BOOMERANG: The most marvelous accomplishment in
weaponry by a primitive culture is the boomerang of the Aborigines.
A specially curved and aerodynamically contoured piece
of wood, the boomerang —when properly thrown—will return
to the thrower if it fails to hit its target. Ranges given for the
boomerang differ from those given for other missile weapons,
in that 1” = 10’ for the boomerang when it is used against a
creature on the ground, while when used against an airborne
target 1” = 10 yards. This is because the boomerang’s flight
pattern only allows it to remain close to the ground for a limited
time (and distance). Then the missile will bank either to the
right or left, depending on what “hand” the boomerang is, and
make a wide circle before returning to the thrower.

AlI boomerangs are either right or left-handed, and in flight
will always arc out to the off-hand side in a high bank which
restricts the boomerang to use only in outdoor settings.

A skilled boomerang thrower can seem to “miss” a target —
only to strike it from behind on the return part of the flight. Such
attacks receive a -6 “to hit” due to the inherent difficulty of such
a throw, although a dexterity bonus may somewhat offset this
penalty.

Most of the skill in using a boomerang is in the catch, so those
who manage to throw a boomerang properly but are not proficient
in the weapon’s use will be struck for normal damage on
the instrument’s return, unless the thrower specifically states
that he or she is avoiding the return in case the target is missed.
An improperly thrown boomerang should be treated as a hurled
club, at -3 “to hit.” The main disadvantage of the boomerang is
its fragility; the boomerang must make a save vs. crushing
blow (as for thick wood) every time it hits a target to remain
undamaged. Failure to make this save results in the weapon
becoming chipped and its aerodynamic properties harmed,
making it -2 “to hit” (cumulative for each time it is so chipped).
Should the saving roll be a natural “1,” the boomerang will not
return due to severe damage.

by Randy Bowman
 

New Weapons

Equipment

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Dragon #61

Dragon magazine