Weapon Finesse

[aliensex]

Ok, here is the weapon finesse feat:

WEAPON FINESSE [General]
COPYRIGHT 2000, System Reference Document
Choose one light weapon. Alternatively, the character can choose a rapier, provided the character can use it in one hand, or a spiked chain, provided the character is at least Medium-size.
Prerequisite: Proficient with weapon, base attack bonus +1 or higher.
Benefit: With the selected weapon, the character may use a Dexterity modifier instead of a Strength modifier on attack rolls. Since the character needs the second hand for balance, apply the armor check penalty of any shield worn to attack rolls.
Special: The character can gain this feat multiple times. Each time the character takes the feat, it applies to a new weapon.

Now, the description says "Choose one light weapon", however, there is no "light" classification for weapons, only size. In the equipment description for dagger, it states that it is a light weapon, and can be used with this feat, but I see no mention of this in any other weapon description.

My question, what exactly is a light weapon (other than rapier and spiked chain), and are there any others? I think a short sword should be considered light to a typical medium sized creature, but there is no mention of this. What do you think?

 

[Airwolf]

Here is the description of a light weapon from the SRD:

* If a combatant's off-hand weapon is light, the penalties are reduced by 2 each. A light weapon is one that's smaller than a weapon a combatant could use in one hand. Its size category is smaller than a combatant's. (An unarmed strike is always considered light.)

It comes from the combat modifiers section. Here is the web address:

http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/srd/srdcombatmodifiers.html

Hope this helps.

 

[aliensex]

HEY! I never thought about the off-hand weapon rule as defining what a "light" weapon is. DUH! Its still a little confusing though. It says that a "light" weapon is smaller than a weapon a combatant could use in one hand. Is that just refering purely to the weapon size itself? So a medium-sized human could use a short sword as an off hand weapon, and thus all Small and Tiny weapons are considered "light" for them?

It sounds like that would be the rule, any thoughts?

 

[Darklone]

Sorry for no page number but the PHB contains a section where they explain which weapons you consider light or have to use two hands to wield it. Probably at the beginning of the equipment section or combat section.

 

[aliensex]

Really? Must have missed it. I'll go over it tonight. Thanks!

 

[aliensex]

OOOH! I just thought. Could you take weapon finesse for Unarmed Strike? The off-hand rule details that it is always considered "light". Of course, then you have to debate whether it is considered a weapon per se. Would make for an interesting martial artist fighter though!

 

[Christian]

OOOH! I just thought. Could you take weapon finesse for Unarmed Strike?

This falls into the category of 'feats that 90% of monks eventually take'. Yes, you can take weapon finesse for unarmed strike. (The 10% are the monks belonging to players who realize that Strength is actually more important than Dex for a monk, and get to spend that feat slot on something else. But that's another rant. )

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Yes, you can use Weapon Finesse with a monk's unarmed strike, or even a fighter's unarmed strike, if you really want to.

For the monk, it's a good idea. Monks tend to have higher Dex than Strength, and they hardly ever hit anything.

 

[Henrix]

The definition of light is in the beginning of the Equipment chapter of the PHB, under Weapon Categories.

 

[hammymchamham]

From the SRD

Light: If the weapon's size category is smaller than the character's, then the weapon is light for that character. Light weapons are easier to use in the off hand, and they can be used while grappling. A light weapon can be used in one hand. There is no special bonus when using such a weapon in two hands.