Is it a shortsword, or a dwarven longsword?

[TheElf]

In D&D3 a shortsword can be considered as a longsword for a dwarf, but is it working that way? No it isn't, since these weapons are different. Just see the handle: a small sized creature has smaller hands, so the handle should be thinner for him, if he wants to grab it. A shortsword designed for a large crature has a real thick handle, and a small sized creature cannot use that sword, not even as a greatsword. This is the most visible point, but we would be able to speak about various other factors as well, and get to the same point. The compatibility betwen a large sized shortsword and a small sized greatsword isn't working. It can be good as an abstraction, but it isn't working in reality, so DMs and players should distiguish betwen these weapons.

Giving comatibility has a huge drawback: It increases the chance to find some useable magical weapon, so makes good magical weapons a bit more common. Up to the point, where they lose their value, and become common equipment, and one has to release more and more powerful equipment. Armor universal for all sizes have a similar effect on the gameplay. We seen it in 3E, and wizards seen the same effect, so they changed it, but yet, people are saying, it is bad, since they used to have that many magical gear. I think, wizards was right with this change. But yet, we haven't spoke about one issue: Balancing various characters with this update is quite easy.

Monte Cook asked in his review, if the way to determine size of a magic weapon is random: No, it isn't completly random, it depends on the size of the owner, or in other cases, in the size of its ex owners. If there was a dwarven stronghold in the hills before the dragon arrived, and the party kills the dragon, they will have more dwarf sized items, and less less medium or large items. This way, the DM can control, who gets what items, and how much chance they have for finding something for them.

Finding mentors, mundane equipment, etc., also gets harder with this change, which is good. It is also a factor one can use to balance his campaign. And there are other uses for this change as well, the abstraction in the 3E wasn't working, and provided missleading results, and now they changed it back. So this change is realy good, and helpfull, no mater what munckins say, when they miss findig that many magic weapons in one session. Ofcourse it is a huge change, and changes the style of the gameplay. So it can change existing campaigns, which is not allways a good idea.

Even if some say, dwarves are still "M" size creatures the size change between a barbarian and a dwarf is still significant, so what was a short sword designed for our barbarian is still probelmatic for a dwarf. We can say, the sizes of weapons are race (and sometimes person) specific.

[zergnase]

dwarves are medium and use medium weapons (after the rules)
so or so the dmg dice will not change the only factor is if it can be used two-handed or not and if it is pircing or slashing

historicaly there are much moren then just the weapons in the PHB (and equipment books), u can find sword like weapons in any length

Originally Posted by TheElf

Even if some say, dwarves are still "M" size creatures the size change between a barbarian and a dwarf is still significant,

there is no barbarian race

[TheElf]

This is why I said "sometimes a person"

And it applies to group of similar people as well.

And still it is hard for a dwarf to use a weapon designed for a barbarian. Same with armor.

[[-Rogy-]]

its not the qeustion of the size of the sword nor is it a question of the grip
its the diffrence in the ballence and design of the blade !

a short sword is ballanced with the waight more at the tip that is extrimly sharpend a short sword is designd for STABING.

a long sword is ballanced more close the grip (about 1/3 of the way) and is sharpend along its length some designs also have a curve to increese the effective adge of the blade and is used to SLASH.

so having diffrent szed wepon is a big problam a human short sword is unballanced for long sword fighting dworf.

[TheElf]

Yes, but as you can guess there is no giant sized katana etc. so if we build alternatives we can speak about the limits you speak about, and they are good, but many people would argue "Their balance and use is based on their size, so a dwarf would use a sword of same size in same way" And they would point out that the "what your metal can endure" questions. This is why I tried to find a different reason And here you see it But yes, balance, etc. is also different.

[[-Rogy-]]

design is actually a very big issue the fact that a javlin and a great sword are the same size dosnt make them adapteble in style of combat (i know this is a wierd example) this is why human short sword and dwarven long sword are very diffrent yes there size is the same and they are both made from metal and used in one arm but that dosnt meen you can use them the same whay for a dwarf a human sized short sword will resemble more a juvlin or a broken pole arm wepon the blade just dont have sharpening in the right place to be used.


you may alow a low that state the wepons from diffrent sizes can be changed at wepon smiths to fit different owner (just like in armors)

[TheElf]

But that isn't an automatic thing if I see it well

[nobara]

Giant Size Katan....

No-dachi ... :P

no a Giant with Craft weaponsmithing in oriental adventures....

That could work!

[TheElf]

No-dachi isn't a fully giant size katana, so no, it isn't a match and the problem is with a giant size weapons weight, etc. When you hit something with it, a realy sharp edge won't endure that too well.

[[-Rogy-]]

this is true a sharp adge wont hold this is partly why larger cretures have -1 or more to there BaB but a wepon that size will rellay on his waghit and his owner strength for the cuting in his view point the blade will be un-belivingly shrp.