There's an undeniable advantage to the double-flail: you can unironically say "this is going to hurt me a lot more than it's going to hurt you."
@RipOffProductionsLLC2 жыл бұрын
"I think we found something worse than the Nun-chucks!" - Shad
@Grandwigg2 жыл бұрын
And 'dire flail to the knee' made my day, hahaha
@webbowser88342 жыл бұрын
"The important thing to remember about the sword chucks is that they are as much a danger to yourself as they are to your opponent"
@shawnnerenberg6612 жыл бұрын
The pain is real. I watched my friend knock himself out with a tri-sectional staff. Right to the back of the head.
@SameStudent4072 жыл бұрын
So true
@carlospomares32252 жыл бұрын
"The nunchucks are fine" Shad: "My machicolations are trembling. Something is wrong!"
@MyNameisRevenant2 жыл бұрын
xD poor Shad
@old_timey_prospector2 жыл бұрын
That's very interesting.
@chengkuoklee57342 жыл бұрын
For me Nunchucks is makeshift weapon; flails, especially pole flails are modified upgraded from makeshift weapons. Both nunchuck and flail apply same mechanical concept but their design & output are totally different.
@sihilius2 жыл бұрын
Be prepared for the next video, explaining why nunchucks are utter bullshit, why none can use them effectively in any situation, why they have no right to even exist and of course why the stick is THE omnipotent weapon.
@andrasweninger60242 жыл бұрын
I believe in STICK supremacy
@matthewquan90832 жыл бұрын
I think the dire flail matches the name perfectly. Dire in D&D refers to a version that's more dangerous to people like a Wire Wolf or Dire Bear. In this case, a dire flail is more dangerous to the person who tries to use the darn thing in the first place.
@christianlangdon37662 жыл бұрын
Dont forget that batwoman show used it as a legit weapon.
@Mithguar2 жыл бұрын
You guys just don't know how to use it right. You grab one of the balls so you only hold the very end of it. Then you start swinging it around in circular motion to build up momentum. At right moment you just let it go. Now you either do some serious damage or hope your enemy picks it up and hurt themselve with it. Then you take out shield and a proper weapon and win.
@planescaped2 жыл бұрын
Dire is slang for something terrible too...
@dragonfell50782 жыл бұрын
@@Mithguar this is genius
@kei49042 жыл бұрын
Is the Wire Wolf a good conductor?
@Machintoshhater2 жыл бұрын
There was one D&D design I saw that was like a tower shield, but designed by Dwarves to fight against taller opponents. It had a spike at the bottom that they could use to stab the enemy's foot, or to plant the shield on the ground to create temporary cover for another ally, and two spikes at the top that pointed up like horns that could be used to gore a human-sized target below the ribs if the dwarf charged them. It was fanart, of course, because nothing that functional would've come out of current WotC.
@unapatatadanesa10212 жыл бұрын
That shield sounds so damn cool
@Overlord997622 жыл бұрын
True enough with your last comment. Also, I am familiar with the artwork, the dwarf depicted there looks too skinny tho
@AdarinMonk Жыл бұрын
Maybe a step handle in the middle to help a dwarf with launching themselves up into a leaping wrestling grab would be just as awesome. And maybe in between the two upper spikes, you could have a sharpened metal rim for decapitating your opponent when you take them back down with you.
@velazquezarmouries Жыл бұрын
Probably could work like a spiked pavise or one of tallhoffer's judicial dueling shields
@SpadeOfAces55 Жыл бұрын
That last bit hit hard in light of the recent OGL debacle... and new druid Wild Shape... and new Spiritual Weapon spell...
@thomasdevlin58252 жыл бұрын
"If you have a healer on hand that can magically close your wounds I guess that's fine" That is a terrifying concept, this face tanking berserker warrior that runs into battle with reckless abandon that's constantly being healed so he never takes fatal damage
@nerdicusdorkum29232 жыл бұрын
He will take fatal damage... after the healer casts hold person on him to chew him the hell out for his absolutely reckless behavior!
@robertwildschwein72072 жыл бұрын
Kill the healer first LOL!
@prdurnion832 жыл бұрын
I play healer in many of my games and while I may be able to heal wounds and cure ailments, I can't fix stupidity. Also, stop standing in the fire.
