Talk:Back Sword (5e Equipment)

Actually, the heavy tag is for weapons which cannot be effectively used by small characters. That is all it does, it has nothing to do with weight or size. By dropping the damage die, the weapon suddenly makes no sense compared to other weapons on the list. And even by the end of the starter set, 20gp is nothing. Even by the game's own rules on standard earnings for practicing a profession, you'd only need to save for a month to purchase one. Historically, that's pretty cheap! Never mind that everything in the weapon list is cheap. --Kydo (talk) 10:11, 2 November 2014 (MST)

• The back sword is supposed to be cheaper to produce than the (double-edged) longsword. A longsword is 15 gp. I don't know what else to say about that.
• Physically, the backsword is no bulkier than a longsword, certainly not bulkier than a greatclub or battleaxe. All the Heavy weapons in the PHB are huge.
• The target balance for this unfortunately falls between Simple and Martial. A one-handed 1d8 weapon is too good for a Simple weapon, you'd pick this every time over a mace or greatclub. Marasmusine (talk) 10:39, 2 November 2014 (MST)

• Well I can't very well rewrite the PHB, now, can I? (No matter how much certain parts my irk me)
• Again, it's just a modifier regarding little people, but I see your point.
• Then why would anyone ever choose a dagger over a handaxe?--Kydo (talk) 02:58, 17 December 2014 (MST)