He everyone,
Another question.
What would you have to do to make a katana a light weapon?
So you can use it with weapon finness.
I know... but I would love to use a Katana and Wakizashi
Light and finesseable is the easiest way to differentiate the Katana from a Bastard Sword...and it works.
What are your reasons for wanting to make it a light weapon? Personally I was really surprised and disappointed when I saw it in UC without the finessable tag that exists on the Elven Curve Blade, it really should have it :(. If your reason is to offhand wield it without penalty... that's what a wakazishi is for.
Simple a Katana is a light weapon. In the Japanese world anyway and is considered a fencing weapon along with the Rapier.
So... Just consider it one in the game, as it should have been anyway. They only kept it as a heavy weapon because after all the arguments the game designers started to really get tired of the arguments and kept them as heavy weapons because they were psychologically biased- because of the arguments and not for any real game balance. When you look up what some of the fans put forth for what the Katana should be for damage, length, critical etc. they were perfectly game-balanced as a light weapon in the rapier class. Even when considered masterwork. And it is a one handed weapon that can be used two handed. Most combat forms for Katana are one handed forms. From the drawing cut onward. Only the Kendo style is two handed as a majority. There are lots of styles that use two Katana's- one in each hand. My Sensi teaches one such style.
And speaking from experience its relatively harder to learn two handed Katana style than one handed.
Also there is a two handed Katana that is more of a Bastard sword that you have to use two handed. It is a larger heavier version of the Katana.
We were having fun arguing back and forth on the katana and the administrator in charge of the Katana locked off the posts because he was tired of hearing about it. Not really fair.
I've never seen someone fence with a katana. In kendo don't they have to keep 2 hands on it?
Sounds like Shiz is just as psychologically biased as the designers he's railing against.
Can't you just use a rapier but call it a katana?
And speaking from experience its relatively harder to learn two handed Katana style than one handed.Also there is a two handed Katana that is more of a Bastard sword that you have to use two handed. It is a larger heavier version of the Katana.
Maybe its just naive American me. Isn't Kendo the most commonly taught/popular form of Eastern style swordplay.
Regardless what actual stats did you think were better? What your describing to me sounds like a renamed sawtooth saber at the moment. Or maybe a slashing rapier.
I could be mistaken, but I always thought Kendo is preserved as sort of a formal/cultural thing rather than an actual combat style. I can't say I've seen many anim,e shows with characters that mimic kendo either with the exception of one actually about a high school kendo competition
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Simple a Katana is a light weapon. In the Japanese world anyway and is considered a fencing weapon along with the Rapier.
Biggest flaw here... is that Rapier is not considered a light weapon. It's in the 'one handed melee weapons.'
So techniquely they DID put it in the same catagory as Rapiers.
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I've never seen someone fence with a katana. In kendo don't they have to keep 2 hands on it?
That's just a competition rule. There are a number of katana-focused traditional schools of combat and many of them are 2-handed focused, but not all of them.
In fact, the most famous samurai who ever lived, a bloke called Musashi, is a guy considered the foremost bladesman in Japan's history and his primary fighting style was dual-wielding a Katana and a Wakizashi in an explosive style that relied on speed and reach to best enemies. Sounds kinda like weapon finesse to me.
As a side note, there are records of a scottish armsmaster from the Blackwatch out fencing a french fencing master. The scotsman agreed to fence with the frenchman's rules and style if he was allowed to use his own blade. A two-handed claymore. Used in one hand, fencing style. He won. This isn't the norm, but it's a good example of how the fact that big swords are heavy, slow and awkward is mostly a myth.
When considering the base stats of a weapon, I'd say we shouldn't be using unique examples in history. They are, if anything, the exception that proves the rule.
Most of them can be explained as special training, which translates to class abilities or feats, etc.
The base weapon though is a two handed weapon. It was designed to get the leverage of strength from using two hands. This is something that requires at least a one-handed weapon in stats, as a light weapon does not get any benefit from holding a weapon in two hands (strength damage or power attack bonus).
