Can elf rogues use an Elven Curved Blade?

[Paul Griffith]

So, I have a player that has made an elf rogue. She wants to use an Elven Curved Blade. But I think there is a problem.

Here is the text for an elf's weapon familiarity racial ability;
Weapon Familiarity: Elves are proficient with longbows (including composite longbows), longswords, rapiers, and shortbows (including composite shortbows), and treat any weapon with the word “elven” in its name as a martial weapon.

And here is a rogue's weapon and armor proficiency class ability;
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Rogues are proficient with all simple weapons, plus the hand crossbow, rapier, sap, short sword, and shortbow. They are proficient with light armor, but not with shields.

The problem that arises is that elves treat weapons with the word "elven" in the name as martial weapons. And unfortunately rogues are only proficient with simple weapons and a few select other weapons.

Since my player does not have the Martial Weapon Proficiency feat, would she not be able to use the Elven Curved Blade? That is how I read it, but still she is playing an elf. An elf should be able to use an Elven Curved Blade. It just makes sense to me that logical way too.

Any input on this would be appreciated. Thank you and have a great day. Happy gaming to you all as well.

[Josh-o-Lantern]

Seems pretty straight forward, no martial prof, no weapon prof. Sure he can still USE it, but at the standard penalty.

[Xethik]

I think the Swashbuckler archetype would allow the player to select Elven Curve Blade as an Elf.

Otherwise, a feat would be needed.

[JonGarrett]

She can, but at the usual penalty for not being proficient. Curve Blades are rare, even among Elves, so not everyone knows how to use them.

It's actually easier to use a Curve Blade with a Half-Elf, oddly enough, as you can swap out Adaptability for Ancestral Arms, giving them an Exotic Weapon feat.

[Paul Griffith]

Thanks everyone. I got the answers I was expecting.

[Imbicatus]

Yep. Swashbuckler archetype will allow proficiency, or you can take the combat training talent for proficiency, or you can just take Martial Weapon Proficeny: Elven Curve Blade.

[Charon's Little Helper]

They can also take Ancestral Weapon Mastery - which is better than Exotic Weapon Proficiency.

It gives both proficiency with the Elven Curved Blade and Weapon Focus with longbows (or something else - but if their melee is Curved Blade - might as well buff ranged). If they ever dip into a class with Martial Weapon Proficiency they can switch the Weapon Focus over to the Elven Curved Blade.