3rd Edition Newbie Questions

[taliesin15]

I am an old 1st edition player returning and learning the 3rd edition d20 system. I have a couple of basic questions:

in the 1st edition rules, 1st level characters had a number of weapon proficiencies based on class (fighter, thief, etc)--it seems that there is no discernible limit to the number of weapons in 3rd edition a 1st level character can have as long as the weapons are allowed by class--does this mean a 1st level wizard can use *any* simple weapon, for example?

in a related note, the Race description for Elves suggests all Elves are proficient in longsword and bows--would this be the case then for a 1st LVL Elf Wizard?

 

[sledged]

it seems that there is no discernible limit to the number of weapons in 3rd edition a 1st level character can have as long as the weapons are allowed by class--does this mean a 1st level wizard can use *any* simple weapon, for example?

Weapon and armor proficiencies for each class are given in the class discriptions under "Weapon and Armor Proficiency."

Edit: Barring size limitations, a character can use pretty much any weapon he wants, but there's a -4 penalty if the character doesn't have proficiency with that type of weapon.

in a related note, the Race description for Elves suggests all Elves are proficient in longsword and bows--would this be the case then for a 1st LVL Elf Wizard?

Yes.

 

[RigaMortus]

What sledged said... And welcome to the Boards... Oh, and welcome to 3E. We hope you find your stay an enjoyable one.

 

[Alhazred]

I started playing D&D shortly after the advent of 2e, so I don't really know 1e specifics. That being said, I think I can answer your question.

The class descriptions in 3e specifies those weapons and armour with which each class in proficient. For instance, the class description for the fighter specifies all simple and martial weapons. Any weapn designated as simple or martial in the equipment section of the PHB are thus available to fighters. Wizards, considerably more limited, are proficient solely with clubs, light and heavy crossbows, daggers and quarterstaves.

However, even if the class description does not permit the class initial access to certain weapons or weapon types, the character can still gain proficiency by way of feat selection. For instance, my dwarven wizard selected as his third level feat proficiency with the dwarven urgrosh - a weapon normally off-limits to wizards.

Regarding race: if the race description grants bonus weapon proficiencies, then anyone character of that race, regarless of class, gains the proficiencies. So your 1st-level elf wizard is proficient with longswords, rapiers, and stringed bows, on top of the normal weapon selection available to wizards.

It may help if you think of the character creation chapters as layers of modifications. The race chapter presents the base character. The class chapter modifies the race; the skills and feats chapters modify the race and class, etc. through alignment/description, equipment and spells.

Hope all this helps.

 

[The Souljourner]

To maybe clarify things a little more.... in 3.5 weapons are divided into categories - simple, martial, exotic. Classes get proficiency with either all simple, all simple and all martial, or just a select list of specific weapons. Any class that gets proficiency with an entire category can use any weapon in that category. So a Sorcerer who gets proficiency with all simple weapons, would be able to use a crossbow, or a dagger, or a quarterstaff, or a longspear, etc etc. (Wizards don't actually get all simple weapons, btw).

There's no longer a need to keep track of specific weapons your class knows (unless you're one of the few classes that has a specific list... only monks, wizards, and druids have lists like that).

-The Souljourner

 

[cotton]

(unless you're one of the few classes that has a specific list... only monks, wizards, and druids have lists like that).

And rogues, don't forget them! Well, they have Simple + other weapons. But still.

Hey, another Belmont, MA user! Small world.

 

[dcollins]

...it seems that there is no discernible limit to the number of weapons in 3rd edition a 1st level character can have as long as the weapons are allowed by class--does this mean a 1st level wizard can use *any* simple weapon, for example?

in a related note, the Race description for Elves suggests all Elves are proficient in longsword and bows--would this be the case then for a 1st LVL Elf Wizard?

Yes and yes.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Not to nitpick, but wizards aren't proficient with all simple weapons -- sorcerers and clerics are proficient with all simple weapons, but wizards have a more limited list.

 

[Ranger REG]

in the 1st edition rules, 1st level characters had a number of weapon proficiencies based on class (fighter, thief, etc)--it seems that there is no discernible limit to the number of weapons in 3rd edition a 1st level character can have as long as the weapons are allowed by class--does this mean a 1st level wizard can use *any* simple weapon, for example?

Technically, a wizard have starting proficiencies with a limited list of weapons at 1st level, that includes dagger, sling, quarterstaff.

Unlike 1st and 2nd editions, 3e allows wizards to acquire other weapon proficiencies through their feat allotment at 1st, 3rd, and every three levels thereafter.

in a related note, the Race description for Elves suggests all Elves are proficient in longsword and bows--would this be the case then for a 1st LVL Elf Wizard?

Yes. You can have starting weapon proficiencies based on the race you choose, and they are added to your class's starting weapon proficiencies. Good for non-martial classes like a wizard, but it can be a moot point for martial classes such as a fighter.