D&D (2024) Longsword finesse when used 2H

[Bill Zebub]

I have this suspicion that at least some of the posters in this thread totally missed the part about two-handed.

 

[Clint_L]

No, I caught it. But you also wrote, "It would really just be a flavor option." If it's just about flavour, then why do we need a new rule that chips away at what little remains of strength as a viable stat?

 

[the Jester]

This seems to me like a solution in search of a problem. I see no reason to allow it. If you want to do so in your game, feel free, but I'm not into it.

 

[Bill Zebub]

No, I caught it. But you also wrote, "It would really just be a flavor option." If it's just about flavour, then why do we need a new rule

Well, the battle axe is a flavor option. It’s mechanically identical to a long sword, except for weight/cost. Should we get rid of it?

that chips away at what little remains of strength as a viable stat?

I still haven't an explanation for why this has any effect on Str. And if it did then it wouldn’t be a flavor option. Those two things are contradictory.

Or is it just because people who want to swing a weapon with two hands have to go Str, and this would give them another option? If so, I guess I don’t really equate “aesthetic preference” with “viability”.

 

[Bill Zebub]

This seems to me like a solution in search of a problem. I see no reason to allow it. If you want to do so in your game, feel free, but I'm not into it.

I get not liking it for aesthetic reasons; that’s valid. But “solution in search of a problem” seems like an inapplicable cliche. Problem: as a Ranger, I want to swing a melee weapon with two hands AND be a good archer. Solution: versatile weapons are finesse when used with two hands.

I guess since nobody has pointed out an actual mechanical exploit I have my answer.

 

[DragonBelow]

I get not liking it for aesthetic reasons; that’s valid. But “solution in search of a problem” seems like an inapplicable cliche. Problem: as a Ranger, I want to swing a melee weapon with two hands AND be a good archer. Solution: versatile weapons are finesse when used with two hands.

I guess since nobody has pointed out an actual mechanical exploit I have my answer.

Solution: invest in STR and DEX.

 

[Horwath]

I get not liking it for aesthetic reasons; that’s valid. But “solution in search of a problem” seems like an inapplicable cliche. Problem: as a Ranger, I want to swing a melee weapon with two hands AND be a good archer. Solution: versatile weapons are finesse when used with two hands.

I guess since nobody has pointed out an actual mechanical exploit I have my answer.

Guess we need a dedicated 2Handed finesse weapon.

greatsword 2d6->remove Heavy, becomes d12->add finesse, becomes 1d10.

Then again, greatsword should be 2d8 from the start so that imagined 2Handed finesse weapon should be d12.
But that is another topic/problem for 5E.

 

[Minigiant]

Guess we need a dedicated 2Handed finesse weapon.

greatsword 2d6->remove Heavy, becomes d12->add finesse, becomes 1d10.

Then again, greatsword should be 2d8 from the start so that imagined 2Handed finesse weapon should be d12.
But that is another topic/problem for 5E.

The core problem is STR and DEX are so unbalanced in base 5e and likely base 1D&D that a 2 dice shift is not enough.

So 2H Finesse Longsword 1d10 would only be okay if 2H Greatsword is allowed to be 1d16 (or 2d8).

 

[Horwath]

The core problem is STR and DEX are so unbalanced in base 5e and likely base 1D&D that a 2 dice shift is not enough.

So 2H Finesse Longsword 1d10 would only be okay if 2H Greatsword is allowed to be 1d16 (or 2d8).

d12 vs. 2d8 is 2,5 damage per swing.

That will add up fast.

with the (horrible) 2Handed fighting style, it's +3,17 damage per swing.


2Handed style should be changed to +1d6 damage per swing. +1d4 if it's finesse 2Handed weapon.

 

[Minigiant]

d12 vs. 2d8 is 2,5 damage per swing.

That will add up fast.

It should be more. At least 3. Preferably 4

I'm not against features, feats, or options that swap attack or DC ability scores. But to me, it should come at heavy cost, be a specific build, or have rebalancing of scores.