I may be one of the few people thinking about this, and I may be over thinking it.. but what are the classifications of a light weapon? Is it the weight, the bulk, or is it simply a bad terminology for a "Weapon of this type that can be used with Weapon Finesse.".. At the same time, does a weapon that normally doesn't qualify as a light weapon gain light weapon properties if it can be used with Weapon Finesse?
I for one have always thought that the Shortsword is the largest "Light" weapon there is. And have used the Weight of that to signify "Light" weapons. If a Longsword made out of Mithral weighed lighter then a Shortsword would it become a light weapon? If no, why not?
What about Ironwood? That material is crazy light. If you can make a weapon weigh less then a Short Sword, does it still not qualify as a light weapon?
Please, discuss. I'd like to know people's opinions on this and what anyone else does if houserules exist.
I for one houserule that any weapon with a weight of 2 or less, barring weapons of unusual size/bulk (and GM veto power) qualify as Light Weapons.. and can be used as offhand weapons without a penalty just like light weapons. These weapons can also be used with Weapon Finesse.
I've never thought about this before. Interesting topic. I look forward to seeing how it works out. I'd say there are a number of factors that culminate to figuring out what a light weapon is. Consider that a shortsword can't beneficially be wielded with two hands. The hilt is too short. I'd maybe consider that to be a qualifier: Does it have the option to be wielded with two hands to a benefit? I'm not sure what else to consider.
I've considered stuff like that in the past as well Magnu, but I've also played many blacksmiths as well. Thankfully my DM encourages creativity and I've come up with some very interesting custom weapons.
We've also houseruled several other things..
1) Any improperly sized weapon can be used normally (within GM allowance) after the hilt has been modified to a properly sized hilt. (I as a GM and my normal GM are not afraid to look at someone and call them stupid when they want to attach a column to a hilt and call it a club.. well, unless they're a huge race anyway.. :D hehe)
2) Modified Hilts for one handed weapons can effectively make them hand and a half weapons, however an exotic weapon proficiency is required in order to use them as hand and a half weapons without a -4 penalty.
One of my favorite weapons has been a Mithral Katana made with a slightly elongated hilt. It can be wielded as a Finesse/Light weapon and can be used hand and a half for the extra damage. Our DM also uses an "Improved Weapon Finesse" feat that lets you use your Dex modifier for damage for finessable weapons if it's higher. In this manner, the Dex/Wisdom based Samurai in our group was extremely happy to not have to seriously pump strength.
Those sound like some very interesting interpretations, and it sounds like you have answered your own question, to a degree. I believe there are some core rules about improperly sized weapons as well. (greatsword in a giant's hands is treated as a longsword or something to that effect)
Those sound like some very interesting interpretations, and it sounds like you have answered your own question, to a degree. I believe there are some core rules about improperly sized weapons as well. (greatsword in a giant's hands is treated as a longsword or something to that effect)
Yep, that's how it normally works however when a weapon is 1 size category different.. treating it like a different weapons also imposes a -2 to all of your attack rolls with that weapon.. at least, normally.
So yes, while it will be a Giant's Longsword, it's a Longsword at -2 attack because the handle is so thin.. etc.
Well, back in D&D 3.0, mithral (i don't know why not just saying mithril) weapons were considered one size category lower: so, a mithral (or mithril) longsword was considered a light weapon. But that was removed in D&D 3.5; maybe because it has caused some issues in game balance. After all, which fighter wouldn't be tempted to swing a mithral (or mithril) greatsword as if handling a bastard sword?
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"Light weapons" is a category that makes more sense if you've ever fought or played around with weapons like these. It has to do more with moment of inertia and rotational momentum than actual mass, but small weapons with little mass tend to be "light weapons".
A mithral longsword still swings like a steel longsword, so you can't use it in a grapple, you can't draw it while grappled, and it would be difficult to use in the off-hand.
That's why it's not a "light weapon" in spite of its light weight.
At the very least I could see it granting a lower Strength requirement on Oversized Two Weapon Fighting.. or at least some form of virtual feat for it.
Also, what is your opinion on a mithral weapon being Finesseable?
I think of light weapons more like "off hand weapons".
Can they be used in the offhand without the additional penalty? Then they're light.
No weapon finesse doesn't turn a weapon into a light weapon, otherwise sentences like this would be pointless:
"You can use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier to attack rolls with a whip sized for you, even though it isn't a light weapon."
I still think of a Longsword that weighs 2-3 lbs being "Light" and "Finessable".. I mean, it would weigh the same if not less then a short sword. The only unaccounted stat would be bulk/size of the weapon.