@archlectoryarvi28732 жыл бұрын
Noi from Dorohedoro
@ConnorSinclairCavin2 жыл бұрын
Its called TF2… medieval edition
@sevenproxies42552 жыл бұрын
Bro! I have an awesome idea for a "double weapon". I call it the "double gun". It's basically two guns, where the barrels point in opposite directions, so you'll have a gun barrel in your face as you point the other barrel towards the enemy! 🤣
@doublesalopetoimcre2 жыл бұрын
MURICA FUCK YEAH!
@ArkadiBolschek2 жыл бұрын
It's fiendishly clever!
@quint3ssent1a2 жыл бұрын
Uhh, it's called a bazooka, and no, you point the other "barrel" over your shoulder to safely vent backblast. Although, if someone managed to sneak upon you from behind, you can use backblast to BLAST him too.
@jurtheorc81172 жыл бұрын
For a moment i thought you were going to say you made two guns into a nunchuck (gunchuck) like Bayonetta with the Sai Fung weapon.
@Gellert19842 жыл бұрын
...You've just invented the recoilless rifle.
@DDSForbbiden2 жыл бұрын
I think what may happened with the Gnome spiked hammer was that the game designers told their artists that it was "a hammer with a spike on the oppositive end", as in how real war hammers have a single head with both a flat and spiked side; but the artists misinterpreted that as literaly "a hammer with a spike in the other end on the handdle", and then they all decided to just roll with it
@sirreginaldfishingtonxvii61492 жыл бұрын
this also feels weirdly in character to some eccentric gnome inventor
@vladimirgertner39602 жыл бұрын
Gnomes make weird shit. But also, skall said that "it could make sense as 2-hander, don't forget, Gnomes are tiny, so they would use it as a 2hander.
@goransekulic36712 жыл бұрын
Well, if Regill is anything to go by, it'd be used two handed, more akin to a Double-Sword or something like that. Still, why put that spike down there when you already have a spike? /weird
@gustavoaraujopenha84632 жыл бұрын
I'ts not caleed an spiked gnome hammer, but an hooked gnome hammer, so nop, the hook was enterily proposital. It also is an double weapon, wich is an weapon suposed to be wielded with both hands which make one attack with each end every turn.
@MrDmitriRavenoff2 жыл бұрын
I always figured it was shown so small because gnomes are small and it wad actually a 2 handed weapon.
@farsightenclave35112 жыл бұрын
The Gnome hooked hammer is supposed to be a two handed double weapon. The reason it looks small is that, as the name implies, it is generally sized for gnomes.
@Shadowdarkfire1822 жыл бұрын
@Skallgrim This^^ Gnomes are VERY small in D&D, even smaller than halflings, and the hook hammer is supposed to be held in a similar grip to a quarterstaff or two-bladed sword (think Darth Maul) and is often depicted being spun a lot, often and the ankles or shins of much larger opponents to trip them up then bash in their skulls/chests. The idea being the Gnome is SO small and quick they can dart into your reach and trip you up before you can land a blow on them then trip, CRACK, dead big bad guy.
@justnoob81412 жыл бұрын
@@Shadowdarkfire182 that’s spam account
@Orthus1002 жыл бұрын
Also the proportions in the drawings aren't always super accurate.
@thethan3022 жыл бұрын
you know, i always thought gnome hooked hammers were supposed to be spun around in one hand. but that would probably be worst. Granted i never thought they were interesting or cool enough to bother with anyway.
@kamiki40i42 жыл бұрын
Yes. It's used with both hands. Gnomes are very small.
@locustofchiron Жыл бұрын
I like how you mentioned at the end "if you're stronger, why bother with the double end instead of just making the main end bigger?" Because in the Pathfinder RPG (1st edition), the Orcs did just that. they took a greataxe, removed the double end, and added more mass to the main blade to make what the humans call a Butchering Axe, throwing a massive 3d6 dice of damage at base. Unlike most weapons you actually take a penalty to hit and damage with it if you don't meet a minimum strength requirement.
@XanKreigor2 жыл бұрын
Since you never played D&D, there is a whole category of weapons called "Exotic weapons" that require a Feat to use normally, otherwise you get a penalty on chance to hit with them. Most of these exotic weapons are the weirder ones that have poor designs.
@CrizzyEyes Жыл бұрын
Yeah, but it begs the question of why you'd want to invest time in learning how to use them as a warrior. Of course, I understand what the designers were going for. They're supposed to be from foreign or niche cultures and seem exotic to the reader. But from a practical perspective, if the weapons behaved realistically instead of being a d20 die roll and a damage roll, it would be silly to use many of the exotic weapons. The real-life equivalent of exotic weapons (like the Indian whip sword) were almost never used in actual combat and were instead used for performative purposes.
