I haven't played dnd for a pretty long time and getting back into the game.
I recently had my first meeting with my new group and created my character with their help, since I never played 5e before. I decided to play a paladin and when it came to picking equipment, my DM told me I could choose between 2 martial weapons or 1 martial weapon + shield (as the Player's Handbook states). I picked a halberd (and a shield). However, my DM told me that's not possible, bc I have to pick a one-handed weapon.
Is he right? Technically the Handbook only states "martial weapon", which the halbeard is. You could argue, that the given options imply, that you are only allowed to get one-handed weapons (either dual-wielding or sword + shield), but that kind of stretches the wording in my opinion. I also checked Warrior and Barbarian starting equipment, which also never specify whether the weapons have to be one- or two-handed. Only Barbarian states, that you can pick either Greataxe (two-handed) or any martial melee weapon.
Since the DM and the other guys have more experience in playing DnD, I trust their judgement, however I think they are wrong this time. I feel like it would greatly diminish your character-building, if no character (maybe except for Barbarian) would be allowed to use a two-handed weapon at the beginning. Or is this, bc it might be considered OP?
So who is right? Help appreciated :)
P.S: Not being able to use a two-handed weapon wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me, but if the rules allowed for it, I'd do so.
Your choices for starting equipment for a paladin are:
EQUIPMENT You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background: • (a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons - (a) five javelins or (b) any simple melee weapon • (a) a priest's pack or (b) an explorer's pack • Chain mail and a holy symbol
So, unless there is a house rule otherwise, you can take a halberd or greatsword and a shield as your choice of martial weapon and a shield. HOWEVER, as mentioned above you can't use these at the same time since two handed weapons like the halberd or greatsword require two hands to use and a shield uses one hand. So you can't USE two handed weapons and a shield at the same time. Your DM may have been referring to this. You could take a halberd and a shield then pick up a 1 handed simple weapon (like a mace) instead of javelins which would give you a 1 handed weapon to use with the shield along with the 2 handed polearm to use without the shield.
probably have to clear that up with my DM. I'm intending to pick halberd + shield and the 5 javelins for versatility since you can use the javelins also in melee, if I'm right.
So I will either fight two-handing my halberd for damage (and style) or fight with javelin + shield.
Your choices for starting equipment for a paladin are:
EQUIPMENT You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background: • (a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons - (a) five javelins or (b) any simple melee weapon • (a) a priest's pack or (b) an explorer's pack • Chain mail and a holy symbol
So, unless there is a house rule otherwise, you can take a halberd or greatsword and a shield as your choice of martial weapon and a shield. HOWEVER, as mentioned above you can't use these at the same time since two handed weapons like the halberd or greatsword require two hands to use and a shield uses one hand. So you can't USE two handed weapons and a shield at the same time. Your DM may have been referring to this. You could take a halberd and a shield then pick up a 1 handed simple weapon (like a mace) instead of javelins which would give you a 1 handed weapon to use with the shield along with the 2 handed polearm to use without the shield.
Technically, they could use the javelin for the melee weapon with the shield.
Unless the DM is ruling that you have to take a 1 handed weapon when taking a shield, there is no reason why you couldn't. I sometimes take a greatsword and a mail with the two martial weapon option. There are options to split the difference: versatile weapons. You could take a longsword which would deal 1d8 damage when wielded with one hand (ie when you are going sword and board) or 1d10 damage when wielded with two hands.
My suggestion would be to either let the DM know that you are planning on using your javelin (or other simple weapon that isn't a greatclub or other heavy simple weapon if I'm forgetting one) with the shield and your halberd otherwise. If the DM still insists, take the longsword (or other versatile d8/d10 weapon) for the martial weapon and keep your eyes peeled for that halberd or other 2 hand weapon in game.
This seems more like a "helpful" DM than anything.
There is no rule about what you can or can't take with the starting equipment. If something says "pick from this list of Items that meet a certain criteria" you can pick any item on that list.
You cannot use a 2 handed weapon and a shield at the same time. As long as you're fine with having to swap your build depending on weapon/armor desires, then you're good by the RAW (rules as written). Have fun storming the castle!
As the other have said, you can pick any combination of options in your class's starting equipment.
Unless your DM is generous about inventory management, the main limiting factor is going to be what you can easily carry. The problem with having a shield, a halberd, and a bunch of javelins is that the halberd and javelins practically require being carried by hand (and so do most other weapons besides daggers and one-handed swords).
probably have to clear that up with my DM. I'm intending to pick halberd + shield and the 5 javelins for versatility since you can use the javelins also in melee, if I'm right.
So I will either fight two-handing my halberd for damage (and style) or fight with javelin + shield.
Javelin and shield combo works. Remember that it takes a full action to put on and another full action to take off a shield.
As others have already mentioned, it seems that your DM could only be referring to USING a two-handed weapon with a shield. You most certainly should be allowed to CHOOSE a two-handed weapon with a shield as a starting option. And after testing creating a paladin with D&D Beyond, I can choose a Halberd and a Shield to start off with.
There is an alternate method of getting starting equipment covered in the books, but it might be more expensive and if you really do roll for it, you might not have enough coins to get them all.
