the midevial playing cards were Not significantly bigger or thicker than modern ones - you still have to be able to fit 40-70 cards in your hand. if you look at that video earlier you can see that it could be either slashing or piercing but also that its basically only going to work against unarmored foes (a three celery shield stops it) What you might talk to your DM about would be creating a new cantrip that is a cut down version of Chromatic orb skinned as looking like playing cards. range 30', damage 1D4 of the energy type you select spell attack roll to hit.
Ok, a playing card spinning in the air from a world class expert cuts thru 2 celery stalks and fails to stick into a third (from the video) at 3 -4 feet. How is this better than a dagger? Playing cards cut because they are thin and stiff, making them thicker actually reduces their damage not improving it. Realistically playing cards suck as a weapon - BUT the concept the OP had is cool so how to pull it off? Since it is an Arcane Trickster character they have access to magic and cantrips but it means homebrewing a new cantrip - I suggested one possibility here is another: cut down the magic missile spell by taking away the auto hit and making it a single missile not 3, also cutting the range to 30’ flavor the missile as looking like a spinning card in flight.
Ok, a playing card spinning in the air from a world class expert cuts thru 2 celery stalks and fails to stick into a third (from the video) at 3 -4 feet. How is this better than a dagger? Playing cards cut because they are thin and stiff, making them thicker actually reduces their damage not improving it. Realistically playing cards suck as a weapon - BUT the concept the OP had is cool so how to pull it off? Since it is an Arcane Trickster character they have access to magic and cantrips but it means homebrewing a new cantrip - I suggested one possibility here is another: cut down the magic missile spell by taking away the auto hit and making it a single missile not 3, also cutting the range to 30’ flavor the missile as looking like a spinning card in flight.
This guy has it.
I also say that we should look at the shape of most weapons. Axes, which give the most effective slash are curved because you'll always deal damage at a 90 degree angle of the blade. Lindybeige has a great video about this which I've included at the bottom. A flat edge will almost always deal less damage, and with the mass of a card, it couldn't cut very deep. Shiruken and kunai were never deadly blades. They generally just slowed you down and possibly got infected.
Besides that, the Dart as listed in the weapons list isn't a cricket dart which we're all familiar with. It's a tiny hunting spear which has over 100x the mass of a thick metal playing card which still bridges, shuffles, and fits in the hand. (How do they shuffle without destroying their fingers?)
I guess that's a long way to say, "1d4 +dex flavour of choice".
An improvised weapon does 1d4 damage. And you don't get your proficiency bonus unless you pick up the proficiency via a feat or something.
An improvised weapon only does 1d4 if it isn't similar to another weapon. If the stake you are using is "pretty much" a spear, it would do spear damage and use spear proficiency. It's up to the DM, but those rules apply to improvised weapons which bear no resemblance to a weapon.
What he is trying to achieved look more like reskinned darts.
sounds a bit op, no?
the midevial playing cards were Not significantly bigger or thicker than modern ones - you still have to be able to fit 40-70 cards in your hand. if you look at that video earlier you can see that it could be either slashing or piercing but also that its basically only going to work against unarmored foes (a three celery shield stops it) What you might talk to your DM about would be creating a new cantrip that is a cut down version of Chromatic orb skinned as looking like playing cards. range 30', damage 1D4 of the energy type you select spell attack roll to hit.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
now im not the best at game balancing but i think 1d6 slashing dmg sounds good
Ok, a playing card spinning in the air from a world class expert cuts thru 2 celery stalks and fails to stick into a third (from the video) at 3 -4 feet. How is this better than a dagger? Playing cards cut because they are thin and stiff, making them thicker actually reduces their damage not improving it. Realistically playing cards suck as a weapon - BUT the concept the OP had is cool so how to pull it off? Since it is an Arcane Trickster character they have access to magic and cantrips but it means homebrewing a new cantrip - I suggested one possibility here is another: cut down the magic missile spell by taking away the auto hit and making it a single missile not 3, also cutting the range to 30’ flavor the missile as looking like a spinning card in flight.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
in my world, most folks carry 2celery shields...tops.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
This guy has it.
I also say that we should look at the shape of most weapons. Axes, which give the most effective slash are curved because you'll always deal damage at a 90 degree angle of the blade. Lindybeige has a great video about this which I've included at the bottom. A flat edge will almost always deal less damage, and with the mass of a card, it couldn't cut very deep. Shiruken and kunai were never deadly blades. They generally just slowed you down and possibly got infected.
Besides that, the Dart as listed in the weapons list isn't a cricket dart which we're all familiar with. It's a tiny hunting spear which has over 100x the mass of a thick metal playing card which still bridges, shuffles, and fits in the hand. (How do they shuffle without destroying their fingers?)
I guess that's a long way to say, "1d4 +dex flavour of choice".
https://youtu.be/fpYIPlVx4Rs
An improvised weapon only does 1d4 if it isn't similar to another weapon. If the stake you are using is "pretty much" a spear, it would do spear damage and use spear proficiency. It's up to the DM, but those rules apply to improvised weapons which bear no resemblance to a weapon.
What he is trying to achieved look more like reskinned darts.
Is that why it’s Heathsmith and not Healthsmith?😁🤪😳
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Probably, It might depend on your dex