Pg 147 of the PHB: small creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls with heavy weapons (however my group has been known to hand waive this in the case of gnome barbarians because, gnome barbarian)
Along with the rule from the PHB, there is another option. For example, a normal longsword for a medium character could serve as a greatsword for a small character. While the damage of the sword doesn't change, the change of scale can have a similar effect. It also makes for a great story element, e.g. a gnome barbarian using a longsword two-handed like a greatsword.
Along with the rule from the PHB, there is another option. For example, a normal longsword for a medium character could serve as a greatsword for a small character. While the damage of the sword doesn't change, the change of scale can have a similar effect. It also makes for a great story element, e.g. a gnome barbarian using a longsword two-handed like a greatsword.
Well greatsword is a weapon that uses it weight to do more amount of damage. A longsword is not a heavy weapon, so its weight isnt enought to do a greatsword damage.
True. This is why the longsword continues to do the same damage, as I wrote. But the scale would be equivalent. And a gnome with a longsword running around using it like a greatsword is a great story detail.
We can deduce that from other edition, but i can´t find the rule.
For example, attack oportunity now only works when you leave the zone of your enemy according the rule, only in that situation, not when get up off the floor, not when you drink a potion, or many other situations, but is specified.
Not sure if this helps..but I find that when this comes up in game..if they fail a strength save..they can't use it. Or the items is scaled down to size for the character. That seems to be how the DM's I play with handle this. So my gnome gunslinger can pick that cannon up..doesn't lead to him not getting tossed across the room when he tries to shoulder fire the thing like Rambo.
What about other weapons tho ? If the Longsword takes the place of the Greatsword for the small races, what does that imply for Rapiers ? or Shortswords ? Do rapiers become STR-Only ? Do shortswords work like longswords or can they retain their Finesse property because they are also Light ? I think this aspect of the rules could use a bit more fleshing out.
What about other weapons tho ? If the Longsword takes the place of the Greatsword for the small races, what does that imply for Rapiers ? or Shortswords ? Do rapiers become STR-Only ? Do shortswords work like longswords or can they retain their Finesse property because they are also Light ? I think this aspect of the rules could use a bit more fleshing out.
Much of those details are going to be up to the DM. The longsword in this case isn't becoming a greatsword, it does have the versatile property and can be wielded with 2 hands for 1d10 damage instead of 1d8 damage. It doesn't become a greatsword with 2d6 damage. Likewise, a shortsword will still be a shortsword with all of its properties, even if it looks more like a longsword for a gnome or halfling. Rapiers are still rapiers. The only thing that really changes is the flavor of the weapon usage and perhaps the DM rules that the damage type changes (from piercing to slashing) if appropriate.
In some earlier editions small characters were not allowed to use two-handed weapons. So gnomes, halflings, and dwarves couldn't use pole arms, great swords, battle axes, heavy hammers, heavy maces, etc. This was a little odd because the battle axe is such an iconic dwarf weapon. There was also no accounting for any scaled down versions of larger weapons for smaller characters. yes, at some point physics says a gnome sized halberd is not going to work well, but this is fantasy and we are already granting that the gnome exists.
What about Goblins in this context? Falchion {Heavy~2 Handed}, they are not on the Equipment Table. Has that been condensed {Bastard; Claymore & Historical Hand and Half}.
Would all be too large for the Goblin Character to wield successfully. Beautifully flavored, disadvantage attacks. But would it be GREAT SWORD DAMAGE?????
The official equipment options are in the Equipment chapter of the Player's Handbook. Small creatures can't use weapons tagged as Heavy without disadvantage. There's nothing else to it.
How you want to map specific sword designs to the options in the Player's Handbook is for you and your DM to figure out.
I'm glad a lance is not considered heavy. I was getting worried about my Gnome Cavalier build. Phew!
Lance. You have disadvantage when you use a lance to attack a target within 5 feet of you. Also, a lance requires two hands to wield when you aren't mounted.
They have their own problems within 5 feet and more if you aren't mounted. In fact, a greatsword and Lance are the same where they overlap for a gnome. You'll get a benefit in that you can attack at 10 feet, and if your mounted you could conceivably use a shield depending on what the DM rules about holding reins.
What about Goblins in this context? Falchion {Heavy~2 Handed}, they are not on the Equipment Table. Has that been condensed {Bastard; Claymore & Historical Hand and Half}.
Would all be too large for the Goblin Character to wield successfully. Beautifully flavored, disadvantage attacks. But would it be GREAT SWORD DAMAGE?????
Historically a Falchion was neither heavy nor two-handed and would use the same D&D stats as a Scimitar. If you wanted a heavy two-handed falchion like in a video game, it would use the same game stats as a Greatsword. A Claymore would also be a type of Greatsword both historically and in D&D.
A “Bastard Sword” as well as any other “hand-and-a-half swords” would use the D&D stats for a Longsword as that was also historically a “hand-and-a-half sword.” Since a Longsword does not have the heavy property, a Goblin can use one no problemo.
