D&D 3.x [3.5] Weapon size and use

[Conaill]

Keep in mind that 3.0 already had weapon sizes. And I'm sure there were some powergamers that tried to exploit them by picking the optimal combination of size and weapon.

The only thing 3.5 adds are (1) some consistent rules on how these off-sized weapons work, and (2) some much-needed restrictions on their use.

PS: Even if your DM doesn't want to use the optional equivalency table in the DMG, I assume it should be fairly easy for a weaponsmith to convert an off-sized weapon to an equivalent one that's appropriate for your size.

 

[Li Shenron]

Bump the thread to quote Monte's opinion:

Now weapons are organized by handedness rather than by size. Perhaps the worst change and almost certainly the largest step backward 3.5 has to offer, the new way of handling weapons causes a lot of problems. As you know, in 3.0, weapons were categorized by size, and that size was compared to your own size. So a weapon of your size was a one-handed weapon for you, a weapon one size larger was a two-handed weapon, and a weapon one size smaller was a light weapon. Now, weapons are categorized by handedness, and they do different damage based on size. Thus, it's no longer the case that a longsword is effectively a greatsword for a Small character and a short sword for a Large character. Now, there is a small longsword, a medium longsword (and by implication) a large longsword. So what's the difference between a large longsword and a medium greatsword? About 20 gp. Aside from that bit of humor, though, there's actually a serious design problem here. Because in 3.0, a halfling picks up a magical longsword and uses it in two hands -- no problem. In 3.5, that longsword (presumably a medium longsword) is -2 in the halfling's hands because it's the "wrong size." The DMG doesn't hint one way or the other, but logic assumes that you've either got to roll randomly to determine the size of the magic sword in the treasure hoard, decreasing the chances that any given character will actually find treasure he can use -- and that's not fun. It's more complicated, it's clunky, and it hurts game play.

www.montecook.com\reviews.html

 

[isoChron]

Can a human now wield a halfling longspear or greatsword one handed ?
If no: Why not ???
If yes: Wohoo, one handed reach weapon for a -2 to attack ... great. Spared me a feat (monkey grip).

By the way : Ancient greek warriors fought with long spears and a shield ... did they all have monkey grip ?

Why is (3.0) shortsword a piercing weapon ? Because of it's size ! It does have edges along the blade to cut (remember Legolas).
Now if you make a large shortsword it will have the same slashing capability as a greatsword ... so is it slashing or piercing ????
Why piercing ? I can pierce someone with a pointy greatsword, too.... is it now piercing ?
If I buy a greatsword with a sharp point will it be slashing or piercing but not slashing anymore ?

What I'm trying to say is that most bladed weapons are as well piercing as slashing. Same with axes with a spike...
So why make it a difference ? Because of some DR's or PrC's ?
Bludgeoning or Slashing(with piercing) is all you need.
BYE

 

[Ranger REG]

It is not just halfling and gnomes. Monster Manual will offer additional information for using monsters as PCs/NPCs with classes. This expand the option, assuming the DM will allow it in his campaign (remember Rule 0).

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Why piercing ? I can pierce someone with a pointy greatsword, too.... is it now piercing ?
If I buy a greatsword with a sharp point will it be slashing or piercing but not slashing anymore ?

What I'm trying to say is that most bladed weapons are as well piercing as slashing. Same with axes with a spike...
So why make it a difference ? Because of some DR's or PrC's ?
Bludgeoning or Slashing(with piercing) is all you need.
BYE

It's less the physical design of the weapon, and more the tactics of wielding the weapon as dictated by size. Shortswords are primarily used for thrusting, hence piercing damage.

It's all a simplification, of course -- you're welcome to come up with complicated house rules that take into account every possible weapon useage. With appropriate modifers against specific armors, of course. And speed factors!

 

[Ravellion]

The real fun is in proficiencies given by classes. Halfling rogues now use Small Shortswords... which do 1d4. Gnomish Druids have 1d4 scimitars.

Projectile weapons, especially composite bows, are also fun. How mighty can you make a Large Comp. Shortbow? What kind of range will it have? Will small characters now have 110 feet range, +4 strength bonus, but only 1d6 damage? (I could look it up but I have my books at home).

But even if they don't, for a -2 to hit they can gain +3 damage with ranged weapons. If you then take into account their +1 from being small, that stand for a net -1/+3 in comparison to medium characters.

I have already decided not to use this rule. I played with it one session and the added layer of complexity was even more cumbersome and worthless to us than the 2e to hit modifiers vs. Armour was.

Rav

 

[Destil]

The new weapon size rules. These clarify an essentially ad hoc and confusing system.

With a system that's equally confusing and ad hoc. There are only 3 weapon sizes now for each size... the human's tiny dagger is impossible to properly represent, being two sizes smaller than meidum. Now it's just light, like a short sword.

Even if the two systems were equally confusing and had equal benifits (which is debatable) there was no reason to change it because it will just create new questions.

Yes, it fixes the small issue of rogue weapon proficencies and size. How is disarming handled, though?

 

[Storm Raven]

Not quite. A Shortsword is a Piercing weapon, a Longsword is a Slashing weapon.

If that is a big deal, just use a butterfly sword.

 

[MadScientist]

Yes, it fixes the small issue of rogue weapon proficencies and size. How is disarming handled, though?

Good point, I hadn't even considered this until you brough it up! How is disarming handled now? Does anybody know?

 

[SpikeyFreak]

Is a medium longsword used 1 handed by a halfling? If not, they've made more complications that the old system had.

IMO changing what was a very simple and elegant system with a couple of tiny flaws to this complicated mess was a HUGE step backwards.

This is the only thing that I've seen in 3.5E that I haven't liked, and it seriously makes me want to cancel my order. Seriously, this is just stupid.

--Overreacting Spikey