In roughing out a custom class to represent a gnomish arbalester, I found myself torn in two directions:
a) sneaky, distanced sniper
b) heavily-armored, drop-the-missile-weapon-when-necessary fighter.
Does either feel more correct to you? Any refinements/improvements you can think of for either?
I like the first one. I personally don't envision gnomes as being a natural fit for melee.
I agree with Beragon; Arbalester A is the way to go for gnomes. Maybe re-purpose B as a dwarf arbalester.
+1 to what J Bennett said... the second arbalester would work well for a dwarf.
Thanks, all for the feedback. A felt right to me, too, but I just couldn't shake the idea of a long nose emerging from a wee suit of plate. :)
Ha! Do that anyway... gnomes are known for "tinkering" are they not? I think your players will get a kick out of some crazy gnome trying to hold the front line encased in full armor that doesn't quite protect his nose!