Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Suggestions & Feedback Why aren't slings in the game?

A couple of things to mention about slings:

First, to put slings into a CRPG would require a whole set of animation for every base character type (so that any PC or NPC could use one in game), that's a lot of animation. Plus go look at a YouTube video to see how unique a motion using a sling is, also note how much room you need and the time it takes to wind up and throw and think on that for the type of combat mechanics this game uses. Personally I think the work would be worth it to include a sling animation set but a game development studio may not see the bang for the buck for the number of people they think are likely have their PCs use a sling. While I get that argument I would counter that more people would use slings in CRPGs if the they were given the option.

Second, and this is for those that think slings were not that great IRL, ancient armies that had Slingers used lead shot not stone and when used by a professional they had nearly the same stopping power as a .44 Mag. That doesn't mean they had the same penetration as a .44, or even an arrow, only that it had an equivalent punch as one at their optimal range. Imagine being hit with a ballpeen hammer by the strongest person on the planet and you'd pretty much get what it was like to be on the receiving end of a competent slinger's shot. Yeah, it's not going to penetrate most armors or flesh like an arrow will but it will definitely crush a skull, brake bones, and even do internal damage if you hit the right spot. There was a reason why even Roman legions still used them along with bows for hundreds of years.

So, to wrap: Yes I'd like slings in the game, no I don't think Larian will add them. Maybe, if we're lucky someone with a lot of time and skill could mod in animations and such... but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Anyway those are my two cp's