Easy_Lee
2017-08-17, 09:14 AM
This post is about two common problems some people have with D&D 5e, and a possible method to resolve both at once. I expect to catch a lot of crap for this, but I'm prepared for that.
Versatile Weapons
Some classes have use of the versatile property of weapons in certain cases. A Hexblade Warlock or Monk might use the versatile property of a longsword or quarterstaff. But a fighter almost never would. In spite of longsword, spears, battleaxes, and warhammers being some of the most iconic weapons, a fighter has little reason to put two hands on any of them. There is no fighting style for this.
Strength and Dexterity
With strength representing brawn and dexterity coordination, one would expect a fighter to have decent scores in both. That seldom happens. A fighter who focuses strength has little reason to raise dexterity. A fighter who focuses dexterity has even less reason to raise strength.
But if it's uncommon to see a fighter with good scores in both, it's almost unheard of in rangers and paladins. This is particularly strange for rangers given that strength and dexterity are their proficient saving throws.
From a realism standpoint, this is peculiar. Ought a fighter not benefit from both power and coordination?
Past Recommendations
Some tables allow Dueling to apply to versatile weapons when used in two hands. The trouble here is that longswords will then do more average damage than greatswords, unless the greatsword crits or the player is using GWM. And this doesn't fix the strength and dexterity issue.
Proposed Solution
Fighting Style: Versatile - when wielding a versatile weapon in two hands, you may use STR + DEX - 1 (maximum 5) for attack and damage rolls instead of the attribute you would normally use.
Result
This fighting style is strictly inferior for damage when compared to the other styles. However, a user can hit their maximum modifier with a combined strength and dexterity mod of +6. 16/16, 18/14, or 12/20 would all work. This would enable the character to choose a wider variety of potential builds.
Bow + Longsword becomes possible without sacrificing effectiveness with one or the other.
Users can raise additional attributes sooner and take additional feats without losing progression.
Versatile weapons become a compelling option for Gish characters and anyone proficient with medium but not heavy armor, so long as they can gain access to this style.
Longsword becomes a very good option for a fighter who doesn't have maximum stats yet.
Versatile Weapons
Some classes have use of the versatile property of weapons in certain cases. A Hexblade Warlock or Monk might use the versatile property of a longsword or quarterstaff. But a fighter almost never would. In spite of longsword, spears, battleaxes, and warhammers being some of the most iconic weapons, a fighter has little reason to put two hands on any of them. There is no fighting style for this.
Strength and Dexterity
With strength representing brawn and dexterity coordination, one would expect a fighter to have decent scores in both. That seldom happens. A fighter who focuses strength has little reason to raise dexterity. A fighter who focuses dexterity has even less reason to raise strength.
But if it's uncommon to see a fighter with good scores in both, it's almost unheard of in rangers and paladins. This is particularly strange for rangers given that strength and dexterity are their proficient saving throws.
From a realism standpoint, this is peculiar. Ought a fighter not benefit from both power and coordination?
Past Recommendations
Some tables allow Dueling to apply to versatile weapons when used in two hands. The trouble here is that longswords will then do more average damage than greatswords, unless the greatsword crits or the player is using GWM. And this doesn't fix the strength and dexterity issue.
Proposed Solution
Fighting Style: Versatile - when wielding a versatile weapon in two hands, you may use STR + DEX - 1 (maximum 5) for attack and damage rolls instead of the attribute you would normally use.
Result
This fighting style is strictly inferior for damage when compared to the other styles. However, a user can hit their maximum modifier with a combined strength and dexterity mod of +6. 16/16, 18/14, or 12/20 would all work. This would enable the character to choose a wider variety of potential builds.
Bow + Longsword becomes possible without sacrificing effectiveness with one or the other.
Users can raise additional attributes sooner and take additional feats without losing progression.
Versatile weapons become a compelling option for Gish characters and anyone proficient with medium but not heavy armor, so long as they can gain access to this style.
Longsword becomes a very good option for a fighter who doesn't have maximum stats yet.