Magic Weapon - Snowbreaker (longsword)

Hi all,

I'm trying to make a magical weapon which is a utility item which has since been reused as a weapon by some yeti in a frozen port which they have found in the ice.

The item was originally intended as an icebreaker for the prow of a boat, which would allow small impacts from the boat to crack the ice with ease, allowing them to sail through the icy waters safely.

The yeti have since found it and attached a handle, allowing the one who did to become the chieftain, because the weapon is effective against things which are immune to cold damage (IE Ice).

I don't want this thing to be spectacular, and the barbarian is the only one who would wield a greatsword (and he has 2 powerful weapons already) so I picked a longsword instead. My current spitball idea is:

The Snowcutter

magical weapon (Longsword, Rare)

Str Requirement: 12. +1 Weapon. When dealing damage to creatures which are resistant to cold damage, treat damage rolls of a 2 or less as a 3. When dealing damage to a creature with immunity to cold damage, treat damage rolls of a 4 or less as a 5.

I am thinking that the snowcutter would originally have been designed to always deal moderate damage to ice, regardless of how hard you hit it, so this makes sense to me.

Does this look reasonable to everyone?

Apart from the name discrepancy and the arbitrary strength requirement, it seems fine.

TBH it seems like a pointless item if the only PC who would use it is a Barbarian that is built to use a greatsword. Consider:

Ordinary Greatsword = 2d6+STR = 7+STR
This Longsword = 1d8+STR+1 = 5.5+STR
This Longsword vs Cold Resistant = 6+STR
This Longsword vs Cold Immune = 6.75+STR

If they use the Longsword two-handed that's another +1 to the expected damage, making this Longsword vs a Cold Immune creature the equivalent of a +1 Greatsword.

Snowcutter should be Uncommon not Rare.

I opted for the strength requirement because it's meant to fit to the front of a boat, not to be an actual weapon. Also, on the naming discrepancy, I simply forgot what I called it on my own document when I wrote the post, then copied it over, and didn't notice the error!

I agree that the damage output makes this somewhat underwhelming, and the party is level 13, so what about...

The Snowcutter

magical weapon (Longsword, Rare)

Str Requirement: 12. +1 Longsword, requires attunement. The Snowcutter has 3 charges. When you hit with a melee attack using the Snowcutter, you can expend a charge to cast Shatter at second level (save DC 15), centred on the target of your attack. When you cast this spell this way, it does not affect you.

The wording may need polishing up, but I'm trying to think of a good way to make a magical icebreaker that's been turned into a weapon! The alternative is to copy the wording of Shatter and apply it only to the target. Thoughts?

That's more cool and useful, not only can it be used on enemies but it could also be a utility thing to smash open a door or something.