Weapon Proficiency

[Water Bob]

Riddle me this..


Let's say you've got a Barbarian, and he's using a hunting spear as a weapon. That's a Simple Weapon. That's no problem because the Barbarains are given the Simple and Martial weapon Feats for free.

What happens when your Barbarian runs into some other barbarians, less advanced than he, that are using hunting spears classified as Primitive Weapons?

Does the Barbarian suffer the penalty for not being proficienct with the weapon? Technically, the rules say, "Yes".

Your thoughts?

 

[Ashtagon]

What rule are you referring to? The only 3e reference to "primitive weapons" and proficiency I am aware of is Complete Warrior p158, which doesn't even mention spears (and is subjective to the person, not objective to the weapons in question).

 

[Water Bob]

What rule are you referring to? The only 3e reference to "primitive weapons" and proficiency I am aware of is Complete Warrior p158, which doesn't even mention spears (and is subjective to the person, not objective to the weapons in question).

I'm speaking of the non-proficientcy rule--the penalty you take if you use a weapon for which you are not proficient.

Forget the Primitive Weapons category. Use the Exotic Weapon category instead. Our Barbarian uses a Longsword, which is a Martial weapon. Then, let's say he comes across a sword that is considered exotic because of how its manufactured and the kingdom in which it's made. Let's say it's a special dwarven sword, about the same size as a longsword, but has a saw edge on it. It's considered an exotic weapon.

You get the same problem. It's a "like weapon" those the character is proficient with but in a category where the character doesn't have proficientcy.

Which way do you go? Enforce the proficientcy or over-rule the rule-book and allow your Barabarian to also be proficient with the Primitive or Exotic like weapon.

 

[Dandu]

A Bastard Sword is an exotic weapon, but it can be wielded as a 2 handed martial weapon without incurring any penalties. Perhaps a similar ruling could be invoked in some cases for exotic weapons.

Don't think the saw toothed sword would be close enough to a regular sword to avoid a penalty though.

 

[Water Bob]

You know, I just realized my error..."Primitive" weapons are not a proficiencty category but a quality rating, like High Quality or Masterwork.

Man...I'm glad I posted this. It made me look harder at something I was reading incorrectly!

Thanks guys!