The full grip on the katana, and the primary method of holding and using the weapon, pushes me towards a two handed weapon. However, since it can be used with one hand quite effectively (with some training and with specific technique), it lands squarely in the "bastard sword" medium: one-handed weapon exotic, two handed martial.
However, because of the "flowing" and quick movements of the typical styles used with it, Weapon Finesse really seems like it should be an option.
When looking at most techniques with the one-handed use of the katana, they are typically fierce stabs and chops (barring the unique styles that would indicate superior training).
For this reason I think the weapon fits best as this:
Martial Proficiency: Can use it two-handed without penalty.
Exotic Proficiency: Can use it one-handed, or with weapon finesse with two handed.
For a Musashi character, I'd probably just add a specialized feat that lets you use the Katana in TWF with weapon finesse. Seems fitting.
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When considering the base stats of a weapon, I'd say we shouldn't be using unique examples in history. They are, if anything, the exception that proves the rule.
Most of them can be explained as special training, which translates to class abilities or feats, etc.The base weapon though is a two handed weapon. It was designed to get the leverage of strength from using two hands. This is something that requires at least a one-handed weapon in stats, as a light weapon does not get any benefit from holding a weapon in two hands (strength damage or power attack bonus).
The full grip on the katana, and the primary method of holding and using the weapon, pushes me towards a two handed weapon. However, since it can be used with one hand quite effectively (with some training and with specific technique), it lands squarely in the "bastard sword" medium: one-handed weapon exotic, two handed martial.
However, because of the "flowing" and quick movements of the typical styles used with it, Weapon Finesse really seems like it should be an option.
When looking at most techniques with the one-handed use of the katana, they are typically fierce stabs and chops (barring the unique styles that would indicate superior training).For this reason I think the weapon fits best as this:
Martial Proficiency: Can use it two-handed without penalty.
Exotic Proficiency: Can use it one-handed, or with weapon finesse with two handed.For a Musashi character, I'd probably just add a specialized feat that lets you use the Katana in TWF with weapon finesse. Seems fitting.
lol... You just described what would quite possibly be the worst choice ever requiring an unheard of five feats (ewp,finesse, twf, twf katana+other) just to finesse twf with the weapon and don't even appear to realize it
Use a wakizashi?
This.
Katanas are not light weapons. I promise you.
And Kendo is not the same as western fencing. And most rapiers are somewhat heavy, too. Foils are light.
There have been people who mastered two-weapon styles with katana and wakizashi. But if you were to translate them into game terminology, it probably wouldn't be anything unusual feat-wise, for a two-weapon build. Certainly nothing would change the weight of the katana.
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Foils are light, but they are practice weapons, not really weapons. Katanas are not Rapiers, nor are they fencing weapons, they are however in the fencing category for light weapons. Rapiers and Katanas are fairly heavy, but compared to say a Viking sword, or an English sword it is quite light. Kendo is not the same as western fencing, not by a long shot. No. It is a two handed style using a wooden weapon. Using the Katana you usually use one handed and it is much heavier, and you usually use the Boken, the practice wooden weapon for that before you use the steel variety.
Katana is a slicing weapon, not a chopping weapon. You do a bit of a chop to connect, then you pull along to slice through. A good example is the old Highlander TV show. I am not using this as a basis for my knowledge but a place for people to use as a visual. Adrian Paul (Duncan McLeod The Highlander) would use the Katana to swing at the mans head, it would connect with the neck, and then he would slide the blade back towards him, cutting through the neck, taking the head off. The blade would not go through the neck on first swing, but on the subsequent slice. The Scimitar is more of a Chopper/Slicer- the wide bladed Tulwar is a Chopper... Hassan Chop! - Bugs Bunny ;)
I have been fencing for 21 years with rapier, and 12 years Kendo and Iaido, as well as with various Katana fighting styles. Also medieval swords, axes, and even scimitars etc. They (Katanas) are from experience much lighter one handed than medieval western swords and are also much easier wielded one handed than 2 handed. They also by the way can be used in place of a Rapier for Rapier style fencing quite easily I find. And yes the Scimitar is also a fencing weapon; and also faster than the Rapier or Katana. Fencing is all about the cut, thrust, the speed, lightness, thickness, weight etc, and about the lightness of the blade as compared to other blades. It is a category. Scimitars are also quite easy to use one in each hand comparability just as a side note.
