Unearthed Arcana New Unearthed Arcana: Rune Knight, Swarmkeeper, The Revived

Another new Unearthed Arcana! "In today’s Unearthed Arcana, three classes each receive a playtest option. The fighter gets a Martial Archetype option: the Rune Knight. The ranger gains a Ranger Archetype option: the Swarmkeeper. And the rogue acquires a Roguish Archetype option: the Revived."

 

[Salthorae]

That's due to their disproportionate arms and shoulders. Their "wingspan" is greater than their height.

I mean, digression time, but says what 5e resource? Dwarves are "broad" per the PHB, but that still doesn't explain 2H sword use. 2H swords assume the ability to overhand chop. When the sword is taller than you, that is hard to do because of the downswing portion not being able to flow well, I don't care how broad you are.

To be fair, shorter humans should have the same disadvantage on using 2H swords if it's taller than they are, I'm not trying to be a speciesist (?) here

 

[Undrave]

Hehe, great point. And I'd say "why not?"

Given that Hill dwarves can be 3'10" based on the height/weight chart and they are medium, I have no idea why dwarves get to use 2H swords without disadvantage.

In the PHB they say Hill Dwarves are between 4 and 5 feet, not 3'10, but I guess it's not that big of a gap...

 

[Sacrosanct]

Well, the zweilander was 7 feet long. Between 1-2 feet taller than the person using it.
Also, I think a lot of people aren’t aware of how many maneuvers with a two handed sword are done. It’s not just slashing with the blade in big sweeps.

 

[Kurotowa]

In the PHB they say Hill Dwarves are between 4 and 5 feet, not 3'10, but I guess it's not that big of a gap...

Depends where you look. On the Random Height and Weight chart (p121) hill dwarves are 3 foot 8 inches plus 2d4 inches. So a 3'10" dwarf would be technically possible, but considered as much of an outlier as a human with the minimum height of 4'10". It's totally possible, I know there's a Japanese voice actress who's all of 4'9" tall, but boy does she stand out as exceptional in a group shot.

 

[RSIxidor]

D&D Beyond video they talked about how Rune Knight was originally the Giant Sorcerer.

 

[Parmandur]

D&D Beyond video they talked about how Rune Knight was originally the Giant Sorcerer.

So, as expected, the Giant Sorcerer is dead, like the Scout Fighter. Alas.

 

[Salthorae]

So, as expected, the Giant Sorcerer is dead, like the Scout Fighter. Alas.

Not at my tables, but yeah. Bummer.

They actually play well together from a party mix and even a multiclass perspective.

 

[PsyzhranV2]

Depends where you look. On the Random Height and Weight chart (p121) hill dwarves are 3 foot 8 inches plus 2d4 inches. So a 3'10" dwarf would be technically possible, but considered as much of an outlier as a human with the minimum height of 4'10". It's totally possible, I know there's a Japanese voice actress who's all of 4'9" tall, but boy does she stand out as exceptional in a group shot.

Aoi Yūki everyone (second from right):

 

[Tony Vargas]

I have no idea why dwarves get to use 2H swords without disadvantage.

Stubbornness.


(FWIW, back in the day, you had to be like 6' tall to use a two-handed sword, or a longbow, IIRC.
Actually, considering you said "2H swords" instead of "greatswords," you probably already knew that.)

 

[Salthorae]

Stubbornness.


(FWIW, back in the day, you had to be like 6' tall to use a two-handed sword, or a longbow, IIRC.
Actually, considering you said "2H swords" instead of "greatswords," you probably already knew that.)

Yup, I do remember those days.

Also I love the concept that dwarves stubbornness alone is why they can use weapons like that at no penalty. Makes me laugh and so on point with dwarves.