D&D 5E Does any one else think staff is overpowered and houserule it?

[JonnyP71]

So you rule that it takes both hands to support the weight of a 6lb greatsword when not actually fighting with it?

So, a club then?

Not quite... read 1 line further down. Ever so slightly different.

Though I have no problem whatsoever with having some weapons mechanically identical to others, with purely flavour differences.

And regarding the Greatsword - yep, it's a cumbersome 5-6' piece of metal. Pop it back in its scabbard if you want to use your hands.

 

[ccs]

Ah, arguing "realism" in D&D.

Nothing says realism like nerfing the staff in a game where I can play a fire-breathing dragon man....

As for staff & shield not having a historical basis? Well, I don't think my fire-breathing dragon man does either.

 

[ccs]

I guess I'm also houseruling when I rule that they cannot in my games... want a lantern? Need a spare hand. Want to cast spells? Need a spare hand. And I rule that the Staff is the only strictly 2-handed weapon which allows that.

What about carrying a bow?

 

[JonnyP71]

Add the word melee to my quote

 

[MechaPilot]

I guess I'm also houseruling when I rule that they cannot in my games... want a lantern? Need a spare hand. Want to cast spells? Need a spare hand. And I rule that the Staff is the only strictly 2-handed weapon which allows that.

It's not so much that you're houseruling, because WotC hasn't told us how many hands it takes to carry each individual piece of equipment in the book. However, yeah, people can very easily hold in one hand a thing that can only be used (or only be used effectively) in both hands. I mean, I can carry a fishing pole in one hand, but I'd have a heck of a time effectively reeling in a fish with one hand.


Note: I hate fishing, so I personally would probably have a heck of a time reeling in a fish two-handed, but that's because I lack proficiency with that particular tool, not because of the number of hands required to use the thing.

 

[Kobold Stew]

As for staff & shield not having a historical basis? Well, I don't think my fire-breathing dragon man does either.

What about carrying a bow?

Historically, fire-breathing dragon men have never carried bows.

 

[Satyrn]

Historically, fire-breathing dragon men have never carried bows.

Quoted for truthiness.

 

[Coroc]

It's not so much that you're houseruling, because WotC hasn't told us how many hands it takes to carry each individual piece of equipment in the book. However, yeah, people can very easily hold in one hand a thing that can only be used (or only be used effectively) in both hands. I mean, I can carry a fishing pole in one hand, but I'd have a heck of a time effectively reeling in a fish with one hand.


Note: I hate fishing, so I personally would probably have a heck of a time reeling in a fish two-handed, but that's because I lack proficiency with that particular tool, not because of the number of hands required to use the thing.

Um did i mention that i use hard encumbrance rules in my game, not so much in weight terms but in bulkyness. No one is running around like a pack mule in my games. so that means slots. you can carry a sidearm a dagger or two 1 armor and a main weapon and thats it. No 5 different heavy weapons in a golfbag for my players.

You need the extra carrying capacity for loot and food and sleepingbag.

Ah yes and i use silver in my games, gold is rare and the prices for stuff are more realistic. If you want to transport more than you can carry you can buy carts and horses and ships in my games, all for some silver. Of course these dont fit into the dungeon.

 

[Valetudo]

Um did i mention that i use hard encumbrance rules in my game, not so much in weight terms but in bulkyness. No one is running around like a pack mule in my games. so that means slots. you can carry a sidearm a dagger or two 1 armor and a main weapon and thats it. No 5 different heavy weapons in a golfbag for my players.

You need the extra carrying capacity for loot and food and sleepingbag.

Ah yes and i use silver in my games, gold is rare and the prices for stuff are more realistic. If you want to transport more than you can carry you can buy carts and horses and ships in my games, all for some silver. Of course these dont fit into the dungeon.

Actually knights did tend to run around with a "golfbag" of weapons. But thats also one of the reasons they had a caddy uh I mean squire.

 

[Argyle King]

I imagine using a staff one-handed while using a shield to be pretty similar to using a sword or swinging a baseball bat. It doesn't seem unrealistic to me.