Sure a foil is light and is a fencing weapon. It is not the same as a Scimitar. E.G. a Scimitar would be a heavy fencing weapon verses a foil as a light fencing weapon, all in the lighter sword category.
Like a Longsword vs a Bastard Sword. Both are heavy weapons. But a Bastard Sword can be considered a two handed heavy weapon category sword. Or a one-hander depending on its use.
A claymour is considered a two handed heavy weapon category sword.
An English longsword is in the light category of heavy weapons. A one-hander.
When you get used to the weight and the swing in practice and your arm gets strong with use all of a sudden you realize what becomes a fencer by shape, weight, and thickness, and what is a heavy weapon.
Chinese Broadswords are Fencers. They are called broadswords because of the fact they are broad in width, but they are very thin and flexible, light and fast.
Don't confuse fencing with French fencing. Fencing is now a blanket term for a category of weapons. Chinese broadswords, Katanas, Rapiers, Knife Main-Gauche, Epee, Foil, Scimitar, Sabre, Tulwar, Falchion, and yes the beloved Wakazashi - and I am sure others.
And a Foil is about as much a weapon as a Shinai. Sure it can kill, but who would go adventuring with a bamboo practice sword or a Foil? Really? A foil has a knob on the end so you don't stab anybody. You can kill with a roll of toilet paper or a plastic fork...
So I could go on boring you to death with explanations. Like you care anyway. But the fact is, (and I know this is a game and not real life) in our world Katanas are fencers. Sure in the game they are not.
So. You can use a feat like the one used for scimitars to make them Dervish fencers for Sarenrae or you can consider them light already. Crit 18, 19, 20. X2, D8 damage. D10 2 handed. 3 1/ ft long.
4 1/2 for the Bastard Sword version that is a heavy non fencing weapon. D10 damage.
These are just my opinions, but they are based on years of experience playing, researching and living in the world of swords and other hand held weapons. I started Dungeons and Dragons in the 70's, when I was 12, DMing when I was 14, Fencing with Rapier when I was 8, and only used a Foil a few times, though I have been around them allot. I have axes, Katanas (Real ones), Viking Swords, Fighting Canes, Staffs, Chinese Broadswords etc. And while I know many SCA people, I do Viking Re Enactment. I also Study Kung Fu 2 Styles, 1 style of Karate, 3 styles of Tai Chi, and have studied Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido, Brazilian Jujitsu, and various other styles of combat. Including I and 2 handed Katana, and using 2 Katanas for fighting and also Kendo :)
In the book of Five Rings, by a man who's already been mentioned here, he talks about different types of Katana. So I would say if you want your D10 two-hander go for it. It's a bastard sword in game terms. If you want a one handed sword that has 18-20 then go for that too. Why not have different stats and call it the same thing?
As for weapon Finesse, its never come up at my table. My munchkins shun TWF. But if it did, I wouldn't think to question the halfling samurai with weapon finesse. It just makes a good character and a solid fantasy premise. No reason to stop that, its CERTAINLY not OP.
If this was PFS, however, I wouldn't let it fly. Just for sake of continuity and sticking to what rules we have set in books.
I would love to see it changed though. The Katana as stated in the books should be weapon finessable, imho.
Heavy Weapons: Two Handed Weapons, Great Swords, Great Axes, Great Hammers, Double Weapons, etc. 5-6 lbs (6-10lbs for Swiss Greatsword.) The Big weapons are a rarity.
