So, I was looking into the Yklwa IRL and I was curious as to why, in 5e, it is classified as a thrown weapon when it was actually used as a stabbing spear? I agree with the piercing damage but I don't see how it is a thrown weapon in game and a stabbing weapon IRL. I can agree with it being split for various reasons, but it should at the very least be a one handed weapon.
It's a simple weapon that does 1d8 piercing damage, one handed, and can also be thrown a short distance. Not seeing the problem? The real world version was also thrown even if that wasn't it's primary purpose or use, and the range on this is 10/30, which is pretty crappy, but the fact that it offers niche versatility and is a 1d8 simple weapon makes it pretty good.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
OK, I see the problem, you're not understanding the rules properly. The thrown property doesn't mean that is *all* it can do, it merely means that you can use Strength to throw it, and it has a defined short and long range. It is still classified as a simple melee weapon, which means it's primary purpose is to be used in melee. Since it doesn't have any other property like finesse, it uses the Strength ability by default.
the Yklwa is defined as a simple melee weapon, with the thrown weapon property.
A yklwa (pronounced YICK-ul-wah) is a simple melee weapon that is the traditional weapon of Chultan warriors. A yklwa consists of a 3-foot wooden shaft with a steel or stone blade up to 18 inches long. It costs 1 gp, and it deals 1d8 piercing damage on a hit. Although it has the thrown weapon property, the yklwa is not well balanced for throwing (range 10/30 ft.).
This means it is used as a melee weapon but can, as per the Basic Rules / Player's Handbook, also be thrown as an attack.
It also doesn't have the Light property, which Two-Weapon Fighting requires.
"When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you're holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you're holding in the other hand."
You could technically still wield two, and just flavor your multiple attacks as being from either one.
Personally, I'm more confused as to why it's a strength based weapon and not dex based, a shortened spear was usually designed for smaller people and tighter spaces where a full sized spear was impractical.
All thrown weapons are strength based for ranged attacks, rather than dexterity. The finesse property doesn't really map onto small or compact weapons, more light, agile ones. In fact, in small confined spaces, strength is going to be your biggest asset, not dexterity.
I have a host of questions about this item and how I would use it in the context of the new character I am making for my next campaign. When I saw it in the options I figured it would be interesting to give it a shot since it is a unique weapon. I am playing a Sorcerer of the Divine Soul class. Since this is basically a shorter short spear I thought it would work good since I plan on using focus based spells for my sorcerer to avoid friendly fire (Using Magic Missile instead of Burning Hands concept. Target specific targets instead of just everyone generally in front of me). For me the Yklwa does 1d8+0 piercing damage when I wield it, my first question is how does this transfer over into its thrown aspect? is it still 1d8+0P when I throw it and I just role to land a successful throw? Next question is how does it play into a few unique spells I have found that I could use for the weapon.
Scenario 1. I throw the weapon at minion 1 that is almost down, say I land the throw and he is impaled by the Yklwa, I am now weaponless (Gear set lets me have 2 knives for some reason but I leave them sheathed for this next part). A spell in my arsenal from the Cleric spell list (Result of being Divine Soul Sorcerer) is Guiding Bolt which lets me make a ranged damageing attack of 4d6 on a target which I use on the boss. Text also indicates that the next attack made on this target has advantage due flavored text. If I attack it next and I use the spell Catapult on my Yklwa to throw it at the boss from the dead minions chest, how is the damage for this calculated?
The Yklwa does 1d8 Piercing damage but Catapult does 3d8 Bludgeoning Damage, so which damage is used in this case and how? 3d8 Piercing or Bludgeoning? does the damage from the weapon itself get added in as the first damage effect meaning the magically thrown weapon from the dead minions corpse deals 4d8 p/b damage? What sort of restrictions would be placed on preventing the weapon from being pulled from the dead minions corpse preventing my spell from working on the weapon when I use Catapult? If I use Catapult on a weapon, does it maintain its natural damage property when thrown? (Sword with slashing does 3d8 slashing damage? [Talked with my barbarian friend about being able to use catapult on his mace and shield to pull a Captain America])
Most of the questions stem from how does a spell that does bludgeoning damage work when used on a weapon that does Piercing damage?
A few other small questions about Catapult. Is there anything that would prevent the catapult spell from working on the Yklwa when it is used to pull the item out of a minions chest to throw it at someone else? (Spell indicates that it can't be used on something that is worn or carried. Does having a spear sticking out of your chest count as you wearing/carrying it?) The spell also indicates that it does 3d8 bludgeoning damage to the target and the item used. The Yklwa is intended to be used as a weapon so if it is used in the thrown aspect with this spell does it still take this damage to itself or is the self damage on the weapon negated? If not, how would that be handled?
