So, between the PHB and DMG, the closest thing I can get to a definition of what is (or is not) a 'Magical Weapon' is the following from the DMG:Chapter 7 Treasure - Magic Items - Magic Item Categories - WeaponsA magic weapon is typically a magical version of a weapon from the Player’s Handbook. Some magic weapons specify the type of weapon they are in their descriptions, such as a Longsword or Longbow. If no weapon type is specified, you may choose the type or determine it randomly.
The reason for wanting the clarification is that Warlock Pact of the Blade states:
As a Bonus Action, you can ... create a bond with a magic weapon you touch; you can’t bond with a magic weapon if someone else is attuned to it or another Warlock is bonded with it. Until the bond ends, you have proficiency with the weapon, and you can use it as a Spellcasting Focus.
Your bond with the weapon ends if you use this feature’s Bonus Action again, if the weapon is more than 5 feet away from you for 1 minute or more, or if you die. A conjured weapon disappears when the bond ends.
The Soulknife Rogue psychic blades are a weapon, they have a profile, category and properties etc and is even described as a magic blade in the text.
Q - Would you allow a Warlock-Rogue multiclass to turn their Psychic blade(s) into a Pact weapon? My biggest argument against is that the flavour indicates that the psychic blades are brand new blades each time they are generated.
So, between the PHB and DMG, the closest thing I can get to a definition of what is (or is not) a 'Magical Weapon' is the following from the DMG:Chapter 7 Treasure - Magic Items - Magic Item Categories - WeaponsA magic weapon is typically a magical version of a weapon from the Player’s Handbook. Some magic weapons specify the type of weapon they are in their descriptions, such as a Longsword or Longbow. If no weapon type is specified, you may choose the type or determine it randomly.
The reason for wanting the clarification is that Warlock Pact of the Blade states:
As a Bonus Action, you can ... create a bond with a magic weapon you touch; you can’t bond with a magic weapon if someone else is attuned to it or another Warlock is bonded with it. Until the bond ends, you have proficiency with the weapon, and you can use it as a Spellcasting Focus.
Your bond with the weapon ends if you use this feature’s Bonus Action again, if the weapon is more than 5 feet away from you for 1 minute or more, or if you die. A conjured weapon disappears when the bond ends.
The Soulknife Rogue psychic blades are a weapon, they have a profile, category and properties etc and is even described as a magic blade in the text.
Q - Would you allow a Warlock-Rogue multiclass to turn their Psychic blade(s) into a Pact weapon? My biggest argument against is that the flavour indicates that the psychic blades are brand new blades each time they are generated.
Even if a psychic blade does count as a magic weapon in this context, it doesn't matter, because there's no way to actually bond with it.
The reason for this is that the Psychic Blades feature specifically says that they disappear immediately after hitting or missing a target, and you can only create them as part of attacking with one. There is no opportunity to use a bonus action (necessary to create the pact weapon bond) in between creating the psychic blade and it vanishing, so there's no way to bond with it.
Whether it's the same or a different blade when you create it again also doesn't matter, because Pact of the Blade requires you to be touching the weapon when you bond with it, and again, you are only ever touching it in the middle of making an attack with it, which is not a time when you can use a bonus action.
Technically, the Psychic Blades are not magic weapons. They count as a weapon, they deal psychic damage, but are not considered magical, so even if you could hold them long enough, they would not qualify as pact weapons.
Either version of Psychic Blade does mention it being a "magic blade" in the description, but in a way that makes it fluff more than describing an actual property. Particularly in 2024 where they actually did a whole write-up of the properties. And even if you can squint and turn your head enough to try and force the language of the two features to sorta-kinda line up, you're clearly not following RAI.
Q - Would you allow a Warlock-Rogue multiclass to turn their Psychic blade(s) into a Pact weapon?
No because a Psychic Blade is not a magical version of a weapon from the Player’s Handbook per se, its a magic blade of psychic energy categorized as a weapon existing only for an instant.
Q - Would you allow a Warlock-Rogue multiclass to turn their Psychic blade(s) into a Pact weapon?
No because a Psychic Blade is not a magical version of a weapon from the Player’s Handbook per se, its a magic blade of psychic energy categorized as a weapon existing only for an instant.
Shadow blade is magic, a weapon, and not in the Player's Handbook.
Q - Would you allow a Warlock-Rogue multiclass to turn their Psychic blade(s) into a Pact weapon?
No because a Psychic Blade is not a magical version of a weapon from the Player’s Handbook per se, its a magic blade of psychic energy categorized as a weapon existing only for an instant.
[spells]Shadow blade[/spell] is magic, a weapon, and not in the Player's Handbook.
