D&D 5E Weapons and armor: Using Strength instead of class proficiencies. Using str or dex for all melee weapons.

[Coroc]

Name a real world medieval weapon that required Olympic-level strength to achieve even basic effectiveness with. The only possible candidate I can think of is the longbow. For everything else, sure, a higher strength level is good to have, but hand an average person say a mace and they're still quite capable of using it to deadly effect with the proper training. So rules like this (as seen in games like Diablo) always strain my suspension of disbelief.

On a mechanical level, this just has the effect of being a multiplier to a character's Strength bonus to damage, because the score increases the size of the damage die and then is added directly on top of that.

Agree partially, a high tension bow requires strength in some muscle groups, which are pretty untrained in normal people.
A mace is a different issue. Buddy of mine has a flanged mace for his LARPs and it is about 12 pound or so. You really need decent strength to swing this thing and stop the momentum before hitting yourself in the leg or such, if you miss. The thing looks very realistic and has the right physical dimension, its flanges just are not sharpened. It is definitely not like a wooden club it weighs a multiple of that.
swinging a "longsword " (=Bastard sword) onehanded with its center of percussion being about the same distance like the mace but only weighing 3-4 pounds or so is far easier, I can assure you that, I tried.

 

[Horwath]

But we don't use ASIs, only feats!

then no full plate for you!
Unless, you are a Mt. Dwarf.

 

[DND_Reborn]

While a lot of thought and work went into this, it is not a way to go IMO. 5E rules and systems are (in theory) supposed to be about simplicity.

IF you want minimum STR requirements, a simple house-rule we used is you must have a STR equal to the maximum weapon damage or your attacks are with disadvantage. This includes all ranged weapons.

Examples:
a d8 weapon needs a minimum STR 8
a d12 weapon needs a minimum STR 12

Now, we have since dropped the rule. Why? Because it is pointless. It complicates the game and only serves to restrict things.

I, myself, would have a STR 10-11 (perfectly average), but with training and conditioning, I could wield any weapon. Granted, such "conditioning" would improve my STR, maybe a point or two, but high ability scores make people better at wielding them and shouldn't be a requirement for their normal use. Most people who are "strong" would likely have a STR of 12-15 IMO. If you look at the variant encumbrance rules, not many people have a STR 16+, but many of your suggestions require ridiculously high scores.

If it works for you, have fun with it. I would never play at a table with this system, however, but that is just my take on it. The concept isn't bad, but the numbers are way too high (as others have suggested). When you bring the numbers down to a reasonable and realistic level, you find that they rarely come up, and you are better off just not using the rule/system.

 

[dave2008]

then no full plate for you!
Unless, you are a Mt. Dwarf.

No, if I were to use your idea I would just revise you table ro what seems more realistic for our world.

 

[Xeviat]

Being not strong enough for a weapon simulates that the weapon will tire you out. I'm somewhat strong, mostly just because I'm tall, but if I swing any of my swords around I tire quickly. Training would reduce this to a point.

Leather armor needs Dex 20 to maximize it's AC, so requiring Str 20 to maximize heavy armor AC isn't entirely out of the question.

My only concern is that it could further weaken the medium armor folks, requiring middling Str and Dex to get the most out of their AC. This could hurt Clerics and Druids more than intended.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Being not strong enough for a weapon simulates that the weapon will tire you out. I'm somewhat strong, mostly just because I'm tall, but if I swing any of my swords around I tire quickly. Training would reduce this to a point.

Leather armor needs Dex 20 to maximize it's AC, so requiring Str 20 to maximize heavy armor AC isn't entirely out of the question.

My only concern is that it could further weaken the medium armor folks, requiring middling Str and Dex to get the most out of their AC. This could hurt Clerics and Druids more than intended.

I would argue against it. They are unequal in many ways (cost and weight, disadvantage on stealth), and those who wear light armor and want to max out the AC will most likely want to max out DEX for attacks and damage anyway. As where heavy armor is used by clerics and others who will want a good STR (15-16) but have other scores (such as WIS) where maxing it out is likely of more importance.

 

[Xeviat]

I would argue against it. They are unequal in many ways (cost and weight, disadvantage on stealth), and those who wear light armor and want to max out the AC will most likely want to max out DEX for attacks and damage anyway. As where heavy armor is used by clerics and others who will want a good STR (15-16) but have other scores (such as WIS) where maxing it out is likely of more importance.

Maaaaaybe ... 16 max str seems potentially fair. It would require some investment for the Cleric, though.

Here's the real question for the OP; is this to simplify character creation, simulate reality, or balance the options in the game. Knowing the intent could help.

Who is getting the most out of heavy armor without having a high/maxed Str? Fighter Archers? Heavy Clerics?

 

[Horwath]

@Xeviat

1. I do not like weapon/armor proficiency tied to class.
I like World of darkness/DragonAge RPG with Str as requirement better.

2. I would like to have difference in combat ability between classes to be represented with Extra attack, fighting styles and feats and not be locked behind starting proficiencies.

3. And I wanted to give more impact to the Strength ability in the game.

 

[Weiley31]

Eh I prefer everything as is.

 

[CubicsRube]

@Horwath shadow of the demon lord uses minimum str requirements instead of class proficiencies and it works excellently