Is a short sword a light blade?

JVisgaitis · May 21, 2008

We're planning on playing KotS this weekend and I know the first thing that is going to happen is that the Rogue is going to want to ditch that dagger for a short sword. Do we have stats one? Also, does anyone have a link to the weapons update on the D&D site? I can't find anything on their website and unfortunately my D&D site index (i.e. EN World) doesn't seem to have it readily accessible either.

Scarface6174 · May 21, 2008

I think a rogue gets a larger atk bonus with a dagger than with a regular short sword. Not sure exactly why, but I think it goes that way.

Kordeth · May 21, 2008

Based on the halfling paladin from DDXP, a short sword does 1d6 damage with a +3 proficiency bonus to attack. It's almost certainly a light blade, but I'm not sure that's officially stated anywhere we've seen.

And Scarface is correct--rogues get a +1 to attack with daggers as a class feature, so it's not quite so much of a no-brainer to switch to a shortsword. It's effectively a trade off between an extra +1 to hit and +1 to damage (on average).

Ktulu · May 21, 2008

Careful, saying scarface is correct is akin to opening a pandora's box full of leet speak.

the rogue gets a +1 with daggers as it's a classic rogue weapon.

Since both weapons are light blades, both can be used for sneak attack, and (presumbably) both can use dex for attack damage.

Fiendish Dire Weasel · May 22, 2008

I'd keep the dagger. That +1 to hit is important, and what I saw of 2 Rogues last weekend, throwing them is critical to the Rogues gameplay.

JVisgaitis · May 22, 2008

What's the proficiency bonus on a dagger to attack?

Kordeth · May 22, 2008

JVisgaitis said:
What's the proficiency bonus on a dagger to attack?

Also +3, going by the pregens.

cdrcjsn · May 22, 2008

Fiendish Dire Weasel said:
I'd keep the dagger. That +1 to hit is important, and what I saw of 2 Rogues last weekend, throwing them is critical to the Rogues gameplay.

So very true.

If you don't do the "find cover/concealment + throw dagger with stealth" routine, you're gonna lose a lot of your sneak attack opportunities during a typical encounter.

prismra · May 22, 2008

Speaking of Rogues, what the hell is up with sneak attack?

You can only use it when you have combat advantage but the only way I can see to get it is to flank? What the hell happened to sneaking up behind a mo-fo and stabbing him in the gizzard?

Scott_Rouse · May 22, 2008

JVisgaitis said:
We're planning on playing KotS this weekend and I know the first thing that is going to happen is that the Rogue is going to want to ditch that dagger for a short sword. Do we have stats one? Also, does anyone have a link to the weapons update on the D&D site? I can't find anything on their website and unfortunately my D&D site index (i.e. EN World) doesn't seem to have it readily accessible either.

Short Sword +2 prof 1d6 light blade

Dagger +3 prof 1d4 light blade