D&D (2024) The rapier problem

[Bupp]

I've always admired 13th Age's damage by class, but have never implemented it.

It would allow you to do the same damage no matter what weapon type you are using...light melee, two handed, ect. Everything else is just flavor. Your swashbucker could be using a rapier, scimitar, cutlass, kopesh...it doesn't matter. They are equally good with any number of similar weapons.

 

[TerraDave]

1d6 damage, with the swashbuckler fighter doing 1d8.

(there will of course be a swashbuckler fighter, right?).

 

[John R Davis]

My fix: if you use a Str based weapon in two hands you add your Prof in damage.
Simple, elegant and stops Dex being the uber-duber stat.

 

[Horwath]

My fix: if you use a Str based weapon in two hands you add your Prof in damage.
Simple, elegant and stops Dex being the uber-duber stat.

double STR would be better. it would give STR more meaning.

 

[Horwath]

Sample of a table that we are trying for melee weapons.
Not perfect, but it gives weight to every weapon trait.
Every trait reduces weapon base damage.
Boost to STR based weapons.

Weapon traits	Simple weapon damage	example	Martial weapon damage	example
1Handed, Versatile	d8(d10)	mace	d10(d12)	longsword
1Handed, Thrown	d6	javelin	d8	trident
1Handed, finesse	d6	long knife	d8	rapier
1Handed, light	d6	club	d8	arming sword
1Handed, reach, Versatile	d6 (d8)	spear	d8(d10)	partisan
1Handed, finesse, light	d4	dagger	d6	shorsword
1Handed, finesse, reach	d4	whip	d6	dagger whip
1Handed, finesse, thrown	d4	dart	d6	throwing hammer
1Handed, light, thrown	d4	pillum	d6	throwing axe
1Handed, finesse, light, thrown	d3	throwing knife	d4	chakram
2Handed, heavy	2d6	warmace	2d8	greatsword
2Handed	d12	greatclub	2d6	claymore
2Handed, heavy, reach	d12	pike	2d6	pole-ax
2Handed, reach	d10	longspear	d12	glaive
2Handed, finesse	d10	bo staff	d12	elven courtblade
2Handed, finesse, reach	d8	elven spear	d10	spiked chain

 

[John R Davis]

double STR would be better. it would give STR more meaning.

Nah, that's an ugly.
"Prof" for many things, is the way OneD&D is going
But each to their own.

 

[Mephista]

Is the rapier really a problem? Or is it just getting flak for being the go-to Dex melee weapon? 1d4 is the lowest damage, and that's daggers (finesse/thrown/conceal/dual weilding). Short swords are finesse/dual wielding 1d6. Rapier is just the finesse weapon with no bells or whistles - should it be on par with short swords or dagger damage without the extra functionality?

If 2 weapon fighting wasn't such a mess, that would probably be the go to option for Dex.

If thrown weapons weren't such a mess for Str ranged options, people wouldn't complain about Dex being overpowered as often.

If we had better feats than SS/xbow and PAM/GWM combos for massive damage....

 

[Olrox17]

Make the rapier a 1d6 damage weapon. Add the versatile (1d8) feature.

This way, the rapier becomes the “best” option for two handed finesse combat, a “normal” option for one handing, and a no-go for two weapon fighting.

 

[Shiroiken]

The rapier is fine, it's finesse that's the problem. Have finesse only work for the attack roll, not damage, and most non-rogue dex builds disappear.

 

[Horwath]

The rapier is fine, it's finesse that's the problem. Have finesse only work for the attack roll, not damage, and most non-rogue dex builds disappear.

This is here to stay, and I have 0 problem with dex to damage.

the base damage die needs to be bigger for STR only weapons as they are not as versatile that they can be used by both stats.