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Spellcaster classes are built to provide Dungeons & Dragons players with the most options. Utility spells are made for players that come up with creative solutions to dungeon problems. Fighting classes often had these options built into their weaponry, where entire books could be devoted to the differences in speed, weight and deadliness between weapon choices. Fifth Edition streamlined the weapons selection process to make combats run faster.
There isn’t much difference between a longsword and a katana mechanically, but there is a series of keywords that offers a little extra bit of tactics to those players who don’t want to just grind out combats. Here are the basics to get you started in combat.
Finesse
The most commonly known keyword is this one. Most weapons are used with the Strength modifier for melee attacks and damage. Finesse weapons can use either the Strength or the Dexterity modifier of the attacker for this purpose. Most rogues know this rule by heart to allow for a little extra hurt to come from a Sneak Attack (since rogues prize Dexterity above all other attribute scores).
These weapons are also useful for ranged builds (since Dexterity is used for ranged attacks) and builds that have used their best scores elsewhere (because worrying about one score instead of two for melee takes a little of the pressure off).
Reach
One of the main advantages of having a bigger weapon than an opponent other than doing more damage is keeping them away to avoid counter strikes. Weapons that do this well provide reach, which allows attacks farther away than normal weapons, usually by 5 ft. This allows fighters equipped with polearms or halberds to engage an opponent without having to worry about opportunity attacks should the fighters decide to move away from their target after an attack.
Weapons with this trait should end up in the hands of characters that need mobility for healing, such as clerics and paladins or ones that have a racial bonus that stacks with reach, such as Bugbears.
Versatile
Fighters often struggle with an existential question: to shield or not to shield? A shield provides an armor class bonus, but using one shuts off the weapons that really bring the hit points down since most of them require two hands to use. This trait offers something of a compromise as versatile weapons can be used both one handed and two handed with a different damage die for each style. Fighters with versatile weapons can judge in the moment whether or not they need extra protection or if they want to hit a target harder.
New to RPGs? We got you. Catch our show, Starter Kit with Jason Charles Miller and friends. The show is full of tips for new RPG players, and is available exclusively on Alpha.
Want more RPG goodness?
- Check out these D&D options adapted from the worlds of Magic: The Gathering.
- Here are some great 2nd level spells every D&D player should consider taking.
- Here’s why we love Xanathar’s Guide to Everything.
Images Credits: Wizards of the Coast
Rob Wieland is an author, game designer and professional nerd. He’s worked on dozens of different tabletop games ranging from Star Wars and Firefly to his own creations like CAMELOT Trigger. He can be hired as a professional Dungeon Master for in-person or remote games. His Twitter is here. His meat body can be found in scenic Milwaukee, WI.