It’s also not being discussed here; the possible interaction between Soulknife’s Psychic Blade feature and the Warlock Pact of the Blade feature.
Q - Would you allow a Warlock-Rogue multiclass to turn their Psychic blade(s) into a Pact weapon?
No because a Psychic Blade is not a magical version of a weapon from the Player’s Handbook per se, its a magic blade of psychic energy categorized as a weapon existing only for an instant.
[spells]Shadow blade[/spell] is magic, a weapon, and not in the Player's Handbook.
It’s also not being discussed here; the possible interaction between Soulknife’s Psychic Blade feature and the Warlock Pact of the Blade feature.
I was refuting part of a proof. I believe that shadow blade proves that magic weapons don't need to be versions of weapons from the player's handbook.
Q - Would you allow a Warlock-Rogue multiclass to turn their Psychic blade(s) into a Pact weapon?
No because a Psychic Blade is not a magical version of a weapon from the Player’s Handbook per se, its a magic blade of psychic energy categorized as a weapon existing only for an instant.
[spells]Shadow blade[/spell] is magic, a weapon, and not in the Player's Handbook.
It’s also not being discussed here; the possible interaction between Soulknife’s Psychic Blade feature and the Warlock Pact of the Blade feature.
I was refuting part of a proof. I believe that shadow blade proves that magic weapons don't need to be versions of weapons from the player's handbook.
Except Shadow Blade only lasts for 1 minute, so it’s no good for the version of Pact of the Blade applicable when it was released. Ergo, it’s still a non-starter as anything but a clearly unintended oversight of adjusting the time factor of Pact of the Blade. Yes, Shadow Blade is a weapon that is magical, but any reasonable reading of the context of Pact of the Blade tells us the spell and feature are not meant to interact.
Q - Would you allow a Warlock-Rogue multiclass to turn their Psychic blade(s) into a Pact weapon?
No because a Psychic Blade is not a magical version of a weapon from the Player’s Handbook per se, its a magic blade of psychic energy categorized as a weapon existing only for an instant.
[spells]Shadow blade[/spell] is magic, a weapon, and not in the Player's Handbook.
It’s also not being discussed here; the possible interaction between Soulknife’s Psychic Blade feature and the Warlock Pact of the Blade feature.
I was refuting part of a proof. I believe that shadow blade proves that magic weapons don't need to be versions of weapons from the player's handbook.
I mean, the definition given of magic weapon still included the word "typically", so no counter-example was even necessary
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Q - Would you allow a Warlock-Rogue multiclass to turn their Psychic blade(s) into a Pact weapon?
No because a Psychic Blade is not a magical version of a weapon from the Player’s Handbook per se, its a magic blade of psychic energy categorized as a weapon existing only for an instant.
[spells]Shadow blade[/spell] is magic, a weapon, and not in the Player's Handbook.
It’s also not being discussed here; the possible interaction between Soulknife’s Psychic Blade feature and the Warlock Pact of the Blade feature.
I was refuting part of a proof. I believe that shadow blade proves that magic weapons don't need to be versions of weapons from the player's handbook.
Except Shadow Blade only lasts for 1 minute, so it’s no good for the version of Pact of the Blade applicable when it was released. Ergo, it’s still a non-starter as anything but a clearly unintended oversight of adjusting the time factor of Pact of the Blade. Yes, Shadow Blade is a weapon that is magical, but any reasonable reading of the context of Pact of the Blade tells us the spell and feature are not meant to interact.
I'm not saying they can interact. If you actually read what I wrote, you will find that I never claimed that. I was simply pointing out a flaw in someone's logic.
Except Shadow Blade only lasts for 1 minute, so it’s no good for the version of Pact of the Blade applicable when it was released. Ergo, it’s still a non-starter as anything but a clearly unintended oversight of adjusting the time factor of Pact of the Blade. Yes, Shadow Blade is a weapon that is magical, but any reasonable reading of the context of Pact of the Blade tells us the spell and feature are not meant to interact.
If a warlock in my campaign wanted to cast shadow blade and then bond with it, I'd allow it
That wouldn't in any way change the fact that it's a concentration spell with a duration of 1 minute, though
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Jurmondur Magic weapon need not to be a version of the PHB necessarily, nor it's what i said. Some spell or feature can indeed create magic weapons. I gave an opinion wether i'd allow it or not, not sure why you felt the need to refute part of my opinion as proof with a spell not even being discussed related to something i didn't even say, as opposed to just give your opinion on the OP question.
I agree with The_Ace_of_Rogues, the shadow blade spell doesn't work with Pact of the Blade 2014 as originally designed. Revision 2024 could but this is offtopic for the question at hand.
