A heavy weapon cannot be wielded effectively by a small creature, right? But there are certain features and potions and whatnot that make it so that your size is considered one size larger when determining what you can push, drag or lift. So if you're say, a kobold who has something that gives them this ability, can they use weapons with the heavy property without suffering disadvantage?
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If you are able to increase your actual size class using an effect such as the enlarge/reduce spell, then you can wield a heavy weapon without penalties for as long as that effect lasts.
Effects such as Powerful Build however only apply in the specific cases that they state and no others, so simply being able to carry/drag/lift/push more weight is not enough, as those are the only circumstances in which your size class is considered to be greater than normal. Your DM is free to rule otherwise, but Rules As Written the only way to wield a heavy weapon without penalty is to change your size class to Medium or larger.
It's probably worth keeping in mind that narratively it's not really the weight of the weapon, but the size, that matters; an effective pike is at least 10 feet long (usually closer to 12 to 14), so if you're only 3-4 feet tall (or shorter) then it doesn't matter how much you can lift, that's still going to be difficult weapon to wield effectively.
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If you are able to increase your actual size class using an effect such as the enlarge/reduce spell, then you can wield a heavy weapon without penalties for as long as that effect lasts.
Effects such as Powerful Build however only apply in the specific cases that they state and no others, so simply being able to carry/drag/lift/push more weight is not enough, as those are the only circumstances in which your size class is considered to be greater than normal. Your DM is free to rule otherwise, but Rules As Written the only way to wield a heavy weapon without penalty is to change your size class to Medium or larger.
It's probably worth keeping in mind that narratively it's not really the weight of the weapon, but the size, that matters; an effective pike is at least 10 feet long (usually closer to 12 to 14), so if you're only 3-4 feet tall (or shorter) then it doesn't matter how much you can lift, that's still going to be difficult weapon to wield effectively.
'Aight, thanks for clearing that up!
I'll just have to find another way to achieve my dream of a goliath character wielding a giant's weapons...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Being gender-fluid and pansexual makes roleplay a lot easier!
A heavy weapon cannot be wielded effectively by a small creature, right? But there are certain features and potions and whatnot that make it so that your size is considered one size larger when determining what you can push, drag or lift. So if you're say, a kobold who has something that gives them this ability, can they use weapons with the heavy property without suffering disadvantage?
Such feature would not help a Small creature attack with a heavy weapon, but it would help carry it's weight more easily before being encumbered.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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A heavy weapon cannot be wielded effectively by a small creature, right? But there are certain features and potions and whatnot that make it so that your size is considered one size larger when determining what you can push, drag or lift. So if you're say, a kobold who has something that gives them this ability, can they use weapons with the heavy property without suffering disadvantage?
Being gender-fluid and pansexual makes roleplay a lot easier!
If you are able to increase your actual size class using an effect such as the enlarge/reduce spell, then you can wield a heavy weapon without penalties for as long as that effect lasts.
Effects such as Powerful Build however only apply in the specific cases that they state and no others, so simply being able to carry/drag/lift/push more weight is not enough, as those are the only circumstances in which your size class is considered to be greater than normal. Your DM is free to rule otherwise, but Rules As Written the only way to wield a heavy weapon without penalty is to change your size class to Medium or larger.
It's probably worth keeping in mind that narratively it's not really the weight of the weapon, but the size, that matters; an effective pike is at least 10 feet long (usually closer to 12 to 14), so if you're only 3-4 feet tall (or shorter) then it doesn't matter how much you can lift, that's still going to be difficult weapon to wield effectively.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
'Aight, thanks for clearing that up!
I'll just have to find another way to achieve my dream of a goliath character wielding a giant's weapons...
Being gender-fluid and pansexual makes roleplay a lot easier!
Such feature would not help a Small creature attack with a heavy weapon, but it would help carry it's weight more easily before being encumbered.