character with at least 1 rank in the Alchemy skill knows how to grind a skullmarble into a sandy powder. This powder can be thrown as a grenade-like weapon up to 5 feet. Up to three marbles’ worth of powder can be thrown as an attack, dealing 1d6 points of damage per skullmarble to the targeted undead and 1 point of splash damage to any undead within 5 feet of the targeted undead. If used to target a square instead of a creature, undead in that square or within 5 feet of it take 1 point of splash damage. Caster Level: 1st; Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, disrupt undead; Market Price: 25 gp; Weight:—.
Editor: .

So, can be ground up into a powder and up to three can be used on a single target. I would go with 6 in a pipe results in a cloud that does 1d6, but to every under in the AoE. By it's nature, I don't see it as ammo for the blaster.

SLASHING SAND
- MAGIC ITEM COMPENDIUM (3.5)
- SANDSTORM (3.5)

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Price (Item Level): 2,000 gp (6th) Body Slot: — Caster Level: 10th Aura: Moderate; (DC 20) transmutation Activation: Standard (thrown) Weight: — A handful of thick, glassy black sand fills this small lizardskin sack. When you fling slashing sand onto the ground, it covers an area of up to four contiguous squares with razor-sharp obsidian shards for 1 hour (the equivalent of a spike stones spell). At least one affected square must be adjacent to your space. Once activated, this item is expended and cannot be used again. Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, spike stones. Cost to Create: 1,000 gp, 80 XP, 2 days.
Editor: .

I would say if you increased it by 50%, you could then load it into a sand pipe to cover a 15' cone with stone spikes, since you are increasing the AoE actually surface area by 50% So, total cost 1,500 gp.

Those are all the other items I could find with "dust" or "sand" related.

[Captnq]

POWDER OF SILENT PASSAGE

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- SHARN - CITY OF TOWERS (3.5)
This magic powder temporarily disrupts an active alarm spell or the warning effect of an arcane seal. The powder must be thrown into the area of the alarm while a command word is spoken. The alarm is suppressed for a total number of minutes equal to (21—the caster level of the alarm or seal). When created, powder of silent passage includes enough powder for three uses. Powder of silent passage is illegal in Sharn. Faint illusion; CL 1st; Craft Wondrous Item, Nystul’s magic aura; Price 300 gp.
Editor: .

Don't see much use to using it in a blaster or pipe.

POWDER OF THE BLACK VEIL

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- MAGIC ITEM COMPENDIUM (3.5)
Price (Item Level): 750 gp (3rd) Body Slot: — (held) Caster Level: 3rd Aura: Faint; (DC 16) necromancy Activation: Standard (thrown) Weight: — This sooty, black powder comes in a small tin, which is set with pieces of jet in the shape of dark-colored goggles. When you cast this sooty, black powder into an area, it creates a 10-foot-high cloud in a 10-foot spread, centered on you (but not moving with you). The cloud remains for 2d4 rounds, and any creature, other than you, caught in the area (or one that enters it) is blinded for as long as it stays in the cloud and for 1d4 rounds after it leaves (Will DC 13 negates). Once activated, a dose of this powder is expended and cannot be used again. Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, blindness/deafness. Cost to Create: 375 gp, 30 XP, 1 day.
Editor: .

Now, you cast it into an area, but no matter where you cast it, it is centered on you. So, No point in loading into a sand pipe.

[Captnq]

SMOKEPOWDER

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- MAGIC OF FAERUN (3.0)
This magic alchemical substance is similar to gunpowder. The substance burns rapidly, but is not explosive (though it can be used to construct grenades and bombs). Burning smokepowder illuminates a 30-foot radius. The fire lasts 1 round for every ounce of powder. It takes an ounce of smokepowder to shoot a firearm once. If smokepowder gets wet, it never again burns and cannot ever be used to fire a bullet. Caster Level: 9th; Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, 9+ ranks of Alchemy; Market Price: 25 gp; Weight: 1 lb.
Editor: .

So, again, Sand pipe and a Quickflame weapon capsule. Thoughts on the result?

[SorO_Lost]

SorO, the sand blaster is a manufactured weapon, not a racial ability, so having its DC tied to racial HD makes no sense.

Orly?

Because the Giant's state block expressly includes it as a Special Ability and uses that standard for the Save DC. So question, where in the rules does it state that it is a Light, One-Handed, or Two-Handed Manufactured Weapon? And if you want to use the picture, I think you need to look at how you can use Magical Items on Beholders as according to Dungeonscape's cover.

Fact is, you're making several assumptions on things because they sound good. To paint how dumb that is, look at Captnq's post.

