Military, Simple, and Superior Weapon Groups?

[JVisgaitis]

Just curious what thoughts are on the weapon groups shown in the screenshots of the character visualizer. While we didn't get to see what weapons were in the Simple and Military categories, we did see what they were in the Superior category which consisted of:

Rapier
Bastard Sword
Spiked Chain
Katana
Short Sword (!)
Whip
Katar

I find it odd that a short sword occupies the same slot as Spiked Chain and the Whip. I think that weapons will probably be pretty different and have a lot of unique abilities compared to previous editions if they fall into categories like this. Any thoughts on why a short sword would be Superior?

 

[mach1.9pants]

It just says to me early build bug, I imagine that:
3E simple = 4E simple
3E martial = 4E military (no mix up with martial power source)
3E exotic = 4E superior ('cos they are better and/or complex; exotic implies from a far away culture. 4E is trying to go away from that)

Short sword under Superior, bug gotta be. I really cannot think of anything else????

 

[Sir Brennen]

Superior = Masterwork?

 

[nightspaladin]

maybe the term superior is the new term for masterwork. We aren't seeing different types of weapons, just superior quality ones.

 

[mach1.9pants]

maybe the term superior is the new term for masterwork. We aren't seeing different types of weapons, just superior quality ones.

so do you see it as:
three levels of quality from simple (a simple spiked chain) to military (a military spiked chain) to superior (a superior spiked chain)?
or
simple and military weapons can be made 'superior' (as 3E simple and martial weapons can be made masterwork)?

 

[ruleslawyer]

I think bug. As I posted elsewhere, I think that "military" is pretty clearly renamed to eliminate confusion with "martial," and "exotic" was never a good word for "exotic" weapons to begin with. An "exotic" weapon is really just a benefit (or a package of benefits, in the case of the spiked chain) over a simple or martial weapon in 3e.

 

[Ahglock]

Probably a bug, though if maybe its not just a weapon but a level of training in. Sure the fighter can use a short sword with proficiency, but at the Superior feat level he can use the short sword with this set of powers and feats...

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Yeah that confused me as well, I am thinking bug.

I am wondering though given the mandate it seems for rogue-weapons or atleast as we have made it up to be, if the Katar could be on a longer list in the actual PHB for the rogue. Since it fits; easily-concealable, straight blade, one-handed.

 

[mach1.9pants]

Yeah I was surprised when the Kukri didn't turn up in the Rogue proficiencies, considering the amount of art in R&C etc that depicted them (especially TWF kukris).
However my theory is that kukri will come under dagger and, maybe, rapier under short sword. mechanically they will be the same. 1d4 for katar, kukri, dagger, whatever. 1d6 for short sword, side sword, rapier, gladius, whatever. BUT since the DDI character portrait has to show which weapon you want your character ideal to be wielding, DDI has to differentiate between mechanically the same weapons. E.g. I want my character to wield a rapier, he uses short sword stats but calls it a rapier. On DDI, so he looks right, I can choose rapier.
Maybe? mmmm

 

[LightPhoenix]

Yeah I was surprised when the Kukri didn't turn up in the Rogue proficiencies, considering the amount of art in R&C etc that depicted them (especially TWF kukris).
However my theory is that kukri will come under dagger and, maybe, rapier under short sword. mechanically they will be the same. 1d4 for katar, kukri, dagger, whatever. 1d6 for short sword, side sword, rapier, gladius, whatever. BUT since the DDI character portrait has to show which weapon you want your character ideal to be wielding, DDI has to differentiate between mechanically the same weapons. E.g. I want my character to wield a rapier, he uses short sword stats but calls it a rapier. On DDI, so he looks right, I can choose rapier.
Maybe? mmmm

I'm inclined to agree. We know that there were going to be weapon groups. Maybe they share more than just powers, mayeb they share similar statistics as well.