We can see many 2014 + 2024 features interactions creating unforseen results so DM caution is advised.
If it might be interesting for future visitors, I realized that Questions about Warlock was about the interaction between Pact of the Blade and Shadow Blade.
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So, between the PHB and DMG, the closest thing I can get to a definition of what is (or is not) a 'Magical Weapon' is the following from the DMG:Chapter 7 Treasure - Magic Items - Magic Item Categories - WeaponsA magic weapon is typically a magical version of a weapon from the Player’s Handbook. Some magic weapons specify the type of weapon they are in their descriptions, such as a Longsword or Longbow. If no weapon type is specified, you may choose the type or determine it randomly.
The reason for wanting the clarification is that Warlock Pact of the Blade states:
As a Bonus Action, you can ... create a bond with a magic weapon you touch; you can’t bond with a magic weapon if someone else is attuned to it or another Warlock is bonded with it. Until the bond ends, you have proficiency with the weapon, and you can use it as a Spellcasting Focus.
Your bond with the weapon ends if you use this feature’s Bonus Action again, if the weapon is more than 5 feet away from you for 1 minute or more, or if you die. A conjured weapon disappears when the bond ends.
The Soulknife Rogue psychic blades are a weapon, they have a profile, category and properties etc and is even described as a magic blade in the text.
Q - Would you allow a Warlock-Rogue multiclass to turn their Psychic blade(s) into a Pact weapon? My biggest argument against is that the flavour indicates that the psychic blades are brand new blades each time they are generated.
Even if a psychic blade does count as a magic weapon in this context, it doesn't matter, because there's no way to actually bond with it.
The reason for this is that the Psychic Blades feature specifically says that they disappear immediately after hitting or missing a target, and you can only create them as part of attacking with one. There is no opportunity to use a bonus action (necessary to create the pact weapon bond) in between creating the psychic blade and it vanishing, so there's no way to bond with it.
Whether it's the same or a different blade when you create it again also doesn't matter, because Pact of the Blade requires you to be touching the weapon when you bond with it, and again, you are only ever touching it in the middle of making an attack with it, which is not a time when you can use a bonus action.
pronouns: he/she/they
Technically, the Psychic Blades are not magic weapons. They count as a weapon, they deal psychic damage, but are not considered magical, so even if you could hold them long enough, they would not qualify as pact weapons.
Either version of Psychic Blade does mention it being a "magic blade" in the description, but in a way that makes it fluff more than describing an actual property. Particularly in 2024 where they actually did a whole write-up of the properties. And even if you can squint and turn your head enough to try and force the language of the two features to sorta-kinda line up, you're clearly not following RAI.
No because a Psychic Blade is not a magical version of a weapon from the Player’s Handbook per se, its a magic blade of psychic energy categorized as a weapon existing only for an instant.
Shadow blade is magic, a weapon, and not in the Player's Handbook.
It’s also not being discussed here; the possible interaction between Soulknife’s Psychic Blade feature and the Warlock Pact of the Blade feature.
I was refuting part of a proof. I believe that shadow blade proves that magic weapons don't need to be versions of weapons from the player's handbook.
Except Shadow Blade only lasts for 1 minute, so it’s no good for the version of Pact of the Blade applicable when it was released. Ergo, it’s still a non-starter as anything but a clearly unintended oversight of adjusting the time factor of Pact of the Blade. Yes, Shadow Blade is a weapon that is magical, but any reasonable reading of the context of Pact of the Blade tells us the spell and feature are not meant to interact.
I mean, the definition given of magic weapon still included the word "typically", so no counter-example was even necessary
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
I'm not saying they can interact. If you actually read what I wrote, you will find that I never claimed that. I was simply pointing out a flaw in someone's logic.
If a warlock in my campaign wanted to cast shadow blade and then bond with it, I'd allow it
That wouldn't in any way change the fact that it's a concentration spell with a duration of 1 minute, though
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Jurmondur Magic weapon need not to be a version of the PHB necessarily, nor it's what i said. Some spell or feature can indeed create magic weapons. I gave an opinion wether i'd allow it or not, not sure why you felt the need to refute part of my opinion as proof with a spell not even being discussed related to something i didn't even say, as opposed to just give your opinion on the OP question.
I agree with The_Ace_of_Rogues, the shadow blade spell doesn't work with Pact of the Blade 2014 as originally designed. Revision 2024 could but this is offtopic for the question at hand.
We can see many 2014 + 2024 features interactions creating unforseen results so DM caution is advised.
If it might be interesting for future visitors, I realized that Questions about Warlock was about the interaction between Pact of the Blade and Shadow Blade.