Exotic Ranged Weapon Cost: 30 gp Damage (s): 1d6 Damage (m): 1d8 Critical: x2 Weight: 5 lb Type: S Ammo: Sand

The Sand Blaster specifically says it's a Large Exotic Ranged Weapon and it's damage isn't typed. By Captnq assumed it was Medium like how most other weapons are listed and incorrectly lists the damage, just like he assumes it also deals Slashing damage because most other weapons do not deal untyped damage. He made this assumptions based on what he perceives as normal but all he really did was just post incorrect information. And you're doing the same thing. So utterly convinced you have the full picture you're not even aware of how much of it you made up. And now you think you are trapped into rationalizing out a defense because you feel like you have to. But just like the other assumptions: you don't have to.

[Kethrian]

A sand blaster costs 30g gp.

Manufactured weapons are always given a cost, even if the cost is zero, such as a club or quarterstaff.  The sandblaster has a cost, and is categorized as a type of weapon that is not Unarmed Attack or Natural.  Care to show me ANY other creature with a special ability with those qualities and is not a manufactured weapon?  Care to show me ANY other manufactured item that uses Racial Hit Dice to set it's DC?  Didn't think so.

Yes, Captnq made assumptions that do not fit with the weapon's stat block.  My first post talked about how a PC could use it, with the idea that it has to remain large size in order to stay viable.  I have not made assumptions, but rather tried to reverse-engineer the item.  You, SorO, are making assumptions that it HAS to work one specific way, without providing any concrete data to support your claim.

And no, I'm don't think I'm "trapped into rationalizing out a defense".  I could have easily chosen not to respond at all.  Or, if you had presented me with a counter-argument that had solid points that convinced me I was wrong, I could have agreed with you.  It's been done before.   So once again, you made an incorrect assumption with no evidence.  In fact, this post is more of a counter attack to yours than an attempt to defend my position.

[SorO_Lost]

Manufactured weapons are always given a cost, even if the cost is zero, such as a club or quarterstaff.

Unicorn horns and human bodies have costs too, are they a weapon?
Trick question, as an Improvised Weapon they as a matter of fact, are.

Care to show me ANY other creature with a special ability with those qualities and is not a manufactured weapon?

So the really funny thing here is we're talking about Giants here. Most of them have a Special Attack known as Throw Rock allowing them to pick up something with a raw material value, or catapult ammunition cost entry, like a chunk of stone and treat it as a Thrown Weapon. Including giving it a Ranged Increment & Damage entry without turning it into an Improvised Weapon. Heck in the hands of a Hulking Hurler it even gains a Save DC calculated by a nearly unprecedented Attack Bonus modifier.

Care to show me ANY other manufactured item that uses Racial Hit Dice to set it's DC?

You mean besides poison? You know, that's a good one.

I mean there are the channeling-like ones like a Chuul Lasher is a whip that hits people and forces a Save against a Chuul's Paralysis which is RHD based and there are WSA's like the Viper where your weapon simultaneously becomes a weapon and a poisonous creature which has a matter of fact means the weapon has a Save DC scaled by RHD. I think I'd rather just point out the obvious; looking for a carbon copy of the Sand Blaster is a waste of time unless it can prove you right and that's your burden of proof to provide and besides failing in that area it's not like there aren't precedents that the MM3's printing, and second pass Errata correction on this exact subject, are some kind of typo. Using a Sand Blaster is a Special Attack, like go ahead and try to determine the Save DC using nothing but the Sand Blaster's entry I'm sure it'll take you plenty of time, but I can wait.

Didn't think so.

I feel like I just chewed you out for assuming something in my last post and you're still not getting the point.

Well I suppose in that case you'll just assuming you're right no matter what then huh?
Well I know I cannot fix stupid and it just might be hypocritical of me to assume I could fix you.

[ketaro]

You, SorO, are making assumptions that it HAS to work one specific way, without providing any concrete data to support your claim.

Sorry to interrupt but this quote from Kethrian literally cracked me up because you basically said that providing the Sand Giant's own statblock apparently doesn't count as concrete data to support a claim about the Sand Giant's own stat block...

[Kethrian]

@ketaro: I'm glad you had a good laugh.  Because it's really more that showing me a statblock whose very data we're trying to discern, due to information pointing to more than one possible outcome, can only point at one outcome.  Hey look, there's a T-intersection, so we HAVE TO turn left, since the other path doesn't exist.  See?  The sign clearly says so!

@SorO: And is the giant ability Rock Throwing a weapon?  No, it is a special ability that allows the use of special weaponry.  Rock Throwing does not have a gp cost.  The ammunition does, but the ability is not the rocks themselves, it is the ability to throw them.