PHB - Ch 1: Step-By-Step Characters - Choose Equipment - "Instead of taking the gear given to you by your class and background, you can purchase your starting equipment. You have a number of gold pieces (gp) to spend based on your class, as shown in chapter 5. Extensive lists of equipment, with prices, also appear in that chapter. If you wish, you can also have one trinket at no cost (see the "Trinkets" table at the end of chapter 5)."
PHB - Ch 5: Equipment - Starting Equipment - "When you create your character, you receive equipment based on a combination of your class and background. Alternatively, you can start with a number of gold pieces based on your class and spend them on items from the lists in this chapter. See the Starting Wealth by Class table to determine how much gold you have to spend."
PHB - Ch 5: Equipment - Wealth - Starting Wealth by Class - "Paladin - 5d4 x 10 gp"
The book also suggests coming up with a story as to how you came by this starting equipment like having family heirlooms, prior army equipment, spending your life's savings, etc.
Now down to the weapon choice itself. I've listed the weapons you've talked about as well as alternate weapons to consider if you're looking for something similar and/or trying to get stats if you're not wanting a weapon for story purposes or looks.
Lance - 1d12 Piercing, Reach, Special (Disadvantage at 5 ft, Two-Handed when not mounted) - Martial Weapon, 10 gp
The "Versatile" weapons would be nice as they can switch from being one-handed to two-handed for more damage whenever.
As for the rule of a 2 handed weapon, you can hold it with one hand, just not attack with it.
PHB - Ch 5: Equipment - Weapons - Weapon Properties - Two-Handed - "This weapon requires two hands when you attack with it. This property is relevant only when you attack with the weapon, not when you simply hold it."
Also, as others mentioned, taking out or putting away your shield takes 1 action.
PHB - Ch 5: Equipment - Armor and Shields - Getting Into and Out of Armor "Shield takes 1 action to Don (equip) or Doff (put away)"
Also keep in mind that any spell that requires Somatic or Material components also takes a hand whether you are using the components or your spell casting focus (Holy Symbol for paladins.)
PHB - Ch 10: Spellcasting - Casting a Spell - Components - Somatic (S) - "Somatic (S) Spellcasting gestures might include a forceful gesticulation or an intricate set of gestures. If a spell requires a somatic component, the caster must have free use of at least one hand to perform these gestures." AND Material (M) - "A spellcaster must have a hand free to access a spell's material components — or to hold a spellcasting focus — but it can be the same hand that he or she uses to perform somatic components."
So that would be another thing that gets switched out so you have a hand to use even if you decide to never use a shield. But remember that Two-Handed weapons allow you to hold the weapon in a single hand, just not attack with it.
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Good luck and may you roll 20's when you need them and 1's when you need a laugh. - myself
Nothing says you have to use or keep the shield. Though at that point, might as well just take two different martial weapons, one of them being the halberd you want and the other being whatever strikes your fancy.
Hi everybody,
I haven't played dnd for a pretty long time and getting back into the game.
I recently had my first meeting with my new group and created my character with their help, since I never played 5e before. I decided to play a paladin and when it came to picking equipment, my DM told me I could choose between 2 martial weapons or 1 martial weapon + shield (as the Player's Handbook states). I picked a halberd (and a shield). However, my DM told me that's not possible, bc I have to pick a one-handed weapon.
Is he right? Technically the Handbook only states "martial weapon", which the halbeard is. You could argue, that the given options imply, that you are only allowed to get one-handed weapons (either dual-wielding or sword + shield), but that kind of stretches the wording in my opinion. I also checked Warrior and Barbarian starting equipment, which also never specify whether the weapons have to be one- or two-handed. Only Barbarian states, that you can pick either Greataxe (two-handed) or any martial melee weapon.
Since the DM and the other guys have more experience in playing DnD, I trust their judgement, however I think they are wrong this time. I feel like it would greatly diminish your character-building, if no character (maybe except for Barbarian) would be allowed to use a two-handed weapon at the beginning. Or is this, bc it might be considered OP?
So who is right?
Help appreciated :)
P.S: Not being able to use a two-handed weapon wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me, but if the rules allowed for it, I'd do so.
Your choices for starting equipment for a paladin are:
EQUIPMENT
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
• (a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons
- (a) five javelins or (b) any simple melee weapon
• (a) a priest's pack or (b) an explorer's pack
• Chain mail and a holy symbol
So, unless there is a house rule otherwise, you can take a halberd or greatsword and a shield as your choice of martial weapon and a shield. HOWEVER, as mentioned above you can't use these at the same time since two handed weapons like the halberd or greatsword require two hands to use and a shield uses one hand. So you can't USE two handed weapons and a shield at the same time. Your DM may have been referring to this. You could take a halberd and a shield then pick up a 1 handed simple weapon (like a mace) instead of javelins which would give you a 1 handed weapon to use with the shield along with the 2 handed polearm to use without the shield.
Thx guys,
probably have to clear that up with my DM. I'm intending to pick halberd + shield and the 5 javelins for versatility since you can use the javelins also in melee, if I'm right.
