I created a wood elf character for a WRPG game and equipped him with a quarterstaff as I wanted to give him an authentic woodsman feel (his primary weapon is the longbow) but I'm very disappointed with the stats for the quarterstaff. Not only are it's attacks quite weak (SB-2) but it doesn't allow for a free parry.

I've looked at several other rpgs and the majority of them count using the quarterstaff as if you were fighting with two weapons (as you can hit with either end). If this were so in WRPG it would grant you with a free parry, this would make sense as the quarterstaff already has the defensive quality like the shield which makes me think that it was originally intended to be used like two weapons but was forgotten somehow.

I really wanted to be able to use the quarterstaff as my characters ws skill is not very high and it would be strange him fighting with a sword and shield as well as a bow, the weight alone would be ridiculous but the lack of a free parry and the low damage makes the quarterstaff untenable.

I wouldn't mind the low damage if I could have a free parry or could just make it do more damage. It is a two handed weapon after all. Have you ever been hit with a staff?

So I was thinking of approaching the GM and suggesting either raise the damage to the user's SB and drop the defensive quality or to keep the damage as it is and add the free parry.

What does everyone think?

Does any other weapons give you a free Parry?

I see the Quarterstaff is Defensive, which makes Parry more effective. Isn't that basically the same?

It is odd that the Quarterstaff is not a Two Handed weapon, in addition to the Defensive trait.

It's a cheap weapon and thus at the end of day not on par with more sophisticated ones, but one can get a superior quality (fortune die on attacks) for a cost less than a better quality normal weapon (10b x10 = 4 silver, less than the cost of a dagger and just as easy to find after the rarity adjustment).

If wanting to give more flavour, I would instead allow "twin weapon" actions with it once a Specialization gained (balanced if it takes two hands to use) to reflect a "both ends count" style, if wanting to reflect a particular efficacy with it. Also as it is Defensive, take reaction actions that give you a bonus opportunity to attack when a foe misses because of your Parry, take the improved versions of Parry ASAP.

SB-2, users SB etc makes me wonder if you're playing Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd edtition? This forum is dedicated to WFRP 3ed, so you might not get the best replies to your questions here. I for one have played very little WFRP 2ed and could not give you a good answer if it would be balanced/good idea to change the damage to SB or give a free parry.

The little I remember about 2nd edition and my thoughts on it:

I do know that the quarterstaff in 2nd edition (similarily to 3ed) is way cheaper than most other weapons, so it would make sense that it does less damage. Certainly, getting hit with a quarterstaff hurts, but I would prefer it over getting hit by a sword (which in 2ed has SB listed as damage). The sword costs 10 GC while the quarterstaff costs 3 S, and then the hand weapon has no special abilities. The defensive ability in 2ed does give you +10% in your parry skill if I recall correctly, it's also pummeling which adds +10% when you strike to stun I think. So it does feels like it will become a cheap and powerful weapon if you boost SB or add free parry.

For a better answer though, I'd suggest a forum which focus on 2nd edition like this forum for example: http://forum.strike-to-stun.net/

If your question is about 3ed then valvorik and Ralzars replies are great.

Sorry, yes I should have clarified that it was second edition. I was interested in the strike to stun ability but that's not one of the skills in my career path so that put a hold on that.

I like the idea of acquiring the ability through a specialisation in the weapon and would make sense. I might suggest that.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

My argument always has been that if you're fighting with two weapons, that your off hand weapon would grant you a free attack, as long as it was a defensive weapon. Just as shields primarily are there for defensive purposes. So I would agree and say that yes, your quarterstaff would allow for that (as it is a two handed weapon, that can hit with either side), but also keep in mind, that if your GM as the optional rule of weapon and armor damage, that it could very well be cut in half from a well-placed strike...