Is Weapon Finesse per weapon?

[brehobit]

In the PHB, page 91, Weapon Finesse has a "2" next to it which means "You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new weapon, skill, school of magic or selection of spells". Also, the table has a proficiency with weapon restriction and the feat description does not.

However, neither the feat description nor the SRD (in any place I can find) imply that this feat needs to be on a per-weapon basis.

Is this a case of the text overriding the table? Is there some errata I'm missing?

Thanks.

 

[Shin Okada]

That is 3.0e PHB you are reading. That rule has changed in 3.5e. 3.5e PHB has the same rule as current SRD.

 

[brehobit]

That is 3.0e PHB you are reading. That rule has changed in 3.5e. 3.5e PHB has the same rule as current SRD.

Nope, actually it is a 3.5 PHB. Maybe they fixed the problem in a later printing? Does yours not have the "2" next to Weapon Finesse?

 

[Shin Okada]

Nope, actually it is a 3.5 PHB. Maybe they fixed the problem in a later printing? Does yours not have the "2" next to Weapon Finesse?

I see. The table, right?

When a table and main text say something different, text is always right. This is the basic rule.

 

[brehobit]

I see. The table, right?

When a table and main text say something different, text is always right. This is the basic rule.

Yep. But I'm not sure that the text _is_ saying something different. It doesn't say you must take it for each weapon, but it also doesn't say you must.

I think I agree with what you say, just wanted to get opinions (so thanks!)

 

[Jdvn1]

Yep. But I'm not sure that the text _is_ saying something different. It doesn't say you must take it for each weapon, but it also doesn't say you must.

I think I agree with what you say, just wanted to get opinions (so thanks!)

Well, Weapon Focus (for example) says:
You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new type of weapon.

Weapon Finesse doesn't. I think it's different enough.

 

[ARandomGod]

I have always thought/assumed that indeed the Finesse feat only applied to one weapon. And so. I went to the online SRD on WoTC's site:

WEAPON FINESSE [GENERAL]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: With a light weapon, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls.
Special: A fighter may select Weapon Finesse as one of his fighter bonus feats.
Natural weapons are always considered light weapons.

And Lo! It does indeed appear that now taking this feat once allows you to finesse any and every finesseable weapon. Or, at least, any "light weapon, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size catagory".

 

[Jdvn1]

Nope, actually it is a 3.5 PHB. Maybe they fixed the problem in a later printing? Does yours not have the "2" next to Weapon Finesse?

They did fix the problem in the later printing.

 

[brehobit]

They did fix the problem in the later printing.

Great! I didn't realize errata had been fixed between printings of the 3.5 books.

Nice to know

 

[diaglo]

Great! I didn't realize errata had been fixed between printings of the 3.5 books.

Nice to know

yup. the errata was included in the Special edition PHB (leatherbound) too along with a nice letter.