Military, Simple, and Superior Weapon Groups?

[JVisgaitis]

They are also light blades and thus can be used to sneak attack with. Just ask any ninja.

Um, no. That's a ninja-to. HUGE difference. Yeah, I'm an ancient weapons snob. Deal.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Personally, having experience with the katana, and a little with the bastard sword, I don't see what's similar about them AT ALL, with the possible exception of the fact that they can be wielded either one or two-handed.

They have no other similarities in appearance, weight, construction, bladed-ness, or fighting style.

That's like saying skis and a snowboard are exactly the same thing because you stand on 'em and go down snowy hills...

Fitz

 

[Kaodi]

I was going to say that if the shortsword is considered to be superior now, the ghost of George Silver approves of this edition. But then I realized that the rapier is also considered superior, and with that he would heartily disagree. I am afraid that by including the latter unjustly, Fourth Edition has lost a vital chance at this important celebrity endorsement.

 

[Kenku17]

Hey People, been reading this in the past couple days and figured I post.

In looking at the image with the lists of swords, I think im going to have to agree that "superior" is based on quality more than proficiency. The "Superior" short sword they listed in the picture is probably just like a masterwork would be in 3E.

Although at the same time, there is always a chance that(although I doubt it) it is a type of short sword that requires high proficency to truly use its bonuses.

 

[keterys]

It could also be an artistic style question, since it's the character visualizer. One has gems, one is extra spiky, one is rusty, etc. There are multiple of the same name under the category, even ignoring the oddness of the weapons listed.

It's clearly old and funky, and I wouldn't try to extrapolate any rules from it.