@TndrTwn Жыл бұрын
@@CrizzyEyes maybe your a crazy priest, fighting with a crazy weapon... The point is it's possible.
@CrizzyEyes Жыл бұрын
@@TndrTwn Another thing I brought up in a different thread, is judicial purposes. The orc double weapon strikes me as a good example of a judicial weapon. In real life medieval Germany, trial by combat was an accepted form of resolving disputes, and judicial champion became a profession in its own right -- like a lawyer, but you beat the shit out of the other lawyer instead of arguing. However, to make sure it's fair, they'd use weird weapons so a skilled swordsman plaintiff couldn't just choose sword and destroy the opponent. So a whole career class of champions that knew how to use these weird ceremonial judicial weapons emerged.
@CryselleSilverwynd Жыл бұрын
@@CrizzyEyes It gets even worse when you think about the fact that exotic weapons was a catchall class. In the world of DnD, if you're a rogue who spent a lot of time and effort in learning to effectively use a hand crossbow as a stealthy and concealable ranged weapon, you can absolutely translate those hand crossbow skills over to proficient use of the orc double axe.
@CrizzyEyes Жыл бұрын
@@CryselleSilverwynd Well, it used to be that exotic weapon had to be taken for EVERY SINGLE WEAPON that you'd want to use. So you'd spend a whole feat slot learning to use one weapon. This made more sense logically but I guess somebody complained it was bad, even though how many characters actually use multiple exotic weapons? Not very many I'd wager, aside from monks who get a few for free.
@quint3ssent1a2 жыл бұрын
In 3.5 spiked chain was considered best weapon because with it you can trip people around you, creating a "big no-go zone". It also had "best of two worlds", being a long weapon (longer than polearms), but being able to attack up close (which polearms couldn't.) Luckily, DnD dodged the questions "how do I swing 15 foot of chain without accidentally hitting my party members and entangling myself in it".
@ObatongoSensei2 жыл бұрын
Or a 6 feet greatsword, for that... Reach and bulkiness had always been poorly ruled in that game.
@Gr3nadgr3gory2 жыл бұрын
It's simple really, just put a single level into wizard and use "animate rope!" You just need a spiked chain under 10 lb in weight...
@youngimperialistmkii2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I remember all the crazy fighter builds my friends came up with. For the Spiked chain.
@ObatongoSensei2 жыл бұрын
@@youngimperialistmkii Quite a common way of thinking back then: find an OP weapon and superspecialize in it... Then someone disarms you or destroys/steals your weapon and you become completely useless. As a DM, I dealt with a score of such characters in that way.
@youngimperialistmkii2 жыл бұрын
@@ObatongoSensei lol What a way to find out that you over specialized. I like that 5e makes it much harder to make that mistake.
@CrescentGuard2 жыл бұрын
You will be quite gratified to know, Skal, that newer versions of DnD rectify the Longsword error. Nowadays the bastard sword/longsword are considered one-in-the-same and has slight damage stat modifications depending on whether you're using it one-handed or two-handed
@kallisto91662 жыл бұрын
Do they mention arming swords? That always felt like a major omission.
@dynamicworlds12 жыл бұрын
@@kallisto9166 "longsword" is just what they call arming swords in D&D. They just now let you also use them as hand-and-a-half swords.
@sylvarogre54692 жыл бұрын
Now, if we could just get people to stop using "in" for "and" and "of" for "have".
@slyfer602 жыл бұрын
@@kallisto9166 the arming sword is not in the official rules.
@Gear3k2 жыл бұрын
But they didn't fix the "studded armor" thing yet, right?
@W4iteFlame2 жыл бұрын
Doublebladed doublesided axestaff...yeah, I am glad you mentioned this monstrosity. It was the first and probably only weapon from DnD I saw and asked myself "Wtf is that and how you supposed to use it?". It was in the Neverwinter Nights. Ah, the nostalgia
@johannesstephanusroos49692 жыл бұрын
It was pretty much made to make best use of Two Weapon Fighting, but IRL? Hell no
@Inuxxus2 жыл бұрын
I imagine it might make a nice gladiatorial weapon though
@pitbullnamedcupcake84852 жыл бұрын
The signature weapon of my main man Daelan Red Tiger!
