D&D 5E Dex-based greatsword?

[epithet]

Make it a rapier with an elongated grip to give it the versatile property, basically a katana, no bonus to damage. Done.

The terms broadsword, claymore, and greatsword are all appropriate for such a weapon.

A longer scimitar makes more sense in my opinion, since it would be slashing instead of piercing damage.

Another possibility is to make a magic item that is a greatsword with a shillelagh-type effect on it that makes it possible to use Wis instead of Str. Most rangers have a decent Wis for spellcasting, so you can give your ranger a boost up from her low Str for to-hit and damage bonuses without going all the way to her maxed-out Dex score.

Make the sword out of bronzewood, with the crossguard carved to depict twining holly and mistletoe. Have an inscription carved into the blade in the secret language of druids--use an ogham script with some message that is significant to the campaign, then have the character encouter a druid that can read it when you are ready for a reveal.

 

[discosoc]

Problem with a 2-handed finesse weapon is it makes dex a strictly better combat stat than str in almost every situation (outside of I think barbarians). Dex already contributes to AC, not to mention some of the most important saves.

You already stated that her build wasn't completely optimal, so don't feel like you need add houserules to make her build work.

 

[Jester David]

A rogue with a dex based two-handed weapon sees a damage increase of 1 per round. Since they only every attack twice.
Yes, they can get the Great Weapon Fighting feat, but they could also be a bow rogue and take the archery feat, so the actual damage is comparable.

It'd be better for a ranger who can get multiple attacks, so the chances of one GWF attack getting through increases.

 

[Hriston]

A longer scimitar makes more sense in my opinion, since it would be slashing instead of piercing damage.

Sure, there's a lot of overlap in design between scimitars, falchions, cutlasses, and rapiers, so you could refluff a scimitar if damage type was important to you, but then you're down to 1d6.

I'm not really sure how the decision was made for the rapier to have piercing while the greatsword has slashing considering that the zweihander was frequently used in a way similar to a pike, ie as a thrusting weapon.

 

[epithet]

Try this out:


The Edge of the Woods
Weapon (greatsword), rare (requires attunement)
This greatsword is carved from a single piece of bronzewood, with the quillons sculpted to resemble mistletoe twined with holly. A line of runic script runs down each side of the blade. The wood of this magical weapon is imbued with nature's power. You can use Wisdom instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of melee attacks using The Edge of the Woods.
Prophecy. The Edge of the Woods features in a prophecy: its bearer is destined to play a key role in future events. Someone else who wants to play that role might try to steal the item, or someone who wants to prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled might try to kill the item's bearer.
Conscientious. When the bearer of The Edge of the Woods contemplates or undertakes cutting down a tree or killing a beast other than for food, the item enhances pangs of conscience.
Blissful. While in possession of The Edge of the Woods, the bearer feels fortunate and optimistic about what the future holds. Butterflies and other harmless creatures might frolic in the item 's presence.


This offers a number of advantages over just a finesse greatsword, including the fact that it uses Wis (a ranger's 2nd stat) instead of Dex, and so is less likely to be pilfered by a rogue. The prophecy could be the thing that leads the party to the sword, believing that it is the only thing that can permanently destroy the BBEG. The minor properties encourage role-playing. Also, you're not just giving the ranger a free upgrade, since the ranger would have to tie up an attunement slot to use the weapon.

 

[epithet]

Sure, there's a lot of overlap in design between scimitars, falchions, cutlasses, and rapiers, so you could refluff a scimitar if damage type was important to you, but then you're down to 1d6.

I'm not really sure how the decision was made for the rapier to have piercing while the greatsword has slashing considering that the zweihander was frequently used in a way similar to a pike, ie as a thrusting weapon.

Presumably you would make it 1d8 for the versatile property. The ranger in question would go from a greatsword at +2 to hit, 1d10 + 0 damage, to a "versatile scimitar" at +6 to hit, 1d8 + 4 damage (assuming an 18 Dex and a prof bonus of 2). I'd say you're doing the ranger a solid by putting this blade in the game. It could still function one-handed at 1d6 if the ranger needed the other hand for something, like carrying a torch. All-around a better option in a world without the GWF feat.

 

[Hriston]

Presumably you would make it 1d8 for the versatile property. The ranger in question would go from a greatsword at +2 to hit, 1d10 + 0 damage, to a "versatile scimitar" at +6 to hit, 1d8 + 4 damage (assuming an 18 Dex and a prof bonus of 2). I'd say you're doing the ranger a solid by putting this blade in the game. It could still function one-handed at 1d6 if the ranger needed the other hand for something, like carrying a torch. All-around a better option in a world without the GWF feat.

I don't think a higher damage die is appropriate for a versatile finesse weapon wielded with two hands. It makes sense for a strength-based weapon because the additional hand puts more power behind the weapon. I don't imagine that putting an extra hand on a dex-based weapon is going to provide a benefit that translates into more damage.

 

[Merchant of Shadows]

Even a finesse weapon needs "strength" behind the blow. An agile character is surely better at finding weak spots in an opponent's armor or defenses, but he can exploit them better with two hands behind the blow.

If a magical belt that gives you 25 strength is ok as a very rare magical item, then surely 1d10 finesse non-heavy two-hander also is... what is the ranger gaining compared to just using a rapier... 1 damage on average? Lol... than makes it about 33% as useful as a +1 weapon. Just give the ranger the weapon... if it proves to be overpowering - sunder it.

 

[redrick]

If it's a magic item and requires attunement, I'd say it's fine. Especially if it is given out at a similar pace with +1 magic items. (Because, by allowing her to use her Dex instead of her Str on a higher damage weapon, you are effectively granting her bonuses on her attack roll.) Nothing about creating a one-off magic items requires you to completely devalue Strength as an attribute.

On the other hand, I would personally recommend being careful with just giving players everything that they might need to fill out their character concept. If your player seems to be enjoying herself and finding a way to make her character concept work as is, I'd say let her do it. Mechanical tradeoffs are part of the fun of the game for many of us. I've seen DM's a little too eager to please before, and the result is ultimately a slightly less fulfilling game. This is very much a "feels" thing, though, and almost certainly varies from table to table, player to player and DM to DM.

 

[Athinar]

This would break the Rules but Rules are made to be broken.

This would break the Rules but Rules are made to be broken.

So an Odachi made of Mithral, enchanted or not could be use (maybe with a Feat, that would come in a future book, $50.00 to use the Feat)

A great Mithral Falchion would be too heavy

An odachi, meaning "big/thick sword", was a type of long Japanese sword.
Giant 67" Odachi Features:
•Hand forged, sharpened, high carbon steel blade
•Full tang
•Wood tsuka bound with leather
•Two red bell tassels attached to blackened steel pommel
•Copper habaki
•Blackened "double ring" steel tsuba
•Wood saya covered in leather with leather backstrap
•Made by Rittersteel
•Fully Functional
Measurements:
Blade: 40"
Handle: 26"
Overall: 67"
Weight: 5.6 Lbs

A great falchion is an upscaled falchion, similar in size to a a greatsword. A character with exotic weapon proficiency gain the following special maneuvers with a great falchion: 18 lbs

If this Ranger can use this weapon with 2 hands as a finesse weapon, my Rogue can use a Handaxe a thrown melee weapon as a Ranged weapon for sneak attack