D&D5e Weapons, Changes & Additions
I’ve been very happy with the overall state of D&D weapons. They’re basically set into specific classes of ability and their size dictates things like reach and damage. The only weapons I find glaringly failing are the spear and quarterstaff. What follows are changes I would make and some additions (all of which I use in my home game).
Spears & Quarterstaff
Spear: For referencing, a short spear doubles as a quarterstaff for abilities, skills, and spells, it can do Bludgeoning damage when used as a quarterstaff.
Spear, Short
Melee weapon (simple, spear)
Damage: 1d6 Piercing
Properties: Thrown (range (20/60), Versatile (1d8)
Weight: 3 lbs.
Spear, Long
Melee weapon (simple, spear)
Damage: 1d8 Piercing
Properties: Two-Handed, Reach (5 ft).
Weight: 8 lbs.
Quarterstaff
Melee weapon (simple, staff)
Damage: 1d6 Bludgeoning
Properties: Versatile (1d8)
Weight: 4 lbs.
Additional Weapons
Bola
Melee weapon (Simple, net)
Damage: 1d4 bludgeoning
Weight: 3 lbs
Properties: Thrown (Range 15/30), Special: Large or smaller creature hit is restrained until freed. Take action to make DC 10 Str check to free itself. Deal 5 slashing to bola (AC10) or doing 5 fire damage also frees those restrained.
Garrote: Collar of Forever
Melee weapon (simple)
Damage: 1d6 slashing
Weight: –
Properties: Finesse, light, two-handed, special.
A thin piece of wire, rope, or other small diameter strong substance pulled against the throat. Used on one target of same size or smaller. 1d6 slashing damage and target is grappled. Until the grapple ends, the target takes 2d6 slashing at the start of each turn.
Polearms (Glaive, Halberd, Pike)
There are a large number of Polearms but all have the same basic game mechanics.
Polearms: Awl Pike, Bardiche, Bec de Corbin, Bill-Gulsarme, Fauchard, Fauchard-Fork, Glaive Guisarme, Gulsarme, Gulsarme-Voulge, Hook-Fauchard, Lucern Hammer, Military Fork, Patisan, Ranseur, Spetum, Voulge.
Damage: 1d10 Bludgeoning OR Piercing OR Slashing
Weight: Between 6 and 20 lbs depending on type, ones used for
Slashing and Bludgeoning weighing more, with Bludgeoning weapons weighing the most.
Properties: Heavy, Two-handed, Reach (5 ft)
Shield, Tower
These large shields are difficult to carry, the user moves at half speed. The shield provides three-quarters cover against attacks.
As an action, the shield can be setup to stand on its own, allowing the user to hide behind the shield for total cover.
Half cover: a +2 bonus to AC and Dexterity Saving Throws.
Three-quarters cover: a +5 bonus to AC and Dexterity Saving Throws.
Total cover: can’t be targeted directly by an Attack or a spell.
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