D&D 5E The best solution for longswords

[snickersnax]

In past editions, longswords were a strong, iconic weapon choice for many races and classes. In 5e longswords have sub-optimal weapon stats but maintain some strange vestigial niches. Elves and rogues are automatically proficient in longswords despite longswords being an especially poor weapon choice for dext-based characters and can't be used for sneak attacks. Longswords remain popular magic items (sword of answering, sunsword, moonsword, pictures of swords in DMG, popularity of longswords in published modules).

What's the best way to fix this?

 

[jasper]

Kill all the elves and rogues. No problem.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

What's the best way to fix this?

Remove Dexterity to damage for finesse weapons.

 

[snickersnax]

Epic fail, this was supposed to be a poll , but I got timed out. First poll problems... Is this even fixable?

Poll choices:

1) longswords should be finesse weapons.
2) RIP rapiers: go old school and replace longswords with bastardswords and replace rapiers with longswords. Eliminate rapiers from the game.
3) RIP longswords: replace elven and rogue longsword proficiency with rapier
4) RIP finesse: The whole thing is a mess and dexterity already too OP. Remove damage from dexterity
5) Everything is fine: game balance maintained.
6) I've got a better idea ... post below.

 

[BookBarbarian]

Include lots of magical Longswords in your game and let players figure out whether or not they want to use them.

Still I'd love a Versatile Weapon focused Feat.

 

[Oofta]

Accept that what was referred to as a "bastard sword" in previous editions has now been renamed "longsword". There never has been a clear definition of different sword types, there's a continuum of swords that met different needs at different points of history.

Many people would consider what D&D calls a rapier an arming sword [edit: or a side sword, or any other number of names], and of course there are other names for all types of swords that would fall into D&D's longsword category.

At least something akin to the standard D&D swords actually existed, unlike say, studded leather armor which is a hollywood invention (unless you count brigandine armor).

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

Play in a pre-Renaissance setting and ban all finesse weapons. Then the classic longsword will mean something again.

 

[snickersnax]

Accept that what was referred to as a "bastard sword" in previous editions has now been renamed "longsword". .

Except that they only did half the job, elves and rogues were never proficient in bastard swords before.

 

[Hriston]

In past editions, longswords were a strong, iconic weapon choice for many races and classes. In 5e longswords have sub-optimal weapon stats but maintain some strange vestigial niches. Elves and rogues are automatically proficient in longswords despite longswords being an especially poor weapon choice for dext-based characters and can't be used for sneak attacks. Longswords remain popular magic items (sword of answering, sunsword, moonsword, pictures of swords in DMG, popularity of longswords in published modules).

What's the best way to fix this?

I'm not sure what you mean by sub-optimal. A one-handed martial weapon that does 1d8 damage is on-par with other weapons on the list. The same goes for a two-handed non-heavy weapon that does 1d10. What exactly is the problem you want to fix?

 

[Warmaster Horus]

Elves can be strong. Nothing prevents you from stat-ing up their Strength to work well with Longswords. Longswords work just fine, too, when combined with Shields - better AC is a very good thing and a nice trade off.