Oversized (5e Variant Rule)
This rule is designed with Large-sized PCs in mind. If you want a big weapon for a Medium or Small race, try Oversized Weapons Have Rarity (5e Variant Rule).
Oversized Weapons
- Rationale
A weapon with the oversized property is an intermediate step between the weapons in the PHB and Large-sized weapons (DMG p. 278). The intent is that can be used by Large-sized player characters instead of a Large-sized weapon, so they can deal the expected extra damage without being overpowered.
- Oversized Weapons
The oversized property can be applied to the statistics of any weapon.
An oversized weapon deals one-step greater damage than its normal counterpart.
- 1 → 1d4 → 1d6 → 1d8 → 1d10 → 1d12 → 2d8
- 2d4 → 2d6 → 2d8
- Other properties
- Light. The weapon is only considered light if you are a Large creature, otherwise it is ignored.
- Finesse. The weapon is only considered finesse if you are a Large creature, otherwise it is ignored.
- Versatile. The weapon is only considered versatile if you are a Large creature, otherwise it is considered to be a two-handed weapon.
- Heavy. If you are a Medium creature, you have disadvantage on attack rolls with the weapon. If you are Small, you cannot wield the weapon at all.
- Thrown. You can only throw the weapon if you are Large.
- Two-handed. Add the heavy property if it did not already have it.
- Weight and Cost
Quadruple the weight and cost of the weapon, and of any ammunition it uses.
- Oversized unarmed strike?
Yes, works as above; a Large creature deals 1d4 bludgeoning damage with an unarmed strike.
- Other sized PCs
Some homebrew feats and class features may allow a PC to wield an oversized weapon as if they were one size category larger. As an errata for these feats and features, the following is in effect:
- These effects do not have compounding effects unless otherwise stated.
- For medium-sized creatures, this effect applies to weapons only; it does not increase the damage of their unarmed strikes unless otherwise stated.
- For small-sized creatures, they may not wield oversized weapons as if they were large, but may wield any weapon as if they were medium sized. Similarly, tiny sized creatures may be treated as small. In both cases, this effect is optional, and there is no penalty for tiny sized creatures who still wish to wield an undersized weapon.
- For already large-sized creatures, this has no effect. However, with GM discretion, a "doubly-oversized" weapon variant may be created that they are allowed to wield.
- What about Large weapons?
Large weapons deal double the damage dice (e.g. a Large shortsword deals 2d6 damage). Note that this rule is buried away in the "Creating a Monster" chapter of the DMG, and not the PHB. This rule is a guide to help a DM create monsters, so the DM should not feel obligated to allow the same rule to apply to PCs. Nonetheless, a DM might allow a PC to wield a Large weapon as-is; or allow them to wield it with disadvantage on attack rolls (as though it were Heavy for them).
Examples
- Greatspear
- An oversized spear costs 2 gp and weighs 6 lb.
- When wielded by a Large creature: 1d8 piercing, thrown (20/60), versatile (1d10)
- When wielded by a Small or Medium creature: 1d8 piercing, two-handed
- Buster Sword, or Fullblade
- An oversized greatsword costs 100 gp and weighs 12 lb.
- When wielded by a Large creature: 2d8 slashing, heavy, two-handed
- When wielded by a Medium creature: 2d8 slashing, heavy, two-handed; disadvantage on attack rolls
- A small creature cannot wield this.
- Guan Do
- An oversized glaive costs 40 gp and weighs 12 lb.
- When wielded by a Large creature: 1d12 slashing, heavy, reach, two-handed
- When wielded by a Medium Creature: 1d12 slashing, heavy, reach, two-handed; disadvantage on attack rolls
- A small creature cannot wield this.
- Mini Ballista
- An oversized heavy crossbow costs 100 gp and weighs 36 lb.
- When wielded by a Large creature: 1d12 piercing, ammunition (range 100/400), heavy, loading, two-handed
- When wielded by a Medium creature: 1d12 piercing, ammunition (range 100/400), heavy, loading, two-handed; disadvantage on attack rolls
- A small creature cannot wield this.
- Nodachi, or Ōdachi
- An oversized katana costs 40 gp and weighs 6 lb.
- When wielded by a Large creature: 1d10 slashing, versatile (1d12); finesse while wielded in one hand
- When wielded by a Small or Medium creature: 1d10 slashing, two-handed
- Oversized Dagger
- An oversized dagger costs 4 gp and weighs 2 lb.
- When wielded by a Large creature: 1d6 piercing, finesse, light, thrown (range 20/60)
- When wielded by a Small or Medium creature: 1d6 piercing
- Oversized Longbow
- An oversized longbow costs 100 gp and weighs 4 lb.
- When wielded by a Large creature: 1d10 piercing, ammunition (range 150/600), heavy, two-handed
- When wielded by a Medium creature: 1d10 piercing, ammunition (range 150/600), heavy, two-handed; disadvantage on attack rolls
- A small creature cannot wield this.
Other Examples
Examples of such weapons include:
- Guan Yu's guan dao[1]
- Pier Gerlofs Donia's two-handed sword[2]
- Dragonslayer[3] from the anime/manga Berserk
- Final Fantasy's Buster Sword [4]
- Monster Hunter's greatswords [5]
Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Rules