rangers and weapon finesse?

[Dr. Zoom]

Just keep in mind that your two-weapon penalties will go from -2 for each attack to -4 for each attack when you switch to two rapiers.

 

[Taloras]

Ooops. forgot about that. thanks for reminding me....might as well just stick with what ive got.

 

[ConcreteBuddha]

I cant see any role playing concept that relies on using inferior equimpent, unless you want to role play Int or Wis 6 or something.

Whoa.

With this statement you have condemned all of these weapons:

All simple weapons, flails, throwing axes, picks, short swords, tridents, halberd, reach weapons (minus the spiked chain), greatclubs, shortbows, longbows, whips, nets, and many more.

You have also condemned all armors except for MW studded leather, mithral chain shirts, mithral breastplates and mithral or adamantine full plate.

I have played an elven barbarian duelist (a descriptor, not the PrC) who used a dagger and a buckler because that was the culture of her tribe.

I have played a half-orc rogue with a quarterstaff.

I have played a dwarf barbarian with hide armor and a greatclub.

Want to know a real-world example of a person using inferior equipment? The U.S. army's assault rifle during WW2 was inferior to the German's. (Or maybe it's the other way around. *grin*) And yet, you didn't see the Americans dropping their old rifles as soon as they could loot the German rifles.

Not only that, but most campaigns I've seen have "tech levels" for each culture. Sometimes you just can't get your hands on a greatsword when you are wood elf in wood elf land. And why would you want to? Your people would look down on you when you carry the weapon of another race, let alone enchant it for you.

I would actually contend that the only reason to not use a superior weapon is for character reasons and should be strictly enforced by the DM as a viable way to play the game. Unless of course you like the fact that everyone uses rapiers, greatswords, chain shirts and breastplates exclusively.

 

[ThomasBJJ]

I totally agree with Med Stud. "Role-playing" as an excuse for using inferior equipment is IMO dumb.

It does not invalidate all the weapons and armor someone listed, because the armore have various armor check penalties, and max dex bonus and costs. Usually a character will take the best armor he can afford, but when it gets so heavy it restricts Dex bonus, it isn't worth it. Also movement may be an issue for some.

As for weapons, some are simple, some are martial, etc, Why a human would use a short sword rather than a long sword is beyond me unless that is all he had.

 

[kreynolds]

Why a human would use a short sword rather than a long sword is beyond me unless that is all he had.

1) Smaller penalties to two weapon fighting.
2) You can use a light weapon, and only a light weapon, to cut yourself out of the gullet of a creature that has swallowed you whole.
3) Weapon Finesse.

That's just off the top of my head.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

A short sword can be concealed better than the long sword. Imagine that rogue running about with a stiff leg....