So while constructing a new (non-playable) race for a game I'm running I came across a predicament. Because the race is going to be a medium aquatic/amphibious humanoid that's supposed to be far more powerful than the other races I was going to give it the ability to finesse any one-handed weapon (sized correctly) while it was on land (seeing as how it can fight normally underwater) as a flavorful ability but then I realized they get the same +2 bonus to strength and dexterity so it would be very situational. Then I thought what if I just give them powerful build (like the Goliath ability in Races of Stone) and that is when I ran into this question.
Can a medium character with powerful build use weapon finesse with a medium sized one-handed weapon? They function as a medium and large creature and can use large sized weapons so could they in turn weapon finesse a medium sized longsword since they're used to lugging around a large sized longsword? I asked a friend but he said no but they could use weapon finesse on a large one-handed weapon and I don't understand this at all. You can only weapon finesse a light weapon (unless the weapon is special like a rapier or spiked chain but those aren't relevant to the question) as far as I know. So any thoughts/suggestions on this?
Can a medium character with powerful build use weapon finesse with a medium sized one-handed weapon?
Weapon finesse allows you to use a light weapon, elven curve blade, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category and use dex to hit rather than str.
Powerful build allows you to use weapons made for a creature one size larger than you are at no penalty.
Simply take a light weapon and advance it's damage die appropriately for one size increase. These are the weapons that your proposed race can use with both powerful build and finesse.
No weapon not on the finesse list can be finessed no matter what the size of the user is in relation to the weapon.
This is a literal rules as written response. A Gm can always decide otherwise if it fits their game.
Yes but with powerful build carrying a medium long sword becomes like carrying a large short sword. I suppose they're the same thing now that I've typed that out so I guess I just answered my question.
Yes but with powerful build your character is used to wielding heavier weapons. If you think about it a medium character with powerful build can wield a medium longsword like a large short sword... Wow, as I typed that out I just realized those are the same thing. So in a round about way I just answered my own question, the answer being "yes" but in a round about way of speaking.
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Yes but with powerful build your character is used to wielding heavier weapons. If you think about it a medium character with powerful build can wield a medium longsword like a large short sword... Wow, as I typed that out I just realized those are the same thing. So in a round about way I just answered my own question, the answer being "yes" but in a round about way of speaking.
The question isn't "Is this character strong enough to finesse this weapon?", but rather "Is this weapon one that can be finessed?". The character in question has nothing to do with it. (Again, unless the GM chooses to houserule otherwise.)
The question isn't "Is this character strong enough to finesse this weapon?", but rather "Is this weapon one that can be finessed?". The character in question has nothing to do with it. (Again, unless the GM chooses to houserule otherwise.)
And the answer is yes, you can finesse a medium longsword because you can wield a large short sword which in a round about way (according to the Rulebook) is a medium longsword. It works the same for a battle axe which is a hand axe. The weapons that don't have a light version are up to the DM of course but you technically should be able to if your DM thinks about it.