Medium Weapons: Swords, Battle Axes, Etc, 3-4 lbs, Bastard Swords usually 4.5 lbs, it is difficult to find any weighing in excess of 4 pounds.
Indeed, the majority of specimens, from arming swords to two-handers to rapiers, weigh much less than three pounds.
Light Weapons: Short Swords, Knives, Daggers, Wakazashi 1.lb 10oz,
Fencing Weapons: Katanas 2.5 lbs, Rapiers 2-3 lbs, Scimitars 2.8 lb, etc.
If anything it (the Katana) would be a light one handed (medium two handed martial) weapon.
In fact, the most famous samurai who ever lived, a bloke called Musashi, is a guy considered the foremost bladesman in Japan's history and his primary fighting style was dual-wielding a Katana and a Wakizashi in an explosive style that relied on speed and reach to best enemies. Sounds kinda like weapon finesse to me.
-That's not at all what weapon finesse is. That sounds like reactionary and improved initiative. weapon finesse is about how the weapon us used, whether you're muscling through the attacks or aiming at the soft spots in your opponents defenses.
As a side note, there are records of a scottish armsmaster from the Blackwatch out fencing a french fencing master. The scotsman agreed to fence with the frenchman's rules and style if he was allowed to use his own blade. A two-handed claymore. Used in one hand, fencing style. He won. This isn't the norm, but it's a good example of how the fact that big swords are heavy, slow and awkward is mostly a myth.
-I'm not saying they're big slow and awkward. I own a claymore, can swing it around one handed, and its much more balanced in 2 thatn people realize, but there is a case for strength being the right stat to use because you do not fence in combat. TOUCHING an opponent with your blade does no good, you need to HIT them. This is especially true of people in armor and armor bearing critters.
Also there is a two handed Katana that is more of a Bastard sword that you have to use two handed. It is a larger heavier version of the Katana.
Only you can use a bastard sword one-handed, you know. A two-handed sword similar to the katana is already present in the UC - the nodachi, aka "falchion++" (higher damage, martial weapon, can do S or P damage, bracing... did I forget something)?
Frankly, I wouldn't make the katana finesseable - then you can make arguments for the same applying for the longsword, scimitar (without an additional feat) and basically any other long bladed weapon under 2 KG in weight. You think UC didn't do the oriental weapons justice, I think it gave them way too much "flash" - the "bastard sword" analogue already worked fairly well if "eastern" classes got the proficiency. If you are proficient from the start, it's already about as good a one-hander as you can get, sheesh.
Want to know a weapon which should be finessable, btw? The quarterstaff. It weighs the same as the light mace (which is finessable) and is way better balanced.
Oh, and as for the katana, a typical long blade, becoming a "light" weapon? No.
A Quarterstaff Finesable, Yes Please :)
A Katana Weighs 2 lbs 8oz, a Rapier weighs in at 2 lbs 11 oz, and a Longsword is 3-4lbs so yeah, the Katana is Finesable. It is also curved for speed as well as strength. Mostly speed as in the Scimitar. That is what the curve was for- speed, maneuverability.
Yes we know the 3.5 lb Bastard Sword is one or two handed.
Sure you can fence with anything, even a broom handle, and a good made sword is surprisingly light and well balanced. However, the Katana is a light weapon made for fast maneuverability in the same way Rapiers and Scimitars were. They are a modernization in swordmaking and styles of fighting from the old longsword style of fighting.
Katanas are an elegant weapon of agility as apposed to a more bashing weapon like a longsword anyway.
A Quarterstaff Finesable, Yes Please :)
A Katana Weighs 2 lbs 8oz, a Rapier weighs in at 2 lbs 11 oz, and a Longsword is 3-4lbs so yeah, the Katana is Finesable.
