I honestly do like how most of the solutions for making weapons interesting is "reintroduce 3rd edition stuff," or "steal the weapon traits from Pathfinder 2e." It really does show you just how boring a lot of the weapons are in 5e.

@WolfHreda

Ай бұрын

In their drive to simplify the rules of D&D, they went a bit too far.

One variation I like for the longsword is, instead of a damage increase when used two-handed, to give a +1 to AC (when used two-handed), to simulate the dueling style of fighting, where the sword is used as much for defense as for attacking.

@monoclesquid9667

Ай бұрын

I give em Finesse when two-handed

Though it's not something I used on my personal take on the Longsword (it's sadly pretty basic, only Flexible (bonus attack small tick of damage(1d4) of any damage type) and Versatile), it's interesting that you bring up the Bastard Sword here, which I found in other places and did a few extra tweaks to. One of the keywords I added for the Bastard Sword specifically was the *Braced* keywords, where if used two-handed via Versatile, it gains +5ft Reach (It's other keywords are Heavy, Versatile, and and Variable, aka able to do all basic physical damage types). I added it to a handful of other weapons here and there, but a general idea of larger melee weapons having reach or not could be an argument all of itself as well. I do have an Odachi as well, but it's more set up as a Greatsword analogue proper and thus I'll stop my yappin' here.

@SethAbercromby

Ай бұрын

I always think it's funny people think the bastard sword is between the longsword and the greatsword, when it instead represents the middle ground between the one-handed arming sword and the two-handed longsword. In terms of size a longsword is much more closely related to greatswords, in fact the claymore just a century before was considered a greatsword and has virtually identical proportions to the longsword.

I think it'd be neat if longswords were made to be a 2-handed finesse weapon. That way rogues can actually benefit from their longsword proficiency. Perhaps with the bastardsword from older editions being reintroduced to fill the longsword's original niche as a versatile weapon. also the technique you called half-swording is called a "mordschlag" or murder stroke :3

@altrolerpg

Ай бұрын

I actually homebrewed a falchion for my most recent campaign, which was essentially a 1d8 finesse and versatile (1d10) weapon. When I get to the "Weapons I Want" series, I definitely plan on going over Sabres to fill that niche for Rogues

@badideagenerator2315

Ай бұрын

@@altrolerpg that's an interesting choice, although weren't falchions almost exclusively one-handed? a falchion could definitely work as a slashing alternative to rapiers.

@altrolerpg

Ай бұрын

@@badideagenerator2315 My research on them is admittedly sparse as I'm focusing more on the rest of the 5e weapons right now, but there are surprisingly few falchions that survived to the modern day which makes it hard to determine exact specifications. However, there are some artistic depictions of falchions/"choppers" from the medieval period being used in two hands (Such as in the Maciejowski Bible)

Loved the video. The Ahoy format and style made it even better! Historical examples and practical claims was a fresh point out. Made me rethink the usage of the weapon in DnD.

I like the less damage for blunt damage but think there should be piercing damage since that is the real reason for half sword technique Half Sword technique give perhaps less damage (piercing, blunt), but better chance of hitting and less range. But advantage in wrestling Swords could also have a defensive component because you can parry better with a sword than with other weapons

Excellent video. In particular, I love the fact that you pointed out the D&D 3.5e nuance of critical ranges between swords and axes. There are a lot of great recommendations in this video. The bludgeoning option was very clever. I had a player back in the day who wanted to do exactly what you said and it worked great. Bravo.

I agree, D&D weapons are not clearly defined. Some comments: 1:30 "Shortsword" is a late medieval name for the Arming Sword because it's shorter than the Longsword. "Bastard Swords" are short bladed Longswords. The Gladius and Xiphos are called "Mediterranean Iron Age swords" or "Classical swords" or "Ancient swords" 2:38 The Spatha is not an Arming Sword because it doesn't have a crossguard. 4:46 The Japanese equivalent to the Longsword was called the Tachi.

In games that I have played in and run, I have argued for the long sword to be able to wield the bling piercing and slashing damage. However, the player must declare it before they attack as well as the damage is 1d6/d8 for piercing, and d8 for bludgeoning but must be done with two hands.

Honestly,I would run half swording as an improvised weapon option,using it as a 2 handed d8 bludgeoning or piercing weapon ruling it like a great club. Probably pair it with tavern brawler or if allowed, the humblewood settings scoftlaw for improvised weapon proficiency.