No, it doesn't. All weapons that count for the PAM feat are either listed in the feat, or have "this weapon counts as a spear" in its description.
Yah that seems to be the consensus. I figured that was the case, but I haven't been able to find any clarification one way or the other from official/unofficial sources. Thanks for your input all.!
I have to disagree with pretty much everything here. there are plenty of weapons that are thrown and have finesse, namely one of the most common weapons a dagger.
These short spears that were made IRL were made to use cheaper lighter materials IE less metal so they are more agile and require less strength.
As for the confined spaces, I would agree for hand to hand but I would much rather face a huge dude in a small cave or alley with a giant axe or long sword then his scrawny little mate with a dagger. It doesn't take a lot of effort to break the skin with a sharpened blade, but it does take a lot of space to swing a big strength-based weapon.
as for my original question, I do get now that mechanically they can't really go giving a 1d8 weapon to low-level chars, personally i theory crafted a Barb / Rogue char that was thoroughly insane at level 4 with a custom yklwa that had finesse.
I have to disagree with pretty much everything here. there are plenty of weapons that are thrown and have finesse, namely one of the most common weapons a dagger.
These short spears that were made IRL were made to use cheaper lighter materials IE less metal so they are more agile and require less strength.
As for the confined spaces, I would agree for hand to hand but I would much rather face a huge dude in a small cave or alley with a giant axe or long sword then his scrawny little mate with a dagger. It doesn't take a lot of effort to break the skin with a sharpened blade, but it does take a lot of space to swing a big strength-based weapon.
as for my original question, I do get now that mechanically they can't really go giving a 1d8 weapon to low-level chars, personally i theory crafted a Barb / Rogue char that was thoroughly insane at level 4 with a custom yklwa that had finesse.
sorry misclick this was meant to be a direct reply to
All thrown weapons are strength based for ranged attacks, rather than dexterity. The finesse property doesn't really map onto small or compact weapons, more light, agile ones. In fact, in small confined spaces, strength is going to be your biggest asset, not dexterity.
I have to disagree with pretty much everything here. there are plenty of weapons that are thrown and have finesse, namely one of the most common weapons a dagger.
There are only two - dagger and dart - and only one of those is a melee weapon.
Finesse weapons are those for which delicacy can substitute for force. For example, there are no finesse bludgeoning weapons because "finesse" and "blunt instrument" do not go together.
There is only one d8 finesse weapon - rapier - and it is quite expensive.
If the five melee weapons with the finesse tag, three are tagged light and can be therefore used with two-weapon fighting without the feat.
Simply put, Dexterity is already a god-stat. Adding the finesse tag to more weapons makes this worse, not better.
So, I was looking into the Yklwa IRL and I was curious as to why, in 5e, it is classified as a thrown weapon when it was actually used as a stabbing spear? I agree with the piercing damage but I don't see how it is a thrown weapon in game and a stabbing weapon IRL. I can agree with it being split for various reasons, but it should at the very least be a one handed weapon.
It's a simple weapon that does 1d8 piercing damage, one handed, and can also be thrown a short distance. Not seeing the problem? The real world version was also thrown even if that wasn't it's primary purpose or use, and the range on this is 10/30, which is pretty crappy, but the fact that it offers niche versatility and is a 1d8 simple weapon makes it pretty good.
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
― Oscar Wilde.
In RAW it is classified as thrown
https://www.dndbeyond.com/equipment/yklwa
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
― Oscar Wilde.
Hi there Apollo0624,
the Yklwa is defined as a simple melee weapon, with the thrown weapon property.
This means it is used as a melee weapon but can, as per the Basic Rules / Player's Handbook, also be thrown as an attack.
Pun-loving nerd | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
"We got this, no problem! I'll take the twenty on the left - you guys handle the one on the right!"🔊
Could you dual wield it? It's listed as one-handed and doesn't have versatile.
It also doesn't have the Light property, which Two-Weapon Fighting requires.
"When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you're holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you're holding in the other hand."
You could technically still wield two, and just flavor your multiple attacks as being from either one.
There's always Mithril and Dual Wielder feat as well. Nifty, thank you.
Correct. Requires more investment to work, but it's certainly workable.
I'm familiar with mithral armor, but I don't know if 5e has any rules for mithral weapons, but it'd be reasonable imo for a DM to allow it either way.
Personally, I'm more confused as to why it's a strength based weapon and not dex based, a shortened spear was usually designed for smaller people and tighter spaces where a full sized spear was impractical.
All thrown weapons are strength based for ranged attacks, rather than dexterity. The finesse property doesn't really map onto small or compact weapons, more light, agile ones. In fact, in small confined spaces, strength is going to be your biggest asset, not dexterity.