So I will either fight two-handing my halberd for damage (and style) or fight with javelin + shield.
Technically, they could use the javelin for the melee weapon with the shield.
Unless the DM is ruling that you have to take a 1 handed weapon when taking a shield, there is no reason why you couldn't. I sometimes take a greatsword and a mail with the two martial weapon option. There are options to split the difference: versatile weapons. You could take a longsword which would deal 1d8 damage when wielded with one hand (ie when you are going sword and board) or 1d10 damage when wielded with two hands.
My suggestion would be to either let the DM know that you are planning on using your javelin (or other simple weapon that isn't a greatclub or other heavy simple weapon if I'm forgetting one) with the shield and your halberd otherwise. If the DM still insists, take the longsword (or other versatile d8/d10 weapon) for the martial weapon and keep your eyes peeled for that halberd or other 2 hand weapon in game.
This seems more like a "helpful" DM than anything.
There is no rule about what you can or can't take with the starting equipment. If something says "pick from this list of Items that meet a certain criteria" you can pick any item on that list.
You cannot use a 2 handed weapon and a shield at the same time. As long as you're fine with having to swap your build depending on weapon/armor desires, then you're good by the RAW (rules as written). Have fun storming the castle!
As the other have said, you can pick any combination of options in your class's starting equipment.
Unless your DM is generous about inventory management, the main limiting factor is going to be what you can easily carry. The problem with having a shield, a halberd, and a bunch of javelins is that the halberd and javelins practically require being carried by hand (and so do most other weapons besides daggers and one-handed swords).
The Forum Infestation (TM)
Javelin and shield combo works. Remember that it takes a full action to put on and another full action to take off a shield.
As others have already mentioned, it seems that your DM could only be referring to USING a two-handed weapon with a shield. You most certainly should be allowed to CHOOSE a two-handed weapon with a shield as a starting option. And after testing creating a paladin with D&D Beyond, I can choose a Halberd and a Shield to start off with.
There is an alternate method of getting starting equipment covered in the books, but it might be more expensive and if you really do roll for it, you might not have enough coins to get them all.
PHB - Ch 1: Step-By-Step Characters - Choose Equipment - "Instead of taking the gear given to you by your class and background, you can purchase your starting equipment. You have a number of gold pieces (gp) to spend based on your class, as shown in chapter 5. Extensive lists of equipment, with prices, also appear in that chapter. If you wish, you can also have one trinket at no cost (see the "Trinkets" table at the end of chapter 5)."
PHB - Ch 5: Equipment - Starting Equipment - "When you create your character, you receive equipment based on a combination of your class and background. Alternatively, you can start with a number of gold pieces based on your class and spend them on items from the lists in this chapter. See the Starting Wealth by Class table to determine how much gold you have to spend."
PHB - Ch 5: Equipment - Wealth - Starting Wealth by Class - "Paladin - 5d4 x 10 gp"
The book also suggests coming up with a story as to how you came by this starting equipment like having family heirlooms, prior army equipment, spending your life's savings, etc.
Now down to the weapon choice itself. I've listed the weapons you've talked about as well as alternate weapons to consider if you're looking for something similar and/or trying to get stats if you're not wanting a weapon for story purposes or looks.
PHB - Ch 5: Equipment - Weapons - Simple Melee Weapoons AND Martial Melee Weapons
The "Versatile" weapons would be nice as they can switch from being one-handed to two-handed for more damage whenever.
As for the rule of a 2 handed weapon, you can hold it with one hand, just not attack with it.
PHB - Ch 5: Equipment - Weapons - Weapon Properties - Two-Handed - "This weapon requires two hands when you attack with it. This property is relevant only when you attack with the weapon, not when you simply hold it."
Also, as others mentioned, taking out or putting away your shield takes 1 action.
PHB - Ch 5: Equipment - Armor and Shields - Getting Into and Out of Armor "Shield takes 1 action to Don (equip) or Doff (put away)"
Also keep in mind that any spell that requires Somatic or Material components also takes a hand whether you are using the components or your spell casting focus (Holy Symbol for paladins.)
PHB - Ch 10: Spellcasting - Casting a Spell - Components - Somatic (S) - "Somatic (S) Spellcasting gestures might include a forceful gesticulation or an intricate set of gestures. If a spell requires a somatic component, the caster must have free use of at least one hand to perform these gestures." AND Material (M) - "A spellcaster must have a hand free to access a spell's material components — or to hold a spellcasting focus — but it can be the same hand that he or she uses to perform somatic components."
So that would be another thing that gets switched out so you have a hand to use even if you decide to never use a shield. But remember that Two-Handed weapons allow you to hold the weapon in a single hand, just not attack with it.
Good luck and may you roll 20's when you need them and 1's when you need a laugh. - myself
You can take any martial weapon and a shield.
Nothing says you have to use or keep the shield. Though at that point, might as well just take two different martial weapons, one of them being the halberd you want and the other being whatever strikes your fancy.
Shorter answer: There is absolutely no rule anywhere in the PHB that says a Paladin can't start the game with a 2-handed weapon.
Done.
DICE FALL, EVERYONE ROCKS!