Hmm, I'd say those numbers are relative. Back in the day, there wasn't really all that much standartization. My point was that there were actually plenty of long bladed weapons around, which D&D seems to qualify as longswords, that would weigh as much*. For one-handed swords, weight between 2 lbs 6 and 3 lbs was the norm, although it obviously depended on the maker and the user's preferences. So if the katana can be considered "particularly" finessable, so can most one-handed swords - messers, broadswords, falchions, basically everything the D&D handbook lists at 5 pounds or less**. I'd prefer if we kept finesse for the smaller and less damaging weapons, and allow it via special feats (as we do for the scimitar and aldori dueling sword) for a few others. Actually, the ADS stats are probably the closest I'd use for the katana: it's finessable with a feat (EWP), slashing, fairly light, and has support in terms of feats and even a duelist-like fighter archetype. Oh, and it doesn't weigh 6 pounds (due to being a pseudo-bastard sword, no doubt).
*: Technically speaking, the terms "long sword" and "bastard sword" are practically synonymous; in both cases we have a longer blade than most one-handed swords have and a long handle suitable for one or two hands - preferably two.
**: yes, roleplaying games occasionally take "liberties" with weapon weights. Then again, in D&D a fairly well-trained person could do acrobatics with 20 pounds of armor, 10 pounds of weapon and 20 pounds of gear, so I'd like to think it all evens out.
A Quarterstaff Finesable, Yes Please :)
A Katana Weighs 2 lbs 8oz, a Rapier weighs in at 2 lbs 11 oz, and a Longsword is 3-4lbs so yeah, the Katana is Finesable. It is also curved for speed as well as strength. Mostly speed as in the Scimitar. That is what the curve was for- speed, maneuverability.
Yes we know the 3.5 lb Bastard Sword is one or two handed.
Sure you can fence with anything, even a broom handle, and a good made sword is surprisingly light and well balanced. However, the Katana is a light weapon made for fast maneuverability in the same way Rapiers and Scimitars were. They are a modernization in swordmaking and styles of fighting from the old longsword style of fighting.
Your bringing too much 'real world' knowledge into RPG games. Stop it. Your not SUPPOSED to DOOOOO that!!
FIRST of all... Katana's and Rapiers are BOTH one-handed melee weapons. NEITHER of them are listed as 'light.' So if you only want the Katana in the same catagory as Rapier... Success!!
YOU WIN!!! :)
Rapier does not got Finesse because it is light. It gets it... because they chose to add it on. Sooo the very basis for this thread is flawed.
Secondly. In REALITY the swords may have weighed 3 pounds... but in PATHFINDER (and as far back as 2E) Katanas are listed as SIX pounds.
PERSONALLY I prefered the 2E version that was 1d10 damage one handed... or 2d6 if used 2 handed... but I suppose pathfinder has it's own built in 'extra damage for 2 hands' mechanic...
Lastly, I KIND of agree that is probably SHOULD be finessable, going strictly off Highlander. Which YES is not overly realistic... it's fantasy. However,so is THIS game. and if you can find awesome things to do in MEDIA, then you should be able to do that in a Fanatsy game.
REALISTICALLY I would say no finesse for slashing weapons. Your not aiming specific points and weak spots on armor like you are with daggers and rapiers. Blunt and slashing shouldn't bonus from having a high Dex. ESPECIALLY Blunt.... that's all Force Trauma your trying there...
If I were to rewrite the rules... I would completely cut out the 'one-handed melee' catagory. And combine with the one handed light. Making any one-handed weapon finessable that was piercing.
ACTUALLY, I always say Fun > Reality, so if your willing to burn a feat on it, I'd give any one handed weapon the ability to finessable.
lol... You just described what would quite possibly be the worst choice ever requiring an unheard of five feats (ewp,finesse, twf, twf katana+other) just to finesse twf with the weapon and don't even appear to realize it
You might want to try counting that again.
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (if you aren't something like a Samurai who gets proficiency already). This is the same if you wanted to do the same thing with the bastard sword.
Weapon Finesse
Two Weapon Fighting
Musashi Feat
That's four feats, three if you get proficiency from your class.
Not sure what you meant by "twf katana+other".
