Corinnguard
Hero
In 5e, a Light Weapon is a weapon that is small and easy to handle. But how small a weapon does have to be earn that particular weapon property? curious
D&D General When is a weapon, a Light weapon?
- Thread starter Corinnguard
- Start date
Corinnguard
Hero
I don't think weight determines whether or not a weapon is a Light Weapon. 
The Longsword in D&D weighs just as much as a Scimitar. It could be a size issue, but then we might wind up bantering about whose weapon is bigger and whether or not we know how to use them.
The Longsword in D&D weighs just as much as a Scimitar. It could be a size issue, but then we might wind up bantering about whose weapon is bigger and whether or not we know how to use them.
Voadam
Legend
No, whether it is small and easy to wield in an off hand defines a light weapon. Weight is the closest 5e measure we have as to how small though.I don't think weight determines whether or not a weapon is a Light Weapon.
We get light scimitars thanks to dual wielding Drizzt.
I'd say scimitars are the top end of size for light weapons.
Also the stats are a little weird. A 2 lb. light hammer is light and thrown d4 simple weapon. A 2 lb. Warhammer is a versatile d8 martial weapon. That is a lot of variation for different types of 2 lb. hammers. Upgrading from the warhammer to the two-handed heavy martial 2d6 maul takes it up to 10 lbs.
EzekielRaiden
Follower of the Way
I doubt there are any reliable conclusions you can draw from the largely non-mechanical information (weight and size) about these weapons.
Light weapons are what they are for a variety of reasons--"tradition" (meaning, they were light in a previous edition), flavor, balance--and most of them aren't particularly related to whether the weapon IRL meets any specific set of physical requirements.
Light weapons are what they are for a variety of reasons--"tradition" (meaning, they were light in a previous edition), flavor, balance--and most of them aren't particularly related to whether the weapon IRL meets any specific set of physical requirements.
LordEntrails
Hero
Clubs as a light weapon... well something the size of belaying pin is certainly small and easy to wield in an off hand. But a club like Bam Bam from the Flintstones or Billy from the AD&D cartoon. Yea, not really. And then of course you have great clubs that require two hands...
Yea, as @EzekielRaiden says, they are light because of mechanics and flavor. By themselves they should mechanically be inferior to non-light weapons and fit in a mechanically balanced option for off-hand use.
Yea, as @EzekielRaiden says, they are light because of mechanics and flavor. By themselves they should mechanically be inferior to non-light weapons and fit in a mechanically balanced option for off-hand use.
I'd say that BamBam's and Billy's weapons are both greatclubs, really. One is wielded by someone with excessive strength, the other is a magic item.
Greenstone.Walker
Adventurer
Given the qualities "light" and "finesse", I think the weapon that 5E calls a scimitar is more likely a parang or machete.
doctorbadwolf
Heretic of The Seventh Circle
More like a fencing saber, I think. A machete is too end-heavy to be right. The parang may well have never actually even been a combat weapon, but the thinner examples might do.
The D&D saber makes the most sense IMO as something with a handle like a parang, and then a thin, lightly curved blade about 2-3 feet total length, 2lbs at most, balance as near to the guard as possible.
But really, it’s just a fantasy weapon.
