Really, what good are daggers?

[AFGNCAAP]

After gaming for a bunch of years, I've really started to question why daggers even exist in D&D. They're pretty much worthless. Small characters shouldn't bother either, as there are smaller versions of any weapon they may use too.

Really, what good are daggers compared to a short sword or throwing axe?

Lots of reasons. Here's 4:

1) Easier to conceal. Much shorter than the 2 weapons that you mentioned above. Many more sections of the body to hide the weapon against compared to longer weapons. A dagger can easily be concealed along a limb or the trunk of the body--handaxes and shortswords would be limited to the trunk of the body (due to length of limbs & bending joints).

2) Can be thrown. Some are made balanced for throwing, but in a pinch, any of them can work (just as long as you have a good feel for a balance).

3) Utility. Just count all of the correct (& incorrect) ways to use a dagger or knife. It's a cutting implement, a makeshift mini-prybar, a crude hammer (using the pommel), an eating utensil, & just aout anything you could use or need it for.

4) Commonality. One thing often ignored in fantasy settings is that most tableware wasn't provided at eating establishments. A spoon may be provided with soup or broth, but forks didn't show up until much later. Trenchers of bread (large, flat, board or plate-like loaves) were used instead of plates. The only eating utensil frequently available was the knife, & the diner had to provide his/her own. Thus, everyone would carry some sort of knife or dagger for eating, & it's not suspicious, while carrying other weapons would be: a wood-chopping axe looks quite different than a battle axe; swords, maces, & flails are outright weapons of war; some ranged weapons (spears, bows, & crossbows) can be used for hunting, but to constantly carry hunting implements with you in a city would immediately arouse suspicion. However, to carry a knife or dagger around isn't so suspicious--it's a tool, for the most part, though it can be used for self-defence.

And think about this: daggers/knives are really the only ancient weapon that is still regularly used today (except for the club, in some cases). Its overall utility has ensured its success in an age which gunpoweder made many other weapons obsolete.

 

[Felix]

I play a Forsaker that's big into a) incapacitating poisons and b) taking out spellcasters. The best way for me to do both is to close to a grapple and drop my greatsword, draw my dagger, and stab the hell out of him when he tries anything. It's a great poison vector for me, and stops him from being terribly effective on the casting side.

1) Poision Vector.
2) Can draw and use it in a grapple.

 

[Jeph]

They're a light offhand weapon for dual wielding gnomes and halflings.

 

[bret]

Most of the reasons have already been given, including what I consider the best ones -- concealability and accessability. Only rarely would someone stop a person for carrying a dagger, it isn't viewed the same way that carrying a sword would be.

I would just like to add one.

Wizards can use daggers. Since it is probably wizards that produce the bulk of magical weapons, the dagger should be one of the more common magical weapons. It is a weapon that a wizard can use themselves but still have a reasonable chance to sell to someone else.

 

[Merlissa]

I like my daggers....one of 'em I picked up from a troll skeleon's body (I use his finger as a dagger) but I also get to sneak attack with my dagger. Plus I'm short as I'm a halfling so it works.

 

[Henry]

Really, what good are daggers compared to a short sword or throwing axe?

jh

Simple weapon. With 1 die step up and double critical range, AND lethal damage, it's over twice as lethal as a fist.

For Roleplaying reasons, a dagger is acceptable in FAR more places than a sword or an axe.

Other than those, no other reason at all. It is definitely inferior to the sword or axe, and history bears out the same.

 

[Richards]

As far as the concealment ability of a dagger goes, I remember hearing about an AD&D 1st Edition wizard PC who had so many throwing daggers concealed on various parts of his body (strapped to all four limbs, secret sheath on a belt, hidden inside belt pouches, equivalent of a "shoulder holster," etc.) that his DM granted him an AC bonus on the theory that many weapon strikes were bound to hit a concealed dagger rather than the wizard's flesh!

Johnathan

 

[Iscariot]

After gaming for a bunch of years, I've really started to question why daggers even exist in D&D. They're pretty much worthless. Small characters shouldn't bother either, as there are smaller versions of any weapon they may use too.

Really, what good are daggers compared to a short sword or throwing axe?

jh

You can carry more of them.

They are easier to conceal.

They are fairly cheap.

Then the non-combat applications. Eating utensil. Cutting rope. Carving or whitling. Religious or Arcane ceremonies. Gatheirng herbs. Gutting fish. Skinning game.

You really might want to think of things in the game less on how powerful something is than what it can be used for. I like the ROLE-playing as opposed to the ROLL-playing.

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

Why would anyone want to carry a 9mm when you could carry a tactical thermonuclear device?

 

[Shadowdancer]

This question is close to blasphemy.

Almost every character I've ever played in D&D has used throwing daggers as a major/primary weapon. Back in 1E, I had a character who was double specialized in throwing daggers. He had 30 of them strapped onto various parts of his body. I could do 10 points of damage just from my bonuses alone. I could routinely do more damage with a dagger than if I maxed out my damage rolls with my longsword. Plus I could throw three daggers a round! Boy, I miss those days.

When we play even with 3E, most cities and large towns won't let you openly carry most weapons, including all swords, unless you are a member of the city guard or a bonded bodyguard with a license to carry such. Daggers are the only weapons which can legally be carried openly.

For a rogue they are a good ranged weapon, especially if you have an strength bonus at all. Move to about 10 feet away, stop, and throw. If you get your sneak attack bonus, this can be pretty lethal at lower levels. Just remember to retrieve all of your daggers once the fight is finished.