Longswords for Halflings in SRD?

[Hypersmurf]

I knew that this thread seemed familiar...

So here's the obligatory repost of The Picture:

-Hyp.

 

[Storyteller01]

Thats an extreme example used for powergamers using obviously improbable weapons. The arguement is the use of small human weapons used by small races.

 

[Storyteller01]

Hmm if on a rules board for D&D then using those "rules" as the basis for the answer comes into question then this is obviously a "what if?" type of question and more suitable analysis and answers might come from posting it on a different thread.

Just a suggestion since the 3.5 game mechanics are pretty clear as to how they handle these things - changing those mechanics is an entireley different situation.

If the rule was created to provide a sense of realism, I'd like to see the realism.

 

[taliesin15]

A shortsword is a 2´ length of steel with a sharp point that focuses the strength of the blow into a piercing action. The edges of the blade are only marginally sharp, to help pull the blade out of the target.

A longsword is a 3´-4´ length of steel sharpened along the edges, with a heavy pommel to offset the blade´s weight and help swing the blade around from stroke to stroke, in chopping motions.
.

actually, that is not really accurate--short swords are not designed just for piercing, they were commonly used for slashing as they were sharp along the edges just like all swords are--the fact of the matter is from a dagger to a two-handed sword, all these are used for both slashing and piercing...

while we're on the subject, the same is true of rapiers

and while scimitars and sabres mainly are used as slashing weapons, I think it is possible to pierce with them too, though the design seems to preclude this

 

[MarkB]

Thats an extreme example used for powergamers. The arguement is the use of small human weapons used by small races.

So now imagine that guy's a halfling in the second picture, and the sword has stayed the same size.

'Common Sense' tells me that the penalty is exaggerated.

The penalty is only -2. That seems extremely small for a creature wielding a weapon designed for someone twice his size.

 

[taliesin15]

Hmm if on a rules board for D&D then using those "rules" as the basis for the answer comes into question then this is obviously a "what if?" type of question and more suitable analysis and answers might come from posting it on a different thread.

sure, but if it seems the "rules" are wrong or illogical, isn't this also the place to bring it up?

I still don't have any kind of sensible answer to my original question, btw...it seems to me that what the SRD is really (or should be) saying is that the Hafling (as a monster) is wielding a short sword which the hafling is wielding as a long sword...

also, what about the fulcrum notion I raised regarding pole-arms?

 

[MarkB]

sure, but if it seems the "rules" are wrong or illogical, isn't this also the place to bring it up?

I still don't have any kind of sensible answer to my original question, btw...it seems to me that what the SRD is really (or should be) saying is that the Hafling (as a monster) is wielding a short sword which the hafling is wielding as a long sword...

It seems to me that's purely a holdover from previous editions, and that v3.5's weapon system is leaps and bounds superior in terms of consistency and simplicity.

If a halfling can make a weapon whose game-rules stats are those of a longsword rather than a shortsword, but which is scaled down to his size, why should he not wield that weapon instead of a medium-size creature's short sword?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Thats an extreme example used for powergamers using obviously improbable weapons. The arguement is the use of small human weapons used by small races.

Okay. Here's a picture of a katana and a wakizashi. Call this a picture of a Medium katana and a Medium wakizashi.

And here's a picture of the katana, next to the wakizashi scaled to twice the length - as if a 3 foot halfling were using a wakizashi designed for a 6 foot human. Call this a picture of a Small katana (designed for Small creatures) and a Medium wakizashi (designed for Medium creatures).

If the halfling tries to fight with something that seems to him like the bottom blade (a Medium, using it as if it were the top blade, don't you think a penalty is in order?

If you were the halfling, which would you choose?

-Hyp.

 

[Storyteller01]

So now imagine that guy's a halfling in the second picture, and the sword has stayed the same size.

Doesn't quite fit the arguement, as that weapon is several sizes over the critter, as opposed to one.

The penalty is only -2. That seems extremely small for a creature wielding a weapon designed for someone twice his size.

If a -2 penalty isn't that bad, why do players spend so much time avoiding them?

Why resort to 'just accept the penalty' as an arguement at all?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Doesn't quite fit the arguement, as that weapon is several sizes over the critter, as opposed to one.

See above for a one size difference.

-Hyp.