Weapon Size Confusion

[Technik4]

Lo and there is finally a cost to using a Large Weapon (if medium-sized).

"A Medium character wielding a Large weapon (whether that weapon is a dagger, longsword, greatsword, or crossbow) takes a -2 penalty to attacks with the weapon." -Andy Collins

Just picked this up on the WotC Q&A thread, thought I would share.

Upon reflection, I am fairly certain this applies as I am implying, but Im not positive. For instance:

A ftr1 wields a greatsword (which is a Large Weapon) and suffers a -2 penalty to attack. If he wielded a medium-sized greatsword (Medium Weapon) he does not suffer a -2 penalty to attack but it probably does less damage than the large version (d10 I would imagine).

Technik

 

[Pbartender]

No, no, no...

Don't worry.

Here's what this is all about...

There will now be different weapon lists for different sized creatures/characters. For example, there will be a "small" shortsword, a "medium" Shortsword and a "large" Shortsword.

A human would be able to use a medium shortsword without penalty, but if he tried to use a shortsword built for an ogre (large shortsword), or a halfling (small shortsword), he'd take a -2 penalty to his attack rolls.

Make sense?

I believe it was done to clear up certain class weapon proficiencies (especially the rogue's).

I'll see if I can find the reference to it. I'd read it around here somewhere.

 

[Technik4]

So where does this leave the greatsword?

Will a medium greatsword be built for a small character, and similarly a large greatsword be of use for a medium character? Does this mean an ogre is using a Huge greatsword?

I understand the application wrt to the shortsword.

Technik

 

[hong]

So where does this leave the greatsword?

Will a medium greatsword be built for a small character, and similarly a large greatsword be of use for a medium character? Does this mean an ogre is using a Huge greatsword?

I understand the application wrt to the shortsword.

Technik

As I understand it, all the weapons applicable for a given size of character have the same size category. So a human fighter (size M) would use a medium shortsword (1d6), medium longsword (1d8) and medium greatsword (2d6). A halfling fighter (size S) would use a small shortsword (1d4), small longsword (1d6) and small greatsword (2d4?). An ogre would use a large shortsword (1d8), large longsword (1d12?) and large greatsword (3d6?).

Which brings up an interesting question. Are there any weapon categorisations beyond "light" and "two-handed"? Do you still get size-based bonuses for disarm checks?

 

[Pbartender]

The descriptor refers to the size of the creature meant to weild the weapon, not the weapon itself.

For example, a "small" greatsword, would be a medium-sized meant to be used by small-sized characters two-handed.

A "medium" greatsword would still be large-sized.

A "large" greatsword would be huge-sized.

It sounds confusing, but would make much more sense if the full lists were available.

EDIT: Hong may be right... We'll have to wait until we can see the charts, or someone who's seen an advance copy can clarify. I know the categorizations by creature size is correct, though.

 

[Conaill]

As I understand it, the different weapon classes will be renamed - probably Light, One-handed and Two-handed. That should clear up the confusion somewhat. So a Small greatsword would be a Light weapon for a Large creature (provided he could wield it, I believe you can only go one size category up or down, at a -2 to wield).

 

[Duke Frinn]

A halfling, a human, and an ogre are each holding a greatsword.

The halfling swings his small, two-handed weapon, dealing 1d10.

The human swings his medium, two-handed weapon, dealing 2d6.

The ogre swings his large, two-handed weapon, dealing 2d8.

The human kills the ogre, and throws his medium weapon away. He swings the ogre's large two-handed weapon with a -2 penalty, dealing 2d8.

The halfling picks up the human sword, swinging it with a -2 penalty, dealing 2d6.

The reduced gnome picks up the halflings small greatsword, and kills him by swinging the 1d10 dealing sword with a -2 penalty.

The ogre's sister comes and picks up the human's weapon, dealing 2d6 on a one-handed swing, with a -2 penalty to attack.

The she-ogre than uses the variant found in the DMG 3.5, wherein the medium greatsword is like a large longsword, now swinging the sword with no penalty to attack.

 

[DWARF]

Anyone else having trouble with this new weapon size system, whereas the old one was perfectly clear?

I swear, it's like going to THAC0 after having "To hit".

 

[Pbartender]

A halfling, a human, and an ogre are each holding a greatsword.

The halfling swings his small, two-handed weapon, dealing 1d10.

The human swings his medium, two-handed weapon, dealing 2d6.

The ogre swings his large, two-handed weapon, dealing 2d8.

The human kills the ogre, and throws his medium weapon away. He swings the ogre's large two-handed weapon with a -2 penalty, dealing 2d8.

The halfling picks up the human sword, swinging it with a -2 penalty, dealing 2d6.

The reduced gnome picks up the halflings small greatsword, and kills him by swinging the 1d10 dealing sword with a -2 penalty.

The ogre's sister comes and picks up the human's weapon, dealing 2d6 on a one-handed swing, with a -2 penalty to attack.

The she-ogre than uses the variant found in the DMG 3.5, wherein the medium greatsword is like a large longsword, now swinging the sword with no penalty to attack.

Makes perfect sense to me.

 

[Destil]

Anyone else having trouble with this new weapon size system, whereas the old one was perfectly clear?

I swear, it's like going to THAC0 after having "To hit".

It dosn't mesh well. I'd much rather they had fixed some silly inconsistancys in the weapon chart (small rapier vs. kukri) myself... though could just be not knowing the new language well.