@Kamiyodesuyo2 жыл бұрын
In NwN it was a polearm-sized though. So, while still crazy, it wasn't as stupid, as short-handled version is.
@sephiroaone-of-nine1012 жыл бұрын
Imagine thinking like a human in how a orc would fight
@CaptainStupendous2 жыл бұрын
I remember these double-bladed weapons appearing in the D&D manual right after the release of Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. That double-bladed lightsaber was SO COOL and had successfully established itself into pop culture. Thanks a lot, Star Wars.
@webbowser88342 жыл бұрын
quick nitpick, Attack of the Clones is episode 2 (which featured surprisingly few attacking clones, especially when compared to episode 3). Episode 1 is The Phantom Menace, which does feature a bad guy with a double bladed lightsaber (and yes, it was very cool for 5 year old me and darn near everyone else at the time).
@CaptainStupendous2 жыл бұрын
@@webbowser8834 aw fuck, why did I make that mistake? Thanks for the correction. Will edit.
@bthsr71132 жыл бұрын
Well with a lightsaber, many of the problems of inadequate force fade away (while increasing risk to the user, so I'd rather have a magnaguard staff) and when you have a motorized prosthetic hand like Savage Oppress, you can autospin that thing fast enough to practically become a shield.
@williambarnes5023 Жыл бұрын
A lightsaber has the additional benefit that you can make either of the blades appear and disappear at will. So where a normal double ended sword would restrict your movement and chop you in half with the other blade when you try to spin it, you can just TURN OFF that blade of a lightsaber when it gets to you and turn it back on again when it swings for the opponent.
@MartijnVos Жыл бұрын
I was quite surprised about how much hate Kylo Ren's lightsaber with cross guard got in The Force Awakens, while everybody thought the ridiculous double lightsaber was cool. The lightsaber with cross guard was the one thing that made sense in that movie. Do you know how many people in Kylo Ren's family have lost hands in lightsaber duel? Getting some extra hand protection shows he's not as stupid as he looks.
@smilingnid42762 жыл бұрын
I like how alot of the impracticality was backed up by the Exotic weapons feat never being worth taking compared to just doubling down on something else
@monk31102 жыл бұрын
Thats very true they are rarely worth it
@Morrowinder7772 жыл бұрын
Bastard sword were very worthy, as you could use them 1 handed with the damage of a 2 handed weapon, and if you got a Large sized one you could use it 2 handed for 2d8 damage IIRC.
@monk31102 жыл бұрын
@@Morrowinder777 I mean it’s a long sword that deals 1d10…
@hyldur2 жыл бұрын
@@monk3110 An average of 1 extra damage over the longsword, which is not unreasonable for a feat. Not great, but totally viable for a fighter with an abundance of bonus feats. Power attacking 1 with a longsword will give you the same average damage, but cost you -1 to hit, as well as a feat.
@XanKreigor2 жыл бұрын
Scythes, for their 4x critical damage.
@vasilyd85782 жыл бұрын
1:43 this DnD guisarme is actually a bill hook, some historians say it's the predecessor of guisarme
@tommeakin17322 жыл бұрын
I honestly don't really understand this bit of weapon etymology. I would refer to the reference image as a bill. Sometimes I see these things referred to as bills. Guisarmes seem like a rather poorly defined thing, covering things I'd call bills, to monstrosities that look very, very different to a bill, other than the fact they're a polearm with multiple protrusions, and perhaps a hooked blade. Is guisarme perhaps supposed to be a broader "category"?
@khublaklonk44802 жыл бұрын
"The nomenclature of polearms" is a rightly infamous chapter in the original 1st Ed Unearthed Arcana. However, much of this nomenclature was the work of Victorian antiquarians, who tried to force a set of terms post-hoc upon a series of weapons that were never conceived or referred to in that way. Indeed, that came from many places over a long period of time, and used by people speaking many different languages. A lot of Gary Gygax's understanding of the period came from such writings, and a lot of it is baked into the underlying assumptions of D&D.
@rayanderson57972 жыл бұрын
Here's a clarification, and I'd be curious if this helps its case: But at 6:04 the double-headed light hammer (14) is probably meant as a throwing weapon. In the game it can be thrown, and to me the design seems to indicate that that's its primary function, it just happens that you could also swing it at someone if they're close.
