D&D (2024) Longsword finesse when used 2H

[Bill Zebub]

If you give Longswords Finesse, why even have a Strength stat at that point? Just combine STR and DEX into one super-ability "Prowess" that is used for defense and all attacks.

Oh for f&@k’s sake.

Finesse only when used two-handed.

 

[ULTI-mages]

Elves no longer have longsword proficiency by default, and since ASIs are floating now, elves could make as much use of longsword proficiency as anyone else.

Anywho, I’m not sure two-handing really fits the image of the Dex-based fighter.

It's called leverage, rapiers actually require strength because they don't take advantage of a second hand, and yes while rapiers have a center closer to the guard they weigh only a little less then a longsword which is meant to be wielded in two hands.

 

[aco175]

@ULTI-mages welcome to the boards, hope you stay awhile and look around. If you have been lurking for some time you will see some people are big into real life comparisons and some are into saying it is a game. I find it a bit like politics and that everyone is sure that they are right, they do not think that they may be wrong and that the answer may be in between.

 

[Scott Christian]

Just my 2 coppers...

Dex already adds to armor class. It already adds to initiative. It's used for a lot more saving throws than strength. It's used for ranged weapons that reach further than strength based range. And, it's used in more skill checks.

But now we want it to do something even more?

@Bill Zebub I get what you want. I do not think it will break the game by any means. But I also get that players that have a character concept never ever want to have a give and take. Just like your ranger example:

Problem: as a Ranger, I want to swing a melee weapon with two hands AND be a good archer. Solution: versatile weapons are finesse when used with two hands.

You already can be good at both. But you want to be good at both without taking away from your constitution. As a player, it seems you only want something without sacrificing something else, which is the entire point of making decisions when creating a character.

 

[OldSchoolGamerGirl]

TBH I think all weapons should be finesse. It makes sense to me that you need both str and dex and wis (as used in D&D) for all weapon attacks.

I had a DM that played with the idea that you had to use the lowest of those 3 stats as an attack stat and that sucked.

 

[CreamCloud0]

i think we should have STR requirement finesse weapons and the longsword could be one of them, even if you're more effective using your DEX to attack with them there's still a certain threshold of strength you need to have to weild it properly to that level of dexterity in the first place, this would make STR more important even in DEX based builds

 

[OldSchoolGamerGirl]

i think we should have STR requirement finesse weapons and the longsword could be one of them, even if you're more effective using your DEX to attack with them there's still a certain threshold of strength you need to have to weild it properly to that level of dexterity in the first place, this would make STR more important even in DEX based builds

Yeah something like you need a +1 str to use a finesse weapon up to +3 and you need both str and wis of +1/+2 (either can be either) to get up to a +4 from finesse

but then if you are useing str you need a +1 dex or wis to get up to a +3 str and you need a +1/+2 dex wis (either can be either) to get up to a +4 from str

 

[CreamCloud0]

Yeah something like you need a +1 str to use a finesse weapon up to +3 and you need both str and wis of +1/+2 (either can be either) to get up to a +4 from finesse

but then if you are useing str you need a +1 dex or wis to get up to a +3 str and you need a +1/+2 dex wis (either can be either) to get up to a +4 from str

i was just thinking simple like how it is with armour like 'have a base STR of X or have disadvantage on all attacks made with it'

 

[HammerMan]

i was just thinking simple like how it is with armour like 'have a base STR of X or have disadvantage on all attacks made with it'

So mighty composite long bows?

 

[CreamCloud0]

So mighty composite long bows?

mighty? assuming you mean STR requirement then yes i don't see why they shouldn't be.

personally i would just retool the Heavy property to affect everyone equally(not just small sized species) without a having the corresponding STR value to weild it.