How does weapon proficiency play into this? For example a halfling with Bracers of Archery that grants him proficiency in both shortbow and longbow. But longbow is considered a heavy weapon. But how can he be proficient in it if he can't wield it?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Where is the rule of wielding weapon and size?
Pg 147 of the PHB: small creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls with heavy weapons (however my group has been known to hand waive this in the case of gnome barbarians because, gnome barbarian)
Along with the rule from the PHB, there is another option. For example, a normal longsword for a medium character could serve as a greatsword for a small character. While the damage of the sword doesn't change, the change of scale can have a similar effect. It also makes for a great story element, e.g. a gnome barbarian using a longsword two-handed like a greatsword.
Creator, writer, and producer of Heroes Not Included
I think there should be a feat for small creatures to carry heavy weapons. Look at poppy in league of leyends.
True. This is why the longsword continues to do the same damage, as I wrote. But the scale would be equivalent. And a gnome with a longsword running around using it like a greatsword is a great story detail.
Creator, writer, and producer of Heroes Not Included
We can deduce that from other edition, but i can´t find the rule.
For example, attack oportunity now only works when you leave the zone of your enemy according the rule, only in that situation, not when get up off the floor, not when you drink a potion, or many other situations, but is specified.
Thx!!
Not sure if this helps..but I find that when this comes up in game..if they fail a strength save..they can't use it. Or the items is scaled down to size for the character. That seems to be how the DM's I play with handle this. So my gnome gunslinger can pick that cannon up..doesn't lead to him not getting tossed across the room when he tries to shoulder fire the thing like Rambo.
Because I gave him a strength of 18..
what
Gnomes can be buff...
What about other weapons tho ?
If the Longsword takes the place of the Greatsword for the small races, what does that imply for Rapiers ? or Shortswords ? Do rapiers become STR-Only ? Do shortswords work like longswords or can they retain their Finesse property because they are also Light ? I think this aspect of the rules could use a bit more fleshing out.
Much of those details are going to be up to the DM. The longsword in this case isn't becoming a greatsword, it does have the versatile property and can be wielded with 2 hands for 1d10 damage instead of 1d8 damage. It doesn't become a greatsword with 2d6 damage. Likewise, a shortsword will still be a shortsword with all of its properties, even if it looks more like a longsword for a gnome or halfling. Rapiers are still rapiers. The only thing that really changes is the flavor of the weapon usage and perhaps the DM rules that the damage type changes (from piercing to slashing) if appropriate.
In some earlier editions small characters were not allowed to use two-handed weapons. So gnomes, halflings, and dwarves couldn't use pole arms, great swords, battle axes, heavy hammers, heavy maces, etc. This was a little odd because the battle axe is such an iconic dwarf weapon. There was also no accounting for any scaled down versions of larger weapons for smaller characters. yes, at some point physics says a gnome sized halberd is not going to work well, but this is fantasy and we are already granting that the gnome exists.
What about Goblins in this context? Falchion {Heavy~2 Handed}, they are not on the Equipment Table. Has that been condensed {Bastard; Claymore & Historical Hand and Half}.
Would all be too large for the Goblin Character to wield successfully. Beautifully flavored, disadvantage attacks. But would it be GREAT SWORD DAMAGE?????
Darrell Pavey
The official equipment options are in the Equipment chapter of the Player's Handbook. Small creatures can't use weapons tagged as Heavy without disadvantage. There's nothing else to it.
How you want to map specific sword designs to the options in the Player's Handbook is for you and your DM to figure out.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
I'm glad a lance is not considered heavy. I was getting worried about my Gnome Cavalier build. Phew!
Lance. You have disadvantage when you use a lance to attack a target within 5 feet of you. Also, a lance requires two hands to wield when you aren't mounted.
They have their own problems within 5 feet and more if you aren't mounted. In fact, a greatsword and Lance are the same where they overlap for a gnome. You'll get a benefit in that you can attack at 10 feet, and if your mounted you could conceivably use a shield depending on what the DM rules about holding reins.
Yep, I realize that. Again, just happy it's not considered heavy so he can use it.
weopon master
Historically a Falchion was neither heavy nor two-handed and would use the same D&D stats as a Scimitar. If you wanted a heavy two-handed falchion like in a video game, it would use the same game stats as a Greatsword. A Claymore would also be a type of Greatsword both historically and in D&D.
A “Bastard Sword” as well as any other “hand-and-a-half swords” would use the D&D stats for a Longsword as that was also historically a “hand-and-a-half sword.” Since a Longsword does not have the heavy property, a Goblin can use one no problemo.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
How does weapon proficiency play into this? For example a halfling with Bracers of Archery that grants him proficiency in both shortbow and longbow. But longbow is considered a heavy weapon. But how can he be proficient in it if he can't wield it?