@Skallagrim2 жыл бұрын
That would make more sense, yeah.
@dragonqueenniisan41222 жыл бұрын
Light hammers in DnD do have a throwing range!
@JindraAG2 жыл бұрын
I think probably the funniest thing about the 'double' axe is that it ended up becoming two weapons, one a two handed one with a reasonable length haft and everything, and the other, called the orcish double axe, being a one handed monstrosity that effectively is as much metal on a stick as you can manage, sharpened.
@fenrir5092 жыл бұрын
I will accept this as canon.
@tvsnate2 жыл бұрын
I honestly think, especially with the double-double axe, that "rule of cool" applies in game as well. Orcs are stereotypically blustery and aggressive so I can definitely see the biggest one of the bunch after a big fight just get that *ding* moment and run over to the smith and say "PUT AN AXE ON MY AXE" and everyone else throws up the horns because it's so damned METAL. Sure, he probably died in short order but it was a glorious death and he looked awesome so now all the cool orcs want one.
@CrizzyEyes Жыл бұрын
I would see it as being a ceremonial weapon that orcs use in judicial combat trials or something of that nature. Real life judicial champions in medieval Germany used absurd weapons sometimes because it monopolized their profession. If you're legally required to use a weapon nobody else uses in judicial trials, then only a person specifically trained to be a judicial champion can settle your trial by combat for you, as opposed to any old mercenary or soldier.
@LendriMujina Жыл бұрын
@@CrizzyEyes What weapons are these?
@ashtongiertz8728 Жыл бұрын
Something I think Skallagrim fails to consider for this weapon is that the double-double axe is likely intended for a different style of combat than a more conventional double-axe. It would likely be wielded less like a pole arm and more like a Bo staff; a more defense-heavy fighting style that has you always ready to block your opponent. And unlike a Bo staff, if the opponent ends in breaking the shaft, you still have decent combat potential because, well, now you have two axes. Basically, you should be fitting the fighting style to the weapon's design, not the other way around. Sure the image in the official D&D book shows a shorter shaft than what would be practical for such a fighting style, but given that there are clearly two grip points and Orcs are larger than humans rather than smaller I think it's safe to assume that the drawing is simply squashed in proportions to save space on the page.
@Bruh-lq7ev Жыл бұрын
@@ashtongiertz8728 I mean yes, but sometimes there isn't a style on earth or toril that can make a design work. No matter how big the bugger is he(Or she assuming orcs are more progressive) they still have to worry about shanking their own wrists, legs or torsos. If it was two one sided ax heads then I could see how someone who's 2.5m tall and 90 percent muscle could use it, but that double head is just an awful idea, especially on such a short handle as shown in 3d edition. And that's ignoring the counter weight making the swings weaker
@UpliftThrone76 Жыл бұрын
I had a Cleric who did this "axe on my axe" thing, but with hammers. She didn't fight very often but she was the face of the party, so she got a massive shaft and threw on two big warhammer heads onto it to create something that wasn't near as useful as a regular one, but had that much more intimidation factor. She was awesome.
@smokingbobs13442 жыл бұрын
This video is very well produced. The pacing, the tone and the supporting visuals are fantastic; a joy to watch.
@Skallagrim2 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@arx35162 жыл бұрын
The quadruple axe makes perfect sense, you throw it at your enemies like a boomerang, it can decimate an entire army before flying back into your hand.
@MalloonTarka2 жыл бұрын
That sounds like the fever dream you'd have after wounding yourself with the axe.
@arx35162 жыл бұрын
@@MalloonTarka no it's something you can do if you believe in getter!
@HiopX2 жыл бұрын
The imperial inquisition wants to know your location
@Klomster882 жыл бұрын
Then it can decimate your army as well after you fail to catch this magical flying axe. And then there is no more war! Peace at last!
@ZirkaZironka2 жыл бұрын
That sounds absolutely terrifying. What if I get the arteficer to strap rockets to the blades and make a deadly spinning axe? FIGIGET SPINNER OF DEATJ
@atomicgator52072 жыл бұрын
The dwarven urgrosh was always one of my favorite fantasy weapons. I'm glad to hear it could actually pass muster as a real world weapon.
@quint3ssent1a2 жыл бұрын
Playing Pathfinder, I thought Urgrosh is just an axe ... until I googled pictures of it. Maybe the design with reinforced and spiky butt of the shaft has some merit, but artists tend to over- exaggerate spike on the end, turning it into some wicked spear with broad head.
