Classifying a weapon proficiency [Archive] - Wizards Community

Classifying a weapon proficiency [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Alleran
02-14-08, 10:44 PM While working on a few character concepts (minus all the rules and so on, since I'm away from my books at the moment), I ran into a weapon that I'm not sure how (or where) to classify exactly. To be precise, it's the following:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jian

In short, a jian is a Chinese straight sword, often used in martial arts practise. Now, the character concept I'm working on is a Monk, and I can't figure out which proficiency to attach to this weapon. Is there anything in the rules detailing it and other eastern-style weapons? I thought about just classing it as a "longsword", but having experienced the use of both a traditional longsword and a jian, I feel that they're sufficiently different in weight, balance etc. and history that the proficiency should be seperate.

In any case, does anybody have any opinions as to where exactly this type of sword would fit? Martial weapons? Exotic?
Bullet06320
02-16-08, 07:15 AM Judging by how it looks and its size, I would classify it as a long sword
Alkasyn
02-16-08, 07:32 AM I agree with Bullet - but if you want to make it a distinct weapon, then make it a Exotic Wepan(Bastard) much like the katana is.
Another Gnome
02-16-08, 07:40 AM Longsword beyond a reasonable doubt.

Where D&D is concerned, a longsword is any hilted weapon with a more or less straight blade that has at least one cutting edge, and that is more efficient to use for slashing than stabbing people with, but not so large that you couldn't use it for fencing maneuvers with one hand.
Bullet06320
02-16-08, 07:46 AM The Complete Exotic Arms Guide, might have some more info, it was printed for the 3rd edition oriental adventures setting, one of the few books I don't own, now that I got a reason to own it, give me a week or two and I'll have a copy
BadCatMan
02-16-08, 08:47 AM The Arms & Equipment Guide classifies the jian as a longsword. The longsword is a D&D-only name that covers a wide variety of RW European swords; the jian is bound to fit at least one of them. It certainly looks like one.

[shameless plug] I have a thread for this sort of thing:
A Handbook For Weapon Masters And Weapon Specialists (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=985905)

I recommend the Whirling Steel Strike feat from the Eberron Campaign Setting. That will let you use your longsword/jian as a monk weapon, for the purpose of Flurry Of Blows. My handbook might interest you in other options.
Bullet06320
02-27-08, 11:21 PM Eastern Classes
Samurai, Shamans, Shugenja,
Sohei, Spirit Shamans, and Wu Jen
Eytan Bernstein

was just reading this article on the wizards site and came across jian, it specifically lists it as a long sword
not quite halfway down in the box titled Samurai Weapons
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070918

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Alleran 02-14-08, 10:44 PM	While working on a few character concepts (minus all the rules and so on, since I'm away from my books at the moment), I ran into a weapon that I'm not sure how (or where) to classify exactly. To be precise, it's the following: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jian In short, a jian is a Chinese straight sword, often used in martial arts practise. Now, the character concept I'm working on is a Monk, and I can't figure out which proficiency to attach to this weapon. Is there anything in the rules detailing it and other eastern-style weapons? I thought about just classing it as a "longsword", but having experienced the use of both a traditional longsword and a jian, I feel that they're sufficiently different in weight, balance etc. and history that the proficiency should be seperate. In any case, does anybody have any opinions as to where exactly this type of sword would fit? Martial weapons? Exotic?
Bullet06320 02-16-08, 07:15 AM	Judging by how it looks and its size, I would classify it as a long sword
Alkasyn 02-16-08, 07:32 AM	I agree with Bullet - but if you want to make it a distinct weapon, then make it a Exotic Wepan(Bastard) much like the katana is.
Another Gnome 02-16-08, 07:40 AM	Longsword beyond a reasonable doubt. Where D&D is concerned, a longsword is any hilted weapon with a more or less straight blade that has at least one cutting edge, and that is more efficient to use for slashing than stabbing people with, but not so large that you couldn't use it for fencing maneuvers with one hand.
Bullet06320 02-16-08, 07:46 AM	The Complete Exotic Arms Guide, might have some more info, it was printed for the 3rd edition oriental adventures setting, one of the few books I don't own, now that I got a reason to own it, give me a week or two and I'll have a copy
BadCatMan 02-16-08, 08:47 AM	The Arms & Equipment Guide classifies the jian as a longsword. The longsword is a D&D-only name that covers a wide variety of RW European swords; the jian is bound to fit at least one of them. It certainly looks like one. [shameless plug] I have a thread for this sort of thing: A Handbook For Weapon Masters And Weapon Specialists (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=985905) I recommend the Whirling Steel Strike feat from the Eberron Campaign Setting. That will let you use your longsword/jian as a monk weapon, for the purpose of Flurry Of Blows. My handbook might interest you in other options.
Bullet06320 02-27-08, 11:21 PM	Eastern Classes Samurai, Shamans, Shugenja, Sohei, Spirit Shamans, and Wu Jen Eytan Bernstein was just reading this article on the wizards site and came across jian, it specifically lists it as a long sword not quite halfway down in the box titled Samurai Weapons http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070918