Musashi used two katanas. That's TWF with two 1d10 weapons, instead of the typical 1d6 shortswords, etc. That should cost something.
If you prefer, I can show you what I proposed side-by-side with the current rules:
Current Rule
Martial: two handed weapon
Exotic: one handed weapon
No finesse
Proposed Rule
Martial: two handed weapon
Exotic: one-handed weapon, or weapon finesse with two handed weapon
Feat: weapon finesse katana during twf
I was adding free finesse with exotic weapon proficiency when wielded in two hands, and finesse in one hand when twf at the cost of one feat.
Personally, I'd probably add "dex to damage" on that feat as well (considering the precedent of the scimitar feat) but this was a discussion on finesse, so I didn't want to derail.
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Musashi used two katanas.
To my knowledge, this is incorrect.
Before Musash Samurai carried the long blade for battle and the short blade as a status symbol (it was also used to commit suicide, and to fight in close quarters, and a few other things, but it wasn't generally used on a battlefield)
Musash was the one who first made effective the use of both blades at once in battle.
I don't doubt that he *could* use two katanas at once, but it was not the style he was known for.
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (if you aren't something like a Samurai who gets proficiency already). This is the same if you wanted to do the same thing with the bastard sword.
Weapon Finesse
Two Weapon Fighting
Musashi Feat
If you can import the oversized TWF from 3.5, you could dual-wield katanas... although in the case of Musashi, I was under the impression that one of his blades was shorter. Anyway, at present, from a purely balance perspective, the katana is loosely similar to a bastard sword - exotic WP, 1 step lower HD, better critical threat rate and the deadly special ability. It is actually pretty equivalent to the great scimitar from the 3.5 supplement Sandstorm. Overall, the better critical threat rate would make it a bit better than the bastard sword due to the fact criticals are better in pathfinder (as in, valid against more enemies and with feat support). Bastard swords are not finessable, so from a balance perspective there should be no reason katanas to be.
By the way, I say it again - if you want a finessable slashing long blade, there's already the aldori sword. You can use it as a longsword with martial proficiency, but for an expert (as in, someone who pays the EWP feat) it is a finessable weapon. It's actually described as fairly similar - long, curved blade with a single edge.
Lol, yup, to much real world ;)
They have a Katana that can be used with Finesse its called an Aldori Dueling Sword. Quite frankly it fits the description of what a Katana actually is better than their description of a Katana.
As others have mentioned, making the katana a light weapon would
irrevocably kill the wakizashi as a secondary weapon.
I know Leonardo is cool, but I wouldn't want him to become the standard.
'findel
There's also no reason you CAN"T dual wield katanas and just take the penalty to attack.
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I know Leonardo is cool, but I wouldn't want him to become the standard.
'findel
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
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Heroes in a half-shell
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They're heroes in a half-shell and they're green (Hey - get a grip!)
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These Turtle boys don't cut him no slack!Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
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There's also no reason you CAN"T dual wield katanas and just take the penalty to attack.
You *can* wield two katanas (Leonardo can rest assured!), but if the katana was a light weapon, there would be no reasons *not* to use a second katana instead of a wakizashi as a secondary weapon (as far as two-weapon-fighting is concerned).
Actually :) Wielding 2 Katanas is quite easy. At 2.5 lbs and just over 3 feet they are not that hard to use one in each hand. There are whole styles built on such. I know, my Sensei teaches one ;) But I digress...
So the Katana comes across like the Bastard Sword because it can be one handed or two handed. And it is either D8 one handed or D10 for two if you are using brute force. From the last time I checked which was admittedly in the playtest. Add finesse and a masterwork +1 and you have quite a weapon. Especially at first level. But, mind you, you don’t get trained in finesse right away by someone who knows it. And you don’t get trained in one handed or two handed right away, its either or. And using two hands for a heavy swing is not what the two hands were fore. Using two hands were for finessing the weapon, making fast in and out moves, and for quick blocks, ripostes, etc.