What are the HD of black lotuses?  Because they must be insanely tough to produce DCs that high!  Oh, you meant natural poisons?  Meaning they're not manufactured?  Which means they don't qualify as a valid response to my question.

A chuul's paralysis ability is not a weapon, but rather something which needs a weapon as a vector.  I could have stated many such things to argue my point.  But they don't count, and you know you'd never let something like that slide.  So don't expect me to.  And a WSA that turns a weapon into a creature which then uses NATURAL WEAPON ATTACKS.  And uses the creature's own racial HD, not the wielder's.  Again you miss the mark.  Manufactured item, has save DC, DC is only set by ability score modifier, ACCORDING TO THE STATBLOCK'S OWN TEXT.  And you still stubbornly assume it's an innate racial ability.

And so, after you failed to give an adequate response to any of my questions, you again attack me directly with insults instead of my points which support my side of the argument.

[ketaro]

So I went back to read some of the problems being raised here. Since this has peaked my interest now.

SorO, the sand blaster is a manufactured weapon, not a racial ability, so having its DC tied to racial HD makes no sense.  And there is nothing actually stating that it is tied to racial hit dice, as well.

How does it not make sense? The only way to get a DC 24 on the Sand Giant Champion is if you calculate Base 10+1/2 RHD(15/2=7)+7(24 Con) = 24. The math, which is the same sort of math used by literally every calculation in D&D, apparently states that the DC is tied to racial hit dice. Numbers hold just as much ruling authority as words do in the books. Text is text.

But yanno what doesn't make sense?

However, the sand giant champion adds 5 levels of fighter and 4 points of Constitution, yet the save DC (after errata) is only 24.  So that seems like the DC is 17 + Con modifier. Much more useful at lower levels for the players!

That. Literally no reason for a completely random number like that to be the Base DC. Neither is there precedence created by any other weapon in this game for having a Base DC, before modifiers, to be anything but 10.

@ketaro: I'm glad you had a good laugh.  Because it's really more that showing me a statblock whose very data we're trying to discern, due to information pointing to more than one possible outcome, can only point at one outcome.  Hey look, there's a T-intersection, so we HAVE TO turn left, since the other path doesn't exist.  See?  The sign clearly says so!

Thank you, it was good
On to the much more charming part of your post, though; Of course you have to turn left, because the other path is homebrew. Of course there is only one possible outcome for the information presented in the only one, singular instance of a Sand Blaster in the entirety of D&D's printed official content; because it only shows up once. Which means you have to follow what the weapon claims it does because there aren't any alternative sources of Sand Blasters to compare it against.


As for all this alternative sand, powders, poison dust, whatevers as ammo... Well there's no problem there, you're just homebrewing some fun stuff to do with this randomly unique weapon that is entirely lacking in additional support outside the Sand Giant monster entry.

[snakeman830]

So I went back to read some of the problems being raised here. Since this has peaked my interest now.

SorO, the sand blaster is a manufactured weapon, not a racial ability, so having its DC tied to racial HD makes no sense.  And there is nothing actually stating that it is tied to racial hit dice, as well.

How does it not make sense? The only way to get a DC 24 on the Sand Giant Champion is if you calculate Base 10+1/2 RHD(15/2=7)+7(24 Con) = 24. The math, which is the same sort of math used by literally every calculation in D&D, apparently states that the DC is tied to racial hit dice. Numbers hold just as much ruling authority as words do in the books. Text is text.

But yanno what doesn't make sense?

Is that based on Racial HD specifically, though?  Because if it's just based on "HD," that value would remain the same for the Sand Giant statblock, but it would be very different once you add class levels to the mix.

[ketaro]

The sand giant champion has 5 class levels that are not being added in to the DC.

[PlzBreakMyCampaign]

This was going to be a good thread. I was going to go through all of it and reply in the way the OP desired. But then I read the 3rd post.

The thread so far:
OP: "I'm a completionist and found that we can have more ammo for a wierd weapon"
Keth: "Here's me going through your very detailed post"
Soro: "I don't want to read because it's hard and I'm impatient. Instead, I'll just sh|t on the OP with my magic formula!"

• Soro's Magic Formula: 1) I don't like your opinion so therefore 2) I'll accuse you of using houserules when trying to make sense of confusing RAW. Now I'll 3) split hairs over another possibility which 4) does not acknowledge the ambiguity of the topic. After adding 5) one useful sentence fragment, I'll say that 6) you should Stop Having Fun Guys because trying to optimize weak things I don't consider fun means you deserve to be called names.