@mitchhaelann92152 жыл бұрын
The spike on the other end of the heavily weighted Dwarven Urgrosh would make it good to set against a cavalry charge. The heavy axe head would make a good anchor.
@GameTimeWhy2 жыл бұрын
Slash poink. I loved using the urgosh. 3.5 made these weapons feel awesome.
@Trotoloko2 жыл бұрын
Came here to brighten your day, then: there's a historical and even ON USE equivalent of it, and it's called shepherd axe.
@atomicgator52072 жыл бұрын
@@Trotoloko Very cool. Thanks.
@dancarter62682 жыл бұрын
If I remember correctly, D&D 3.5 was the first edition to come out after the release of Star Wars Episode 1. They probably saw how popular Darth Maul and his double-bladed lightsaber was, and they decided to go balls out and add in a double-bladed everything to their game.
@joshalmightyblades2 жыл бұрын
U had me at DnD. I'm 39, haven't played in 20yrs. God I miss the close friendships, and artistic expression.
@piotrrosciszewski79502 жыл бұрын
Not being D&D player myself, enjoyed the video very much. One thing about the scythe though: these were widely used in Polish uprisings (end of 18th to late 19th century) by peasant infantry but AFTER they had been reworked do that the blade was no konger perpendicular to the pole; that would make them more wieldy and with even greater reach, some even had tips reworked too for thrusting.
@alexh44362 жыл бұрын
You should do a sparring session using the worst D&D weapons where the opponent gets to chose the weapon you use. If you want to be a killjoy you can take steps to make sure the sparring is safe.
@kamilszadkowski88642 жыл бұрын
Holy shit this a great idea!
@МолчаливыйКлинок2 жыл бұрын
Those are pretty old and obscure weapons. If you`re considering a sequel for this video 5E have a lot of art for magical weapons especially in DMG. Some are pretty bizarre (sword of wounding and giantslayer), while some look pretty cool (vorpal sword and Dagger of venom)
@babbiification2 жыл бұрын
As someone who started on AD&D, this comment makes me feel fairly old and obscure, but I'm still glad the hobby continues to grow. Keep on rolling! :P
@МолчаливыйКлинок2 жыл бұрын
@@babbiification Thanks grandpa ;)
@johannesstephanusroos49692 жыл бұрын
You're just mentioning magical enchantments, Skall can't review those in the context of practicality
@МолчаливыйКлинок2 жыл бұрын
@@johannesstephanusroos4969 I am mostly talking about the design of each weapon. 5E has official art for them.
@johannesstephanusroos49692 жыл бұрын
@@МолчаливыйКлинок Sure, but the enchantments imply that they'll still work 'because magic'
@sharkinahat2 жыл бұрын
The funny thing is that spiked chain used to be OP. 2d4, 10foot reach, but no penalty at point blank, +2 to trip attack and you were able to let go not to be tripped ( or something like it).
@clothar232 жыл бұрын
Having your cake and eat it too I guess.
@johannesstephanusroos49692 жыл бұрын
You could also tie up almost any creatures with it (and probably have to use a lock)
@jaycenzimbeck76382 жыл бұрын
I should also point out that typically you didn't use it as a double weapon like the picture in the book seems to imply you are supposed to.
@Y2KNW2 жыл бұрын
I remember Jackie Chan beating someone up with a horseshoe on a rope and I just went with that as how to use a spiked chain in D&D.
@johannesstephanusroos49692 жыл бұрын
@@Y2KNW That would be an analogue of a meteor hammer, though
@mikemurphy58982 жыл бұрын
That double spiked chain thing around 13:00 looked like something you'd see a shaoilin monk or someone like that come out and do absolutely crazy shit with it
@jonnypeterson39712 жыл бұрын
I think the really difficult thing that the creators of DnD face is that if something is effective and practical, then it is likely historical. Sometimes they have to make weapons not very practical to get that fantasy element. I make my characters with semi practical weapons and equipment just because I love historical arms and armor.
@TheLithp2 жыл бұрын
Thing is, there are some really exotic weapons in history that could basically pass for fantasy but seem like they would still overall be decent.
@yinnyari2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the rundown of D&D weapons, as a person who's been playing D&D for a long time and is interested in history your insights are very useful
@puddel90792 жыл бұрын
I mentioned the double axe and the dire flail in a short you did Skall. Thanks for talking about the impracticality of these weapons.
