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

[Horwath]

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.

As I mentioned, with style it's 3,17.
And if you use houseruled 2Handed fighting style, it's 3,5 per swing.
that is really enough.

 

[Clint_L]

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?

Yes! We should simplify weapon rules to just the basic types (i.e. 1-hand slashing), give players a list of typical weapons that fall into the category, and let them decide what to call their preferred weapon.

 

[Horwath]

Yes! We should simplify weapon rules to just the basic types (i.e. 1-hand slashing), give players a list of typical weapons that fall into the category, and let them decide what to call their preferred weapon.

so true.


here is my suggestion;

Rebalancing melee weapons for 5.5E

Right now the weapon table looks little bit chaotic with some weapons having little sense in their traits and their damage. For this I will take for base from 3.5e simple 1Handed weapon that has d8 damage and critical of 20/×2(the default and only weapon crit range in 5E) as 5E does not have...

www.enworld.org

pick traits you need for your character concept and flavor the look/name of the weapon.
within reason OFC.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Yes! We should simplify weapon rules to just the basic types (i.e. 1-hand slashing), give players a list of typical weapons that fall into the category, and let them decide what to call their preferred weapon.

Oh, well that I agree with, but it’s not very realistic to expect it to happen officially.

I bet if it did, though, that 1d10 2H finesse martial weapons would be a thing.

 

[Laurefindel]

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.

You took something that only Str builds could do and allowed Dex builds to do it as well also. You’re not taking anything away from Str (and from one of its least used options at that), but it still results in a net gain for Dex which causes knee-jerk reactions when you want to rein-in Dex.

But if it makes 2-handed versatile a valid (if still niche) option, I say it’s a net gain for the whole game because very few players take advantage of the versatile property in the first place, by lack of support. And as you demonstrated, finesse 2-handed versatile is at best on par with rapiers, and potentially inferior to TWF depending on bonus action status.

 

[Bill Zebub]

You took something that only Str builds could do and allowed Dex builds to do it as well.

Not quite. Str builds can do 1d12 (or 2d6). So if you want to go 2H, Str is still better.

Unless you meant “as well” not in the sense of “to equal effect” but merely “also.”

 

[Laurefindel]

Not quite. Str builds can do 1d12 (or 2d6). So if you want to go 2H, Str is still better.

Unless you meant “as well” not in the sense of “to equal effect” but merely “also.”

The latter.

Now Dex characters can also do something previously restricted to Str builds.

Indeed, poor choices of word on my part. I’ll edit.

 

[tetrasodium]

You took something that only Str builds could do and allowed Dex builds to do it as well also. You’re not taking anything away from Str (and from one of its least used options at that), but it still results in a net gain for Dex which causes knee-jerk reactions when you want to rein-in Dex.

But if it makes 2-handed versatile a valid (if still niche) option, I say it’s a net gain for the whole game because very few players take advantage of the versatile property in the first place, by lack of support. And as you demonstrated, finesse 2-handed versatile is at best on par with rapiers, and potentially inferior to TWF depending on bonus action status.

Actually it does have a loss for strength builds. 5e may not make good use of such things but it makes feats & abilities designed to bring sword & board up more difficult to balance because that would include both the build its trying to lift as well as builds already at or near the target.

 

[Bill Zebub]

The latter.

Now Dex characters can also do something previously restricted to Str builds.

Indeed, poor choices of word on my part. I’ll edit.

Well that’s not really a qualitative change. Dex builds can already use 2H weapons if they really want to…they have proficiency…they just won’t be as good at it. My suggestion would narrow the gap, but not allow something that previously wasn’t.

 

[Minigiant]

Longsword 2H Finesse is something I would be okay bring a super ultra specific feat. Like Complete warrior Styles


Anger of the Wurm: Warhammer and Warpick TWF
Dragon Horn: Greatsword and Dagger TWF
???? Longsword 2H Finesse
Griffin Roar: Greataxe 1H and Shield
Manticore Tail: Flail Reach