D&D 5E Dex-based greatsword?

[DMCF]

I would say no because I can fix this with a magic +great sword. Make it a quest. Make it a reward. Make it sentient and force rolls of some opposing action.

For instance you can make a sword that has +'s based on tier of play. The damage from +'s more than makes up finesse. Make it so than in battle dc 10 wis to be forced to draw the sword. Each round dc 15 wis to go berserk and only use attack actions for the rest of the battle.

 

[Barantor]

I would just tell the ranger to use a sunblade after you provide them with it. It is still versatile so it is about as close as you can get without changing the rules up somewhat.

It will also let them use a shield when they want to only use it one handed.

 

[Gnashtooth]

Mechanics aside, a big weapon that does a D10 is going to limit your mobility anyway, and you can't use your arms for balance like you can with two weapons. Fighting with dex is about quick, accurate strikes, not big hits. The idea simply works against itself.

 

[psychophipps]

Putting "8lbs" and "finese" into the same weapon description is an oxymoron, just sayin'...

 

[PnPgamer]

I would abuse it. Maliciously...

 

[SailorNash]

Finessable greatswords sound terrible. What's next, a Maul (same damage level)? Sneak Attack alone breaks it as an overall concept.

However, Rangers are mechanically built to incentivize Dex, yet I don't see them all being the rapier type. There should be something in their class that allows them to use other weapons with Dex such that they'd be more likely to pick up a longsword than a fencing weapon.

Same logic could hold for a two-hander as well...personally that's further than I'd stretch it, trying to delicately maneuver a claymore with precision...but mechanically I wouldn't mind seeing something that allowed DEX-based Rangers open up their melee options a bit.

 

[Gnashtooth]

...but mechanically I wouldn't mind seeing something that allowed DEX-based Rangers open up their melee options a bit.

I don't know what you mean by this, so don't take this the wrong way, but do you just mean options, or do you mean mechanically optimized options?

Like I mentioned in a previous post, sometimes you have to give up optimization to have the character you want. My gnoll ranger uses a polearm with strength to hit from the rear rank. It would be nice to have Great Weapon Fighting, yes, but the character is already a mix of concepts - he uses the polearm with STR and the longbow with DEX. I also switch him to two shortswords when fighting close quarters.

No, I don't succeed all the time, but really not appreciably less so than if I'd put everything into one stat. However, it's really fun to play because I've set things up to where I'm not doing the same thing over and over, and I have heard complaints from people playing the Champion fighter and the Bear barbarian that they get boring after awhile, but that's pretty much obvious when you build a one-trick pony.

 

[Halivar]

I would add a feat for hand-and-a-half style fighting; allows the finesse property for greatswords, but excludes the benefits of the following while in use: sneak attack, great weapon feats or fighting style. I think it's balanced, and has a cost.

 

[Remathilis]

I would do something like this...

BUSTER SWORD
Weapon (greatsword), Rare

This magical greatsword is extremely light, barely weighing 4 pounds despite its enormous size. It grants a +1 to hit and damage and the wielder can use his dexterity modifier to hit and damage with it as if it had the finesse property.

That way, nobody can abuse the build unless the ranger wants to give her greatsword to anyone. Also, she's never getting a better sword than a +1 (no flame tongues, vorpals, or even +2s) unless she wants to forfeit the finesse property.