Using a Katana for the two hand D10 you wouldn’t be able to use the Finesse feat. You would be heavy hitting, using your strength. Using it two handed with Finesse feat you would be doing D8 and doing fancy moves using your dexterity. So you would have to take a move action or standard action or whatever to switch styles of fighting back and forth. This is the same as switching Fighting Styles ie going from Tiger to Dragon. This is like The higher damage is also due to the amazingly sharp edge.
Most Samurai soldiers wouldn’t get to learn finesse anyway. Sure they were super dedicated etc., but they were soldiers. They were busy Standing at attention or marching somewhere. Or reacquiring their armour. These guys didn’t get the masterwork blades either.
So her is my version of what to do with this monster ;) Take it or leave it J Have fun!
-Feat: Martial Weapon Proficiency Katana One Handed OR
-Feat: Martial Weapon Proficiency Katana Two Handed
-Katana Two Handed (Non Finesse): D10, add Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, etc. But not Improved Sunder or Greater Sunder,
-Katana One or Two Handed (Finesseable): D8, Add Finesse at 3rd level or higher, Feint, Improved Disarm, Greater Disarm, Greater Feint,
-Katana can be used one in each hand with the Two Weapon Fighting Feat, and the character then gains access to the Two Weapon Defence and Two Weapon Feint and Two Weapon Rend Feats, etc. They also can be used with the Wakizashi in this way.
Samurai start play learning the Martial Weapon Proficiency Katana Two Handed Feat, if Katana is the Weapon of Choice for free, if they so choose. Ronin can start play with the One Handed Katana Martial Weapon Proficiency.
Ninja that choose the Katana get the Martial Weapon Proficiency Feat Katana One Handed for free. Otherwise they have to take the Martial Weapon Feat Katana Two Handed to learn to use it as a two handed weapon. And they have to take the Finesse feat to use it as a finesse weapon. Using it as a finesse weapon negates the D10 damage and makes it a D8 weapon based on strength.
Great Sword 6-10 lbs ------------------
---------------
Bastard Sword 3.5 lbs --------------
Longsword 3 lbs -----------
Scimitar 2.8 lbs --------
Rapier 2-3 lbs -----------
Katana 2.5 lbs ---------
Average Longsword 3.3 lbs, length 45 inches with a 36 inch blade
Average Katana 2.5 lbs, length 36 in, handle 12 inch and blade 24 inches.
Actually :) Wielding 2 Katanas is quite easy. At 2.5 lbs and just over 3 feet they are not that hard to use one in each hand. There are whole styles built on such. I know, my Sensei teaches one ;) But I digress...
So the Katana comes across like the Bastard Sword because it can be one handed or two handed. And it is either D8 one handed or D10 for two if you are using brute force. From the last time I checked which was admittedly in the playtest.
Wielding two long blades is feasible, but not exactly easy - wielding a long and short one is easier as the blades don't clash quite as much. Sure, it's doable with practice - hence the -4 TWF penalty. The katana comes across like a bastard sword because it's a common profile variation - 1 step lower damage dice for better criticals. It's how the scimitar relates to the longsword, or the kukri to the short sword.
Statwise, the katana as per the UC is 1d8, crit threat 18-20, extra DC on a coup de grace. Different base damage depending on handedness: no, and I can't stress that enough. No other weapon gets it. You already get the extra damage when using a two-handed grip via the more favorable strength-damage ration and power attack conversion. The base profile is already very good even without finesse - if the crit rate was 19-20, it would be fine and be practically an Aldori Sword clone (not bad imo). With crit threat rate of 18-20, however, the Katana is possibly the best exotic one-hander damage-wise, bar none. So yeah, I'm not really seeing a need to use those stats for something that is finessable as well.
For the record, I don't have an issue with the Katana being finessable.
I only think that making it 'light' would invalidate the iconic sister blade of the katana, the wakizashi, which would be a bit sad IMO.
'findel