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Yes, technically that means a one-handed weapon designed to be wielded by a Medium character is itself a Small object.
But that really only matters if you cast Animate Object on it or something. If you're Medium, you do the damage with it listed in the Medium column. Usually, when people talk about a weapon's size, they're really talking about what size character can wield it. A Medium Longsword is a one-handed weapon for a Medium character, because Longsword is listed as a one-handed weapon (even though the longsword itself is a Small object). Similarly, a Medium greatsword or a Medium dagger means a Medium character can comfortably wield them (as a two-handed and a light weapon respectively, because that what a greatsword and a dagger are listed as).
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8
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First, the introduction! I'm new to Pathfinder, and, to be honest, tabletop RPG games in general. Now, I've been around for a bit, even had the Basic and Expert D&D sets, way back in the day, and have AD&D books up to 3, I believe. The problem is, I never got to play. I never found anybody to play with, and when I did, it seems that they didn't know how to play. So, I've been out of luck with tabletop. I've played more than my share of computer RPGs, whether or not based on D&D rules, but still, I've always wanted to get into playing.
I recently moved, and there is a gaming society in my town. They mostly play MTG and Warhammer, but someone is going to be starting up a Pathfinder group. So, I'm here, gathering what info I can, learning what I can. I decided to create a character, just to get the feel of doing it. I've had some issues figuring some things out, but, between the core rulebook and the Hero's Handbook, I've figured most stuff out. However, I have a question about weapon size.
In the spoiler tag is the section about Weapon Size from the PRD:
** spoiler omitted **
I guess my question is, what does this mean? How do I know what the weapon size is? If I'm a medium sized race, does that mean a 1 handed weapon is small, if I'm using one?
I'm sure I'll have other questions here and there, but this one, I just can't figure it out, no matter how I think about it. Any help would be so very much appreciated!
Hey Jolar! Welcome to Pathfinder!
Like Silent Saturn says, most of the time when you see a weapon's "size" mentioned, it's referring to the size of the creature the weapon is designed to be used by.
So, for instance, if you're a Medium creature using a battleaxe, that's going to be a "Medium" battleaxe. It will deal the damage listed under the M column on the weapon chart under Equipment.
Sometimes, certain spells or effects will want to know the size of an object, like in the case of warp wood. For a weapon, you use the category of the weapon and the size of the weapon's intended wielder to determine how big of an object the weapon is.
That Medium battleaxe (i.e. battleaxe sized for a Medium creature) would thus be a Small object, and you could cast warp wood to on a number of them equal to your caster level.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8
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Ok, thanks to the both of you for that explanation. It makes a little more sense now. I am still not completely sure of it, though, so let me ask something more.
Are weapons designed with sizes? Is that part of a weapons description? I guess what I'm wondering is, if in my characters travels, he comes across a weapon as loot, that weapon may be of any size? I'm asking as the rulebook mentions something about inappropriately sized weapons, so I'm assuming that there are various different sized weapons, as there are various different sized races.
Which also makes me assume that, if my character goes into a shop to buy a weapon, it'll automatically be the right size for him.
Sorry to go on about this, but for some reason, this is the one thing that just won't get unstuck in my brain. ;)
Weapons (and armor) are indeed designed with sizes, to match the various creature sizes in the game.
Usually the weapons you find will match the size of the creature that was using them. If you slay a giant, his sword will probably be Large sized. If you dispatch a halfling, hist shortbow is most likely Small sized.
You do take penalties when attacking with weapons that aren't properly sized for you, and in some cases you won't be able to use such weapons at all (such as especially large or small weapons). That's covered in the Equipment chapter.
It's also a pretty safe bet to assume that if you go into a shop, you should be able to buy weapons properly sized for you, but there are exceptions. A village of gnomes might only have Small equipment for sale.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8
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Weapons (and armor) are indeed designed with sizes, to match the various creature sizes in the game.
Usually the weapons you find will match the size of the creature that was using them. If you slay a giant, his sword will probably be Large sized. If you dispatch a halfling, hist shortbow is most likely Small sized.
You do take penalties when attacking with weapons that aren't properly sized for you, and in some cases you won't be able to use such weapons at all (such as especially large or small weapons). That's covered in the Equipment chapter.
It's also a pretty safe bet to assume that if you go into a shop, you should be able to buy weapons properly sized for you, but there are exceptions. A village of gnomes might only have Small equipment for sale.
Great, thanks for the response! I think it's all straight in my head now. So now, onto yet other issues, I'm sure. ;)
Thanks again to both you and Silent Saturn for the help!
Hey, no problem! Enjoy your gaming!