Just found your channel, I like it! Hmm... I think I would do things slightly differently. First, I would roll ALL the special abilities of the weapons or armor into the actual Proficiencies with the weapon or armor in question. This works both mechanically and narratively by representing the training and expertise the character has with something. Then I would look at adding most of these special abilities on an X times per day basis, probably proficiency bonus times per day for balance reasons. Why? Lets use the Longsword for an example. You could use it to do the standard Slashing damage(unlimited), Or you could Half Sword it to do Piercing damage with a + 1 or +2 to hit to represent how the long sword was used historically to deal with armored foes by getting into all the joints and gaps, gotta crack that lobster out of it`s shell somehow... (Prof. times per day), Or you could do bludgeoning damage to represent hitting the enemy with the pommel (Prof times per day), OR you can add cutting the hamstring for the 10 foot slow (Prof times per day), similar to stepping on a Caltrop or One DnD`s Hamstring rule, OR you can add damage mitigation similar to the Interception Fighting Style from Tasha`s, i.e. You can use your reaction to reduce the damage YOU take by 1d10 + your proficiency bonus (to a minimum of 0 damage) (Prof times per day) while using the Long Sword two handed and just call it a Parry. Note the two handed part, so as not to interfere with other options like using a shield. All this by just rolling these options into the proficiency with something. An untrained person (and thus unskilled) wouldn't be able to do these things and would just "flail" around. The only thing I would add to the weapons themselves are things like crit ranges(18,19,20), base damage types, and weapon range (5foot, 10 foot, etc). Limiting these abilities to, again lets say proficiency bonus times per day actually make them relatively balanced (not spammable), and requires a bit more tactical thinking while also allowing you to add MORE unique abilities to each weapon or armor to make them distinct, while at the same time keeping subclasses like Battle Master completely viable and untouched. Like you pointed out it WOULD make certain feats redundant, but I am far less concerned about that. I would rather break a feat, than a subclass. This is also how I would fix Shields, only they would add a permanent (NOT limited to Prof. times per day) new reaction ability as long as you are using one. Again, You can use your reaction to interpose your shield between yourself and the attack and reduce the damage YOU take by 1d12 + your proficiency bonus (to a minimum of 0 damage). This would be IN ADDITION to the +2 to AC. This is better than a Wizard`s Shield spell. This is because the player is giving up all the "Big Damage" abilities by not going heavy two handed weapons/Great Weapon Master/Sharpshooter etc... So Shields giving some kind of massive upgrade in survival and damage mitigation is a fair trade off.

A more useful comparison for Japanese longsword would actually be the more standard Tachi, a two-handed cavalry saber used as an ancillary weapon by the Samurai, as well as the Uchigatana, the preferred sidearm of the Edo period, also wielded in one or both hands. It's also worth remembering that the Longsword in game is technically meant to be a 1-handed Arming Sword, more-so than its two-handed namesake. The Greatsword is technically a better two-handed sword so the only real reason for a medium-sized creature to use the "Longsword" is to free up the off-hand to carry a shield. Even the ability to swing the weapon two-handed is not unusual, and there are a number of historical depictions that show Arming Swords being wielded with both hands on the handle. Semantics aside, the most defining characteristic of the various weapons that could/should be interpreted as "Longswords" is that they were largely back-up weapons or used in environments where larger, more effective weapons are unacceptable. A "Sidearm" property might make the weapon easier to draw during combat, perhaps as a reaction to an enemy entering melee range. In turn, the Longsword's reach and agility would give the weapon tremendous utility as a personal defense weapon compared to more front-heavy counterparts like Axes and Maces; this might translate as a passive buff to AC and/or the Finesse property so that it can pair with the "Defensive Duelist" feat. On the subject of "Half-sword," most of the techniques associated with it are considered improvised. They were mostly used as a way to defeat armor by converting the sword into a weapon that was better at defeating armor. Holding the sword with one hand on the blade could convert the weapon into a short Spear (javelin if spear is given the Reach property), providing a passive boost to attack roles. Striking with the Pommel could be made as Club attacks, taking advantage of other potential changes to the Light Weapon property, and turning the weapon entirely around would convert the sword into a Mace or Greatclub, either better able to stun or disorient armored opponents. Half-sword shouldn't be relegated to Longsword either; doing so with a Greatsword effectively converted into the Longsword, sacrificing reach and power for better defensive agility.

I don't care if it's not optimal, I always make Fighters who two-hand their Longsword with no shield. Because it's cool.

@D20Athletics

Ай бұрын

This is the way

Just a thought but are you ever going to offer a PDF or file with your changes to the wider world? I've been trying to homebrew MY PERSONAL perfect weapon system and love all the suggestions you provide just wondering if you'd make your own list of changes in a viewable format down the line

@altrolerpg

Ай бұрын

Once I get through all the weapons, I was thinking about doing a big "overview" of the series to establish the general roles & differences I've suggested. I'll keep that in mind to make some PDF or sharable version of the suggestions though, thank you!

Interesting ideas, if you brought back the expanded crit range, would that stack with the champion feature? Which would make the longsword crit on 18,19 and 20? I like the idea of bringing in the half swording style as well. Keep up the good work your videos are interesting!

@altrolerpg

Ай бұрын

I think my initial idea is yes, it should stack. Champion has its own problems that can't be fixed with weapon choice of course, but having these abilities stack allows for some unique builds that focus on specific combat styles (i.e. crit fishing)

My current DnD character carries a shortsword on his side and a longsword on his back. The shortsword can be fixed to his musket as a bayonet

Give Longswords the Finesse property when two-handed. That’s all I need to say.

did he forget scimitars are swords too

@altrolerpg

Ай бұрын

I did 😅I should've clarified that the longsword was the last *straight* sword to cover in D&D. Good catch!

5E is just terrible in general. I really like the weapon traits in Zweihander and other systems that add character to the weapons rather than just increasing or decreasing damage or range