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Message: <blockquote data-quote="S'mon" data-source="post: 6631525" data-attributes="member: 463">I agree - because 5e gets rid of the 'bastard sword' and has the longsword essentially fill that role, the 5e terminology is now closer to current medievalist usage, but we're left without a 'typical sword'. I added some notes to my PHB for various mid-size swords, but they essentially boil down to d8 damage, non-versatile, and a bit cheaper than a longsword.I find Classic D&D easier to work with - there a shortsword is d6, sword d8, 2-h sword d10. I basically have any sword wielded 2-h from katana to zweihander do d10, optimised 1-h skirmish swords (rapier backsword arming sword cutlass etc etc) do d8, and backup swords (eg smallsword) very small swords (halfling sword), or 2nd rate swords (eg an orc falchion) do d6, like all the other 1-h weapons.Generally I run it in both systems that d8+ weapons need 5' space to wield effectively, while d6 weapons can be used with less space, eg 3 to a 10' frontage. Very short weapons can be used to press in close and attack when the enemy would have Disadvantage using a longer weapon, this generally only works when you have a mass of combatants.</blockquote>