OSR: d8 Battle Axe or d8 Broad Sword?

[GMMichael]

A question from my continuing OSR saga: what's the difference between a battle axe that does d8 damage and a sword that does d8 damage? Both are one-handed, both are too heavy to continuously wield. The battle axe, however, is priced significantly lower than the sword. So what in-game reasons would a fighter (or any other class) have to specialize in swordsmanship over axe-wielding, or to "upgrade" from an axe to a sword? Why would a player, creating her character, decide "I want the more expensive d8?"

The question also applies to armor; mail and scale mail offer the same protection, although scale mail is slightly more harsh on one's dexterity. Mail (chain-like) is significantly more labor-intensive, and much more expensive. So why save up for it?

 

[DemoMonkey]

As a status symbol.

If it's more expensive, then the person wearing it "must" be higher status. The same reasoning for expensive clothing or jewelry.

Whether the DM cares about that level of status granularity is a campaign decision.

 

[Marc_C]

Status. For weapons, armours, clothing, etc.

 

[Blue Orange]

Well, if it's real OSR, the broadsword does 2d4, and chainmail gives an extra point of AC lower than scale mail...

Seriously, you're looking at attempts to undo adjustments (OSR) made to adjustments (3-5e) to spur-of-the-moment decisions made by a bunch of wargamers 40 years ago (1-2e), so trying to rationalize every minor differential can get kind of tortuous. You can invent a justification (broadswords have more status), make a houserule (humans get a bonus with broadswords against X), or ignore it. All can be fun.

There was the same discussion here about the weights and heights of ogres and hill giants and one having twice the hit dice of the other if I remember right.

 

[Yora]

Well, my games all have it at 1d8. But can't agree if it's one-handed or two handed.

In the end, it's really just for style.

 

[Argyle King]

Well, if it's real OSR, the broadsword does 2d4, and chainmail gives an extra point of AC lower than scale mail...

Seriously, you're looking at attempts to undo adjustments (OSR) made to adjustments (3-5e) to spur-of-the-moment decisions made by a bunch of wargamers 40 years ago (1-2e), so trying to rationalize every minor differential can get kind of tortuous. You can invent a justification (broadswords have more status), make a houserule (humans get a bonus with broadswords against X), or ignore it. All can be fun.

There was the same discussion here about the weights and heights of ogres and hill giants and one having twice the hit dice of the other if I remember right.

For more complete info, see also: GURPS Low-Tech.

 

[TerraDave]

If its AD&D, 1) you have to pick your proficiencies, and magic and interesting swords where certainly more common. 2) More damage versus large opponents!

 

[LoganRan]

If its AD&D, 1) you have to pick your proficiencies, and magic and interesting swords where certainly more common. 2) More damage versus large opponents!

As well as different lengths, speed factors and armor class adjustment modifiers. Assuming your table actually paid any attention to those attributes (ours didn't).

 

[Voadam]

In game there are generally a lot more magic swords than magic axes. Specializing in swords is generally going to be a gamble on the odds of later loot whether it is AD&D proficiencies or BECMI/RC weapon mastery.

BECMI weapon mastery for swords eventually gives you the really useful parry ability that you cannot get with axes if I am remembering correctly.

 

[GMMichael]

As well as different lengths, speed factors and armor class adjustment modifiers. Assuming your table actually paid any attention to those attributes (ours didn't).

If its AD&D, 1) you have to pick your proficiencies, and magic and interesting swords where certainly more common. 2) More damage versus large opponents!

Not AD&D (that's actual old school), but enchantability could be a difference: swords are better for holding magic gems!

Does a hill giant prefer to fight one or the other? We're assuming both are d8. But one could be more intimidating, given the giant's previous battles.

I'm not excited about adding two more columns to the weapons table (speed factor and AC adjustment), but I can see how the axe would be better against plate than the sword... or significantly better at chopping up shields. The sword has more edge, so it might take longer to dull than the axe.