Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Salahdin 04-12-07, 04:09 PM	How should it be in 3.5 rules?
Fiddlypoppin 04-12-07, 04:14 PM	Honestly? It's a longsword.
FreAkOuTRG 04-12-07, 04:21 PM	Honestly? It's a longsword. I've heard it's any sword thicker than a rapier, but I'm not a sword expert.
lint trap 04-12-07, 04:22 PM	Honestly? It's a longsword. Agreed. I've seen it as 2d4 19-20/x2, but Longsword is probably the best bet.
Fiddlypoppin 04-12-07, 04:29 PM	D&D in 3.5 generally treats any sword that is between 2 and 3 feet in blade length, straight, and thicker than a rapier as a longsword. Broad sword is a descriptive term, but there are also several other ways you can describe such a weapon. In previous editions, it was virtually identical to a longsword, but did 2d4 instead of 1d8 damage. In 3.5, they're identical.
Salahdin 04-12-07, 04:35 PM	D&D in 3.5 generally treats any sword that is between 2 and 3 feet in blade length, straight, and thicker than a rapier as a longsword. Broad sword is a descriptive term, but there are also several other ways you can describe such a weapon. In previous editions, it was virtually identical to a longsword, but did 2d4 instead of 1d8 damage. In 3.5, they're identical. K! Thanks u.
Watchman 04-12-07, 04:36 PM	Longsword. Bastard sword if it's a particularly big specimen, natch. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c6/Arnold-AS-Conan-3.jpg :P
Keenath 04-12-07, 04:46 PM	"Broadsword" has meant a few different things in a few different periods. In the 1600s until the 1800s, it was used for any relatively wide-bladed, double edged, basket-hilted weapon -- from a scottish claymore (a greatsword) to an italian schiavona (a longsword). Later, 'broadsword' became just a general term for any weapon relatively wide blade (compared to a rapier), including sabers, which did not fall under the earlier use of the term (having only one edge). In this sense, a broadsword is just a term for a cutting blade that's wide compared to the popular rapier, epee, and similar duelling blades of the time. In any case, it's just a longsword, bastard sword, or greatsword, for game purposes.
gothmaug 04-12-07, 04:47 PM	Depends if your talking real life broadsword or fantasy ala Conan type broadsword
Stormbrand 04-12-07, 04:56 PM	I've heard it's any sword thicker than a rapier, but I'm not a sword expert. I am a sword expert. You are right.
Shlohloh 04-12-07, 05:28 PM	I have a rhinegaurd broadsword ( not sure on spelling) its just shy of a hand and a half but its fairly heavy. from what i have been told it is ment to be used either by mounted fighters or against them. it is a slow as hell weapon though
antsterr 04-12-07, 08:28 PM	there is the broadblade shortsword from the compete adventurer. it give you +2 dodge bonus AC when fighting defensively.
Masterfulks 04-12-07, 11:34 PM	A lot of people would call a "longsword" to be what dnd calls a greatsword. It's tough to apply real world weapon names to dnd and be very strict. I'd just look at them in gaming terms and not worry about it.
pres_man 04-12-07, 11:50 PM	Ah, make a martial sword that does 2d4 20/x3. Forget realism or correct naming or any of that stuff. Have fun.
Johannixx 04-13-07, 12:44 AM	If you want a fantasy, Conan-esque 'broadsword', use either longsword or bastard sword stats. If you want a basket-hilt broadsword like the later-period Scottish claymores or Italian Schiavonas, use longsword stats and add a basket that provides a +2 bonus to resist disarm attempts. Add 5 gp to the cost, and you're good to go.
T_K 04-13-07, 12:50 AM	If you want a fantasy, Conan-esque 'broadsword', use either longsword or bastard sword stats. If you want a basket-hilt broadsword like the later-period Scottish claymores or Italian Schiavonas, use longsword stats and add a basket that provides a +2 bonus to resist disarm attempts. Add 5 gp to the cost, and you're good to go. IMO, the bonus also applies to all Perform checks where you use the sword. :P
Razorgrin 04-14-07, 06:44 PM	... a scottish claymore (a greatsword) ... Ah, but "claymore" refers to two different weapons. One is the larger, two-handed variety; the other is the basket-hilted version which is generally considered a "broadsword." (For argument's sake, the basket-hilted, single-handed weapon can also be a "backsword" if it's single-edged.) For what it's worth, the schiavona isn't a strictly Italian design; they appear in a tome describing medieval and Renaissance Scottish weaponry as well.
Razorgrin 04-14-07, 06:47 PM	If you want a basket-hilt broadsword like the later-period Scottish claymores or Italian Schiavonas, use longsword stats and add a basket that provides a +2 bonus to resist disarm attempts. Add 5 gp to the cost, and you're good to go. I've seen third-party rules that allow you to make an unarmed strike with the basket as though you were wearing a gauntlet. I don't know how useful that really is (I mean, you're already holding a sword!), but it's an interesting bit of flavor.
Watchman 04-14-07, 07:10 PM	For what it's worth, the schiavona isn't a strictly Italian design; they appear in a tome describing medieval and Renaissance Scottish weaponry as well.Wasn't it originally used by mercs from across the Adriatic ?
TheDarkPrince 04-14-07, 07:14 PM	I saw a source like that also, and I guess that the guantlet style damage would be useful in a grapple....