Weapon Feats & Specialization with an Improvised Weapon?

[olePigeon]

Can you take weapon feats and take weapon specialization (and focus, improved critical, etc.) with a single improvised weapon?

For example, a Kobold fighter with a Miner's Pick. Discussion at the table was that an Improvised Weapon isn't a weapon category, or even a weapon, and therefore doesn't qualify for weapon feats.

[Darksol the Painbringer]

olePigeon wrote:

Can you take weapon feats and take weapon specialization (and focus, improved critical, etc.) with a single improvised weapon?

For example, a Kobold fighter with a Miner's Pick. Discussion at the table was that an Improvised Weapon isn't a weapon category, or even a weapon, and therefore doesn't qualify for weapon feats.

To be honest with you, if the weapons category does not list improvised weapons, the game does not consider it to be an actual weapon (and it technically isn't; that's why it's called Improvised).

You can argue that it is a weapon, and that it should still apply regardless of it being an improvised one or not. You can also argue that it isn't exactly a weapon, since it's not only not categorized as such, but also not something that is used constantly. I mean, what, do you train or are there trainers for using broken bottles on dragons? (I joke with this, but it's still a fairly valid point.)

Personally, I don't see a problem with having Weapon Specialization type feats applying to Improvised weapons, since a player is only becoming skilled with that type of weapon, and not an entire mass of weapons. However, the RAW would indicates that the Weapon Feats weren't entirely designed to apply to Improvised Weapons.

It's something that should be brought up in the Homebrew section, and it's something that should be house ruled, since it isn't explicitly stated. I would definitely talk to them about it again, and give some of the pointers that I listed.

I hope this helped! :)

[stemfish]

I have to say that it's a house rule. A few years ago as a player we ran into a tavern brawl, and without missing a beat, our raging barbarian picked up the parties gnome and used him as an improvised club. After laughing, the barb pointed out that he swung around heavier objects, and the gnome agreed that it would be hilarious. So he sat out that combat and roleplayed a club. Strangely this became a staple in the group, with the gnome willingly being held (and immobilized) and focusing on channeling.

Eventually, the Barbarian asked to take feats regarding Improvised Weapon (Gnome) and as a party we voted it in, as the only weapon he used was the Gnome.

RAW I would say no.

As a GM, I would ask to specialize it, similar to (gnome), but instead go for Improvised Weapon(glass) or (wooden beam) or (cards). This lets the player get around RAW, but at a cost that they must seek out their weapon. Ex - It may be free to get a mug from a table, but a standard or full to break a bar stool into a set of four steaks and a makeshift bludgeoning throwing star. Then the weapon is both improvised, but still standard enough for someone to train with it.