Rare Weapon (5e Variant Rule)
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Rare Weapon
Rarity. This weapon has a rarity, like a magic item. The type of rarity is shown after the weapon's cost. At the DMs discretion, it may not be available as starting equipment. Acquiring or crafting the item may require a special task or trade in something other than coin.
Oversized Weapons Have Rarity[edit]
This is a companion piece to the Oversized variant rule.
We frequently see homebrew weapons that are simple larger versions of the weapons in the Player's Handbook. Massive greatswords, giant axes, and so on. All manner of "balancing" properties have been proposed, for example, making the weapon unwieldy or expensive.
The Oversized Weapons rule was an attempt to allow Large-sized PC races to have bigger weapons in a balanced way. But what about Medium PCs? This variant simply uses a mechanic that has been present in the Dungeon Master's Guide all along: rarity (DMG p. 135).
Rarity is used indicate when a PC might find a magic item, and gives an approximate gold piece cost. With this variant rule, we simply apply this to mundane weapons, using the magic weapon damage as a guide.
- Damage
The average damage of the oversized weapon is compared to a magic weapon of the same type. For example, an oversized greatsword might deal 2d8 damage (instead of 2d6). This an extra 2 damage, like a +2 magic weapon.
- Rarity
An oversized weapon is not magic, and does not provide a bonus to attack rolls, so the rarity one step more common than the equivalent magic weapon: Common (+1 damage), uncommon (+2 damage), rare (+3 damage). This might be extended to: very rare (+4 damage), legendary (+5 damage).
Our example oversized greatsword has uncommon rarity.
- Cost
The Magic Item Rarity table (DMG p. 135) shows the value range for each rarity. The Magic Item Price (XGtE p. 126) gives a randomized value.
I recommend a minimum value of twice the cost of the base weapon.
- Weight
I suggest that weight be:
- 50% greater if average damage is 1 greater.
- Twice the weight if average damage is 2 greater.
- Three times if average damage is 3 greater.
- Etc.
Bear in mind that a Large-sized equivalent has 8 times the weight.
- Properties
All properties remain the same as the base weapon.
- Magic Oversized Weapons
If an oversized weapon with a rarity is also a magic weapon with a rarity, the rarities "stack". If our example oversized greatsword is also a +2 magic weapon, it is a very rare item.
If this takes the item beyond legendary rarity, the DM can choose to cap this at legendary (perhaps increasing the value further), or consider converting the item into an artefact.
- Acquiring an Oversized Weapon
Like a magic item, buying an oversized weapon might not be as simple as purchasing one at a town's weaponsmith. A buyer may need to prove their worth or trade in something other than coin. Similarly, crafting an oversized weapon may require particular tools or a metallurgical "recipe".
Example Oversized Weapons[edit]
Fullblade[edit]
- Cost: 200 gp
- Weight: 12 lb
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Damage: 2d8 slashing
- Properties: Heavy, two-handed (martial melee)
Hand-And-a-Half Blade[edit]
- Cost: 25 gp
- Weight: 5 lb
- Rarity: Common
- Damage: 1d10 slashing
- Properties: Versatile (1d12) (martial melee)
Greatspear[edit]
- Cost: 50 gp
- Rarity: Common
- Damage: 1d8 piercing
- Properties: Thrown (range 20/60), versatile (1d10) (simple melee)
Savage Greatclub[edit]
- Cost: 100 gp
- Weight: 20 lb
- Damage: 1d12 bludgeoning
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Properties: Two-handed (simple melee)
Rhenium Halberd[edit]
- Cost: 175,000 gp
- Weight: 30 lb
- Damage: 2d10 slashing
- Rarity: Legendary
- Properties: Heavy, reach, two-handed (martial melee)
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