D&D 5E Why do Armblades need Attunement?

[Paul Farquhar]

Armblades are a little bigger than daggers, right?

An armblade can be any weapon, even a two handed sword or lance.

It still folds up to fit inside the warforged's arm though. An artificer did it.

 

[Coroc]

An armblade can be any weapon, even a two handed sword or lance.

It still folds up to fit inside the warforged's arm though. An artificer did it.

Are we talking about (Eberron-specific?) Weapon attachments for warforged or the kind of thing the guy from assassins creed or Robert de Niro in the movie "Taxi driver" are using?

 

[MarkB]

An armblade can be any weapon, even a two handed sword or lance.

Actually, it has to be a one-handed melee weapon.

 

[auburn2]

With a quarterstaff someone could “Would you take the walking stick of an old man?” trick that honestly makes sense in the world.

This would only work if he is actually old or disguises himself.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Actually, it has to be a one-handed melee weapon.

Whist you are correct that rules out a two handed sword, the lance is fine.

 

[MarkB]

Whist you are correct that rules out a two handed sword, the lance is fine.

The lance isn't one-handed, it's "special". It would be up to the DM whether it qualifies.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

The lance isn't one-handed, it's "special". It would be up to the DM whether it qualifies.

There is no "one handed" weapon property. Ergo any weapon that does not have the "two handed" property is one handed.

 

[MarkB]

There is no "one handed" weapon property. Ergo any weapon that does not have the "two handed" property is one handed.

Is a weapon that can be treated as one-handed under specific circumstances a one-handed weapon for the purposes of restrictions on magical weapons? That's a DM call.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Is a weapon that can be treated as one-handed under specific circumstances a one-handed weapon for the purposes of restrictions on magical weapons? That's a DM call.

The wording of the lance isn't that it is one handed under specific circumstances, it's that it is two handed under specific circumstances.

 

[Al2O3]

The wording of the lance isn't that it is one handed under specific circumstances, it's that it is two handed under specific circumstances.

So the Lance can be an armblade while mounted, but stops qualifying and drops off as soon as you dismount?