Throughout history, countless siege weapons have been developed and deployed, ranging from the ballista, catapult, mangonel, and trebuchet to cannons. The availability of these weapons in your setting depends on the era being portrayed. Some weapons may not have been invented yet, while others could have been replaced by newer technology. In D&D, time periods often overlap in terms of available technology, as evidenced by the coexistence of various types of armour. The same can be applied to siege weapons; for instance, the ballista would be obsolete by the time cannons are widespread. Here is a brief overview based on historical research:
- Catapult: 5th century
- Mangonel: 6th-13th centuries
- Ballista: (3rd) 4th-5th centuries
- Trebuchet: 12th-15th (16th) centuries
- Early Cannon: 14th century
- Age of Sail Cannons: 15th-17th centuries
- Swivel Cannon: 17th century
*Note: The term "catapult" can broadly refer to torsion or counterweight weapons, including the ballista and trebuchet.*
For my setting, I have decided to focus on the 13th-15th centuries, with magic replacing other technological advancements such as steam, electricity, and trains. In this world, golems and warforged take the place of automatons and sentient mechanicals. This places the setting in the early Age of Sail, which will play a role in the narrative.
Each type of siege weapon can vary in size, but I have chosen to abstract these differences for simplicity, replacing them with appropriate equivalents.
Siege Weapon Table
| Weapon | Era | AC | HP | Size | To Hit | Range | Hit | GP |
|---|
| Ballista |
4th-5th |
15 |
50 |
Large |
+6 |
120/480 |
3d10 P |
200-500 |
| Mangonel |
6th-13th |
15 |
100 |
Large |
+5 |
200/800 |
5d10 B |
800-1500 |
| Trebuchet |
12th-15th |
15 |
150 |
Huge |
+5 |
300/1200 |
8d10 B |
2000-4000 |
Cannons
In researching cannons, I found references to Age of Sail cannons categorized by their weight in pounds, such as 6, 24, and 32 pounders. The 24-pounder is often recognized as the standard cannon in D&D. For my setting, I wanted a more specific and expensive technology, so I adjusted the prices accordingly to fit the unique context of my world.
Cannon Table
| Name | AC | HP | Size | To Hit | Range | Hit | GP |
|---|
| Swivel / "pounder" |
12 |
25 |
Medium |
+8 |
150/600 |
2d10 B |
2500-5000 |
| 6 pounder |
15 |
50 |
Large |
+7 |
400/1600 |
3d10 B |
8000 |
| 24 pounder |
15 |
75 |
Large |
+6 |
500/2000 |
8d10 B |
10000 |
| 32 pounder |
15 |
150 |
Huge |
+6 |
600/2400 |
10d10 B |
20000 |
A swivel cannon will weigh you down by 50-200 lbs, with each piece of ammunition weighing 1-5 lbs. A 6 pounder refers to the 6 lbs (pounds) of projectile being fired, 24 being the 24 lbs projectile.
Age of Sail
In my setting, the distribution of cannons aboard ships varies based on their size and classification.
- Mid to large ships typically carry between 1 to 4 24-pounder cannons.
- Huge to Gargantuan vessels might mount 4 to 6 24-pounders, or occasionally 1 to 2 32-pounders for added firepower.
- Smaller to mid-sized ships generally make use of 6-pounders, ranging from 2 to 8 cannons per ship.
These cannons are often complemented by traditional siege weapons such as ballistae and mangonels, serving as backups.
On Gargantuan ships, the capability to field trebuchets is exclusive, typically limited to one per vessel due to their size and logistical demands.
Cannons are strategically positioned aboard ships based on their quantity. Vessels equipped with only one or two cannons usually mount them in a turret configuration for maximum versatility. Ships carrying two or four cannons typically distribute them with one or two on each side (port), ensuring broadside firepower. This arrangement allows for a mix of older siege weapons, strategically placed both below and above deck.
It's important to note the physical demands of operating these siege weapons. Holding and firing any siege weapon by hand, without proper mounting on a solid surface, would significantly strain and potentially injure the operator due to the recoil and weight involved.
Comments