Charlaquin
Goblin Queen (She/Her/Hers)
You could expand on this for ranged weapons as well. Bows are d6 simple, d8 martial. Crossbows are d8 simple, d10 martial and can only be fired once per turn (as per the loading property). Thrown weapons are d4 simple, d6 martial and can be used in melee. Fighters and rangers can use martial ranged weapons of all styles. Paladins can use martial crossbows and thrown weapons or simple bows. Barbarians can use martial bows and thrown weapons or simple crossbows. Clerics can use martial crossbows or simple bows or thrown weapons. Druids and rogues can use martial thrown weapons or simple bows or crossbows. Wizards and sorcerers can only use simple weapons.What if we just used broad weapon “styles” that come in simple and martial varieties. Single weapons are d6 simple or d8 martial and can be paired with a shield or open hand. Light weapons are d4 simple or d6 martial and can be dual-wielded. Heavy weapons are d10 simple or d12 martial and require two hands. Polearms are d8 simple or d10 martial, require two hands, and have increased reach.
Your class determines which “styles” you can use martial. For example, maybe fighters and barbarians can use martial weapons of any style. Paladins can use martial single, heavy, or polearm weapons, but only simple light weapons. Rangers can use martial single, light, or polearm weapons, but only simple heavy weapons. Rogues can use martial single or light weapons but only simple heavy and polearm weapons. Clerics and druids can only use martial single weapons or simple weapons of any other type. Wizards and sorcerers can only use simple weapons.
EDIT: On second thought, I might wrap throwability into light melee weapons and call the two remaining ranged weapon categories something like “hand-powered” and “mechanical,” just to expand the descriptive range. A bow is a bow, but a hand-powered ranged weapon could be a sling, an atlatl, a slingshot, a sling staff, etc. Similarly, a mechanical ranged weapon could expand beyond crossbow to a gun, or some kind of kooky mini-trebuchet, or whatever.
Last edited: