You know, one of the things about the trident is that it really doesn't have compelling documentation of being used as a weapon outside of Roman gladiatorial arenas. From that standpoint, it honestly should be an inferior weapon, since the point was to give an exciting fight for the audience rather than to be efficient at killing enemy soldiers.
I suspect it might be a similar case to the scythe. A trident is just a pitchfork, which is an agricultural implement. It would be used as an improvised weapon by revolting peasants or conscripts, but not by professional soldiers.
The trident is primarily a fishing tool- that's why it's associated with the sea god Poseidon/Neptune and why the gladiators who used it also used a net and a helmet shaped like a fish.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I suspect it might be a similar case to the scythe. A trident is just a pitchfork, which is an agricultural implement. It would be used as an improvised weapon by revolting peasants or conscripts, but not by professional soldiers.
Any peasant revolt that is particularly serious about what it's doing will spend the time to straighten a scythe and convert a pitchfork into multiple spears. It's more for impromptu mobs. In any case, a trident isn't the same thing as a pitchfork -- it's a fishing tool, not a farming tool.
A little bit late to this party but like mentioned in the beginning in the discussion whips aren't that bad considering it's properties, that said the lackluster damage makes it an unappealing option despite those properties. I still think a d6 would make it more appealing without making the other options less appealing, also maybe allow it to deal nonlethal dmg?
Another way to make them more appealing could be to, like with polearm master, allow them to attack people as opponents enter their range. I'd be cautious with allowing them to disarm, restrain and such, considering how impactful those actions can be against the right opponents.
A little bit late to this party but like mentioned in the beginning in the discussion whips aren't that bad considering it's properties, that said the lackluster damage makes it an unappealing option despite those properties. I still think a d6 would make it more appealing without making the other options less appealing, also maybe allow it to deal nonlethal dmg?
There's no nonlethal damage in 5E. When you reduce a target to 0 HP with a melee weapon, you can choose to have them fall unconscious rather than die.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I enjoy reading other peoples ideas of how to fix the generic feel of some of the non-magic using classes.
I would like to see weapon speed brought into the conversation. The whip could be more effective because it could be a fast weapon and grant more attacks but smaller damage per attack. A greatsword would be a slow attack (allowing only one attack) but do greater damage per attack. You could implement a house rule easily by saying "Light weapons can use the bonus action for an extra attack and a single heavy weapon attacks also use the bonus action. Not perfect, but simple.
Blowgun definitely needs some love.
Some homebrew poison or magic darts would probably do it.
The trident is primarily a fishing tool- that's why it's associated with the sea god Poseidon/Neptune and why the gladiators who used it also used a net and a helmet shaped like a fish.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Any peasant revolt that is particularly serious about what it's doing will spend the time to straighten a scythe and convert a pitchfork into multiple spears. It's more for impromptu mobs. In any case, a trident isn't the same thing as a pitchfork -- it's a fishing tool, not a farming tool.
A little bit late to this party but like mentioned in the beginning in the discussion whips aren't that bad considering it's properties, that said the lackluster damage makes it an unappealing option despite those properties. I still think a d6 would make it more appealing without making the other options less appealing, also maybe allow it to deal nonlethal dmg?
Another way to make them more appealing could be to, like with polearm master, allow them to attack people as opponents enter their range. I'd be cautious with allowing them to disarm, restrain and such, considering how impactful those actions can be against the right opponents.
There's no nonlethal damage in 5E. When you reduce a target to 0 HP with a melee weapon, you can choose to have them fall unconscious rather than die.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I enjoy reading other peoples ideas of how to fix the generic feel of some of the non-magic using classes.
I would like to see weapon speed brought into the conversation. The whip could be more effective because it could be a fast weapon and grant more attacks but smaller damage per attack. A greatsword would be a slow attack (allowing only one attack) but do greater damage per attack. You could implement a house rule easily by saying "Light weapons can use the bonus action for an extra attack and a single heavy weapon attacks also use the bonus action. Not perfect, but simple.