@Grygong5552 жыл бұрын
Fun fact: Scyths were actually a prominent weapon during the Kosciuszko uprising in Poland, the farmers would rotate the blade 90 degrees to make sort of a polearm :D
@ReptilianRebel2 жыл бұрын
As well as the vendee uprising in the French Revolution, peasants running at revolutionary guardsmen armed with reforged scythes into cannon shot. Crazy.
@DizzyTrendermen2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, he’s talked about those before huh? Weren’t they referred to as “war scythes”
@Palora012 жыл бұрын
@@DizzyTrendermen not quite, war scythes were proper weapons of war, built from the start for that use while the peasants used their normal not very good for combat scythes because that was the only possible weapons they had access to switching to any proper weapon the moment they found one or switching to a club/staff the moment the flimsy scythe blade broke from combat, which they did often since people are a lot more durable than wheat.
@Gr3nadgr3gory2 жыл бұрын
@@Palora01 other polearms are too. Hopefully your shafts are of comparable strength!
@atomaszfarbaa16502 жыл бұрын
Polish socialists from PPS in gdansk in 39 armed themselves with war scythes as well. They dont used them in fight tho cuz they got the guns. Also in kosciuszko uprising when scythes started to become scarce, fighters would equipped themselves with "halabarda's" - common axes for choping wood with way longer handle and "drąg's" - straight wooden clubs enforced with metal on tip.
@MrEscalus2 жыл бұрын
I could imagine Quadruple Axe, symmetric heads with long handle, being perfectly wielded by Darth Maul, and suited towards that.. spinny, dancy, unique fantasy style (you get the picture :D ), and not just standing and chopping pretending like its typical axe :D Anyways, love your content Skall !
@AndrewJohnson-oy8oj Жыл бұрын
The challenge with inventing fantasy weapons isn't that people aren't creative enough. It's that people have always been creative. So, anything that WOULD be effective as a weapon already HAS been made at one point.
@jimbob33322 жыл бұрын
I'd love to see you critique every Dynasty Warriors 8 weapon type. Now that's an insane series.
@Charlie_Xmas2 жыл бұрын
the fucking boat dude! I love that dumb weapon it's so good in game
@DrVoodoo2 жыл бұрын
@@Charlie_Xmas Don't forget the bladed hula hoop
@anarchy48122 жыл бұрын
didnt 1 guy have a pillar?
@peterwindhorst57752 жыл бұрын
@@anarchy4812 which would just be no different from a quarterstaff or a club
@peterwindhorst57752 жыл бұрын
@@DrVoodoo based on the Chinese weapon -> wind fire wheels.
@giggityguy2 жыл бұрын
On the topic of counterweights: physics tells us that objects with weight distributed towards the outside of their center of mass have more rotational inertia than those with the weight more centered. As an example, a wooden disc and a metal ring of equal weight would have very different amounts of rotational inertia. The more rotational inertia you have, the more energy it takes to both start and stop moving it, so it will exhaust the user. Plus having equal weight on each end moves the center of mass and center of percussion closer to the center of the weapon, reducing the overall power of each blow. Incidentally, this also applies when discussing swords. Many inexperienced people assume that the pommel of a sword is supposed to be a heavy counterweight to the blade so that the sword is "perfectly balanced," ie balanced right at the guard. Except that a good cutting sword will not be balanced that far back, and actually benefits from having a center of balance farther up the blade. Plus having a heavy pommel will once again create more rotational inertia, slowing down the weapon and reducing its striking power. Rapiers and smallswords forgo almost all cutting power in favor of point control, but even then you don't want a heavy pommel because it still will create rotational inertia and slow down the sword. Rapiers balance their blades using the weight of the complex hilt, which is centered on the hand itself, rather than in a pommel that acts as a lever sticking out. Consider which do you think, intuitively, you could maneuver faster: This shape? ( )-----------( ) Or this shape? --------( )--------
@aprinnyonbreak1290 Жыл бұрын
Answer: I am a lizardman, so I snap you with my tail to knock you off balance, bite you, then poke you with the crazy 3===()==( )=()=====7 that I took off the last guy. Metal is pretty valuable.
@ninjagamer13592 жыл бұрын
I always interpret the spiked chain as essentially a chain whip from martial arts. In D&D, the artistic depictions are frequently pretty far removed from the actual weapons, lol.
@captainmaim2 жыл