(click to show/hide)

Nailed it! Citations in order: 1) "I have always disliked Captnq's 'editor notes'" ... 2) "he thinks changing the dust's color from 'brown' to 'black' does warrants additional houserules" ... 3) "the Sand Blaster is listed use Racial HD, not Class Levels". 4) Unstated by definition but at no time is it mentioned that the state block could have been using ECL as Snakeman finally questioned. Whether or not this is a mistake, no rules citations have been given, which should happen before any finger pointing. 5) "Exotic Weapon Master's Close-Quarters Ranged Combat prevents you from being attacked from the Attack of Opportunity you provoke" 6) "trying to BS you with extras is just going to make you a munchkin that gets things banned"

I could have sworn I had labeled this Magic Formula before...

Keth: "Why do manufactured weapons use RHD for DCs?"
OP: Have a long and nicely worded reply about how it's my own freakin' handbook and go be jealous of it somewhere else Soro or do the work yourself
Nifft+OP: "Dust should load like sand." Yes it requires a DM with a brain but I'd love to see someone argue seriously that it can't / won't / doesn't.
Soro: "Giants have Special Abilities that have their own DCs. Here's a red herring while I mock you for looking at the art in the books."
Keth: "Hey, um. This is a manufactured weapon. Answer the original question while I still think you are worth replying to."
Soro: "Unicorn horns are totally weapons as are human bodies. I'll just ignore the manufactured part and talk about Throw Rock. You're stupid!"
Ketaro: "Keth said something silly. He isn't looking at the stat block"
Keth: "Yes I am. But I'm still talking about manufactured weapons here. Answer the topic without insults."
Ketaro: "I'm confused. I've never seen a DC=10+x+mod format in D&D before. If x=7 I reject that D&D authors would ever do that. I'll not state why I think that those who disagree with me must be homebrewing an answer. After all, Soro got away with it."
Snakeman: "Uh, guys?"
Ketaro: "I think the stat block reads this way (but I won't say why)."

Me: I don't care. A DC difference of 3 or 4 or 7 doesn't matter. You're going to miss unless you have jacked con anyway. I will say that whichever side is "right" hasn't bothered to state the rules in order in a manner that forces a logical deduction. For all his supposed knowledge of 3e, Soro hasn't (or can't) do this and the OP has been so busy with actually generating good indexes that he hasn't bothered. I don't care who wins the pittance but let the race begin!

The OP is atleast right that what really matters is what you load the shooter with

[SorO_Lost]

Really, here is my take.
Captnq: Captnq was Captnq again.
Kethrian: I love houserules.
SorO: I hate misleading inaccuracies, less pls.
Nfft: The Core Rule Books did it better.
Kethrian: I disagree, and I'll assume this is the houserule subforum so I have no idea why you're complaining about houserules.
Captnq: I know my notes are annoying, that's why I tag then in an even more annoying way. But since I've been doing this I've never seen anyone help add to a Handbook or even seen someone offer to take over an existing one, mostly because I'm blind and love to fail.
Captnq: Oh yeah, I should list all the dusts too.
Captnq: Oh yeah, I should list all the powders too.
Captnq: Oh yeah, I should list the powders I missed in a separate post, hope no one misses this post.
SorO: You should stop assuming less.
Kethrian: No.
SorO: You're a lost cause.
Ketaro: I laughed at Keth.
Kethrian: I am insulted so I will use overdrama to complain.
Ketaro: You just don't make sense.
Snakeman: I to forgot Class HD is ignored, page 6 of the MM1 under Special Attacks & Qualities right? I'll go look.
Ketaro: Yep, as SorO brought up, the Sand Blaster doesn't define a DC but using the Sand Blaster is listed as a Special Attack.
PBMC: I'm still butthurt over SorO form last week so Kethrian I support you purely for that reason, allow me to retort with ad hominem attacks.
SorO: I'm bored.

[linklord231]

I think the closest comparison is a Pixie's Special Arrows.  They're obviously arrows, but they're listed in the Special Attacks entry and receive a racial bonus to the Save DC.  Being arrows, another character could presumably pick them up and use or sell them himself, but we don't have any rules for how that would work so we'd have to extrapolate. 
Which seems to be what Captnq is doing here.  All the information the text gives us is listed right at the top in the OP.  We know the Sand Blaster is a Large Exotic Ranged weapon, and we know it's effects when used by a Sand Giant, but we know precious little else.  Because it's obviously a weapon, we can extrapolate with some certainty what some of its properties would be when used by a creature other than a Sand Giant, but we can't know for a fact.  Nor can we know the effects when loaded with material other than run-of-the-mill sand, though again we can extrapolate to some extent. 
Like SorO, I wish Cap would be a little more explicit when he veers from fact in to extrapolation, but I can hardly fault him for doing it the way he does.  Everyone has a different line for what's a "reasonable extrapolation" and what's just plain homebrew.  Better to list everything that could interact, and let individuals decide.