D&D Beyond moderator across forums, Discord, Twitch and YouTube. Always happy to help and willing to answer questions (or at least try). (he/him/his)
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat On - Mod Hat Off
Site Rules & Guidelines - Homebrew Rules - Looking for Players and Groups Rules
I have a host of questions about this item and how I would use it in the context of the new character I am making for my next campaign. When I saw it in the options I figured it would be interesting to give it a shot since it is a unique weapon. I am playing a Sorcerer of the Divine Soul class. Since this is basically a shorter short spear I thought it would work good since I plan on using focus based spells for my sorcerer to avoid friendly fire (Using Magic Missile instead of Burning Hands concept. Target specific targets instead of just everyone generally in front of me). For me the Yklwa does 1d8+0 piercing damage when I wield it, my first question is how does this transfer over into its thrown aspect? is it still 1d8+0P when I throw it and I just role to land a successful throw? Next question is how does it play into a few unique spells I have found that I could use for the weapon.
Scenario 1. I throw the weapon at minion 1 that is almost down, say I land the throw and he is impaled by the Yklwa, I am now weaponless (Gear set lets me have 2 knives for some reason but I leave them sheathed for this next part). A spell in my arsenal from the Cleric spell list (Result of being Divine Soul Sorcerer) is Guiding Bolt which lets me make a ranged damageing attack of 4d6 on a target which I use on the boss. Text also indicates that the next attack made on this target has advantage due flavored text. If I attack it next and I use the spell Catapult on my Yklwa to throw it at the boss from the dead minions chest, how is the damage for this calculated?
The Yklwa does 1d8 Piercing damage but Catapult does 3d8 Bludgeoning Damage, so which damage is used in this case and how? 3d8 Piercing or Bludgeoning? does the damage from the weapon itself get added in as the first damage effect meaning the magically thrown weapon from the dead minions corpse deals 4d8 p/b damage? What sort of restrictions would be placed on preventing the weapon from being pulled from the dead minions corpse preventing my spell from working on the weapon when I use Catapult? If I use Catapult on a weapon, does it maintain its natural damage property when thrown? (Sword with slashing does 3d8 slashing damage? [Talked with my barbarian friend about being able to use catapult on his mace and shield to pull a Captain America])
Most of the questions stem from how does a spell that does bludgeoning damage work when used on a weapon that does Piercing damage?
A few other small questions about Catapult. Is there anything that would prevent the catapult spell from working on the Yklwa when it is used to pull the item out of a minions chest to throw it at someone else? (Spell indicates that it can't be used on something that is worn or carried. Does having a spear sticking out of your chest count as you wearing/carrying it?) The spell also indicates that it does 3d8 bludgeoning damage to the target and the item used. The Yklwa is intended to be used as a weapon so if it is used in the thrown aspect with this spell does it still take this damage to itself or is the self damage on the weapon negated? If not, how would that be handled?
Heres a really good question for folks..
Does a Yklwa count as a spear for the purposes of the polearm master feat?
I don't think so.
No, it doesn't. All weapons that count for the PAM feat are either listed in the feat, or have "this weapon counts as a spear" in its description.
D&D Beyond moderator across forums, Discord, Twitch and YouTube. Always happy to help and willing to answer questions (or at least try). (he/him/his)
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat On - Mod Hat Off
Site Rules & Guidelines - Homebrew Rules - Looking for Players and Groups Rules
Yah that seems to be the consensus. I figured that was the case, but I haven't been able to find any clarification one way or the other from official/unofficial sources. Thanks for your input all.!
I have to disagree with pretty much everything here. there are plenty of weapons that are thrown and have finesse, namely one of the most common weapons a dagger.
These short spears that were made IRL were made to use cheaper lighter materials IE less metal so they are more agile and require less strength.
As for the confined spaces, I would agree for hand to hand but I would much rather face a huge dude in a small cave or alley with a giant axe or long sword then his scrawny little mate with a dagger. It doesn't take a lot of effort to break the skin with a sharpened blade, but it does take a lot of space to swing a big strength-based weapon.
as for my original question, I do get now that mechanically they can't really go giving a 1d8 weapon to low-level chars, personally i theory crafted a Barb / Rogue char that was thoroughly insane at level 4 with a custom yklwa that had finesse.
sorry misclick this was meant to be a direct reply to
There are only two - dagger and dart - and only one of those is a melee weapon.
Finesse weapons are those for which delicacy can substitute for force. For example, there are no finesse bludgeoning weapons because "finesse" and "blunt instrument" do not go together.
There is only one d8 finesse weapon - rapier - and it is quite expensive.
If the five melee weapons with the finesse tag, three are tagged light and can be therefore used with two-weapon fighting without the feat.
Simply put, Dexterity is already a god-stat. Adding the finesse tag to more weapons makes this worse, not better.
Not a yklwa that's a Iklwa a zulu spear I thought the same thing