D&D 5E Balance Query Re: Homebrew Weapons

[doctorbadwolf]

So, I’m not worried about realism or if there is a direct cognate weapon IRL, but in my FR game there is a Dragonborn/Tymantheran weapon that is basically a versatile scimitar.

So, slashing, 1d6 versatile 1d8, finesse.

I can’t see any balance issue, here, but others who are more balance-cautious might. Seems like mechanically a little less good than a rapier.

Also, what about a Martial handaxe that is just a finesse handaxe? Is the bump to Martial enough to add a trait like finesse?

 

[DND_Reborn]

I don't see any issues with the scimitar you presented. We have all versatile weapons can be used either as heavy or finesse when using two-hands.

I don't see any issue with the handaxe being finesse, either. I think any light weapon should have the finesse property as well.

All that being said, I think you will more likely get blow-back from people who complain "DEX is already too damn good, stop adding more finesse weapons!!!" (head explodes).

For our table, to counter it, we made it so damage is only modified by STR, even for finesse weapons. So, a high-DEX character with average strength can use the DEX to hit more often (representing their edge in accuracy), but the weapon won't do extra damage (since no STR mod.).

We like it. It works well for us and balances everything nicely.

 

[TwoSix]

No balance issues. As you pointed out, it's an inferior rapier. The only upside is that it can benefit from dueling or GWF style.

 

[Jediking]

Finesse and Versatile are pretty much ribbon tags to any weapon. You can add one or both to any item and it wouldn't break anything past Tier 1.

 

[Laurefindel]

So, I’m not worried about realism or if there is a direct cognate weapon IRL, but in my FR game there is a Dragonborn/Tymantheran weapon that is basically a versatile scimitar.

So, slashing, 1d6 versatile 1d8, finesse.

It follows the internal weapon pattern. The "worst" I can see (that isn't possible at the moment) is having a finesse weapon compatible with great-weapon fighting style. I don't see any huge balance issue there. It doesn't have "heavy", so no dex-based power-attack shenanigans.

I'm trying to think of other uses of wielding a weapon with two hands that is currently incompatible with finesse weapons. Nothing comes to mind...

 

[Charlaquin]

So, I’m not worried about realism or if there is a direct cognate weapon IRL, but in my FR game there is a Dragonborn/Tymantheran weapon that is basically a versatile scimitar.

So, slashing, 1d6 versatile 1d8, finesse.

I can’t see any balance issue, here, but others who are more balance-cautious might. Seems like mechanically a little less good than a rapier.

Yep, seems totally fine. I’d even give it 2d4 instead of 1d8 in two hands just to make it a little more appealing compared to a rapier.

Also, what about a Martial handaxe that is just a finesse handaxe? Is the bump to Martial enough to add a trait like finesse?

Handaxe is already very strong for a simple weapon. Bumping it to martial and giving it finesse while retaining light and thrown would make it strictly better than a shortsword or a scimitar. I would say either drop light or thrown if you give it finesse, or drop the damage die down to a d4. D4 light, finesse, thrown, and versatile (1d6) could be fun, and feels pretty balanced against other finesse weapons, other thrown weapons, and other versatile weapons, IMO.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

It follows the internal weapon pattern. The "worst" I can see (that isn't possible at the moment) is having a finesse weapon compatible with great-weapon fighting style. I don't see any huge balance issue there. It doesn't have "heavy", so no dex-based power-attack shenanigans.

I'm trying to think of other uses of wielding a weapon with two hands that is currently incompatible with finesse weapons. Nothing comes to mind...

Yep, seems totally fine. I’d even give it 2d4 instead of 1d8 in two hands just to make it a little more appealing compared to a rapier.


Handaxe is already very strong for a simple weapon. Bumping it to martial and giving it finesse while retaining light and thrown would make it strictly better than a shortsword or a scimitar. I would say either drop light or thrown if you give it finesse, or drop the damage die down to a d4. D4 light, finesse, thrown, and versatile (1d6) could be fun, and feels pretty balanced against other finesse weapons, other thrown weapons, and other versatile weapons, IMO.

2d4 would be interesting, yeah. I like that.

The handaxe I’m less sure of. The weapon table needs more variations of dice and properties...tbh IMO the handaxe should be finesse anyway, and if that means short sword andscimitar need a boost...okay. OTOH, I don’t wanna rebalance weapons in general.

 

[Charlaquin]

2d4 would be interesting, yeah. I like that.

The handaxe I’m less sure of. The weapon table needs more variations of dice and properties...tbh IMO the handaxe should be finesse anyway, and if that means short sword andscimitar need a boost...okay. OTOH, I don’t wanna rebalance weapons in general.

If you give the handaxe finesse you should definitely make it 1d4. If you make a 1d6 light finesse thrown martial weapon... Just be prepared for it to be the only weapon dual-wielding characters ever use, I guess.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

So, I’m not worried about realism or if there is a direct cognate weapon IRL, but in my FR game there is a Dragonborn/Tymantheran weapon that is basically a versatile scimitar.

So, slashing, 1d6 versatile 1d8, finesse.

I can’t see any balance issue, here, but others who are more balance-cautious might. Seems like mechanically a little less good than a rapier.

What does this weapon look like?

The concept of a versatile finesse weapon makes me twitch a little in terms of concept, but I can't see any balance issues.
I would avoid changing damage to 2d4 however I think. That would have a lot of synergy with the Two-handed style.

Also, what about a Martial handaxe that is just a finesse handaxe? Is the bump to Martial enough to add a trait like finesse?

Finesse is a pretty powerful addition to a weapon. As I read it this would just be an obviously superior Scimitar or Shortsword.

How would this weapon differ from a handaxe or battleaxe?

 

[doctorbadwolf]

If you give the handaxe finesse you should definitely make it 1d4. If you make a 1d6 light finesse thrown martial weapon... Just be prepared for it to be the only weapon dual-wielding characters ever use, I guess.

Well, that sort of thing doesn’t happen in my group, but yeah. But if it’s a d4 it’s just a dagger.

The only real solution is to either ignore my irritation that a handaxe isn’t finesse but literally any sword is, or add properties to the weapons table and rebalance the whole thing.