USING NETS UNDERWATER

Nets will prove useful as an adjunct to thrusting weapons underwater, especially if both of the combatants are swimming. There are several ways nets could be used.

Two or more characters could stretch a large net between them and foul up attackers or combatants by maneuvering it so that their opponents become entangled therein. This is most effective vs. charging or unsuspecting opponents, who will have less chance of avoiding it.

Nets wielded single-handedly in combat must be weighted. As the net is thrown, it is given a slight horizontal spin. The spin causes centrifugal force to move the weighted ends out, which keeps the net open and untangled.

If thrown correctly, it will slow and stop spinning as it arrives at its target, the weights then pulling the net down over the victim. 

Nets can be thrown one foot for every point of the thrower's Strength. Underwater races can throw nets an average of 15-ft, sahuagin 20-ft. 

Weighted nets can also be dropped upon non-swimmers on the ocean floor to drag them down or incapacitate them. Some battle nets have little hooks or barbs attached at every intersection to ensure that targets will be unable to escape easily.

All of the undersea races use nets, particularly aquatic elves, locathah, and mermen; the most adept of all are the sahuagin. 

They will often set ambushes involving many small nets or one huge net several hundred feet in diameter. These may be concealed in seaweed or left floating near the surface, disguised as something else. 

The sahuagin are masters of combat network as well, and will often fight with a net in one hand (to entangle and confuse) and a short, jabbing trident in the other.

The underwater combat net is a difficult weapon to use, and player characters who attempt it will do so at -4 to hit (unless they undergo extensive training and choose the underwater net as a weapon of pro-ficiency. Such training must take place underwater).