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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cap'n Kobold" data-source="post: 7714931" data-attributes="member: 6802951">I think that there is less of an issue with a finesse reach weapon than a finesse Heavy weapon in terms of ability balance: the higher damage possible for a Polearm mastery and/or GWM feat is regarded as the last bastion of where a Strength build can beat a Dex build.Although needless to say, I would also have conceptual issues with a Finesse Heavy weapon as well. I think that that is confusing a weapon wielded with finesse (ie with great skill and/or style) and the game term: finesse weapon (a melee weapon with which you can apply Dex mod to attack and damage rather than Str mod).Whipping a weapon around very fast is not an indication of a finesse weapon. If anything, the speed with which a weapon is moved is a factor of the force applied to it and the athleticism of the wielder - both of which are the purview of Strength in 5e. Likewise the characters in those films didn't dump Str: they often display great feats of strength in 5e D&D terms: breaking objects and weapons, jumping great heights and similar athletics.The display flourishes  in many of those films likewise are more a Performance check than a Dex-based attack.Now, they do also show great dexterity as well in avoiding attacks, feats of balance etc. But speed in repeated stabbing or whipping a weapon around is not a function of dexterity in 5e.A finesse weapon in D&D 5e is one that doesn't require any force or degree of athleticism to wield: It is a weapon with which a 10-year-old child is just as dangerous as an adult in terms of ability to strike and lethality of wounds inflicted. Whether it is Bonnie Langford or Bruce Lee using it, its just as lethal.Historical longsword (two-handed sword in D&D terms) does indeed have a lot more finesse than shown in the most films. That doesn't make it a finesse weapon in D&D game terms. Reflexes and balance are important, but so is force - translating into the speed with which you can control the weapon, and athleticism - translating into the speed with which you move your body, for both attack and defence. If you have to simplify things down however, I think that D&D's use of Dex as the stat most important for avoiding attacks, and Str as the stat most important for attacking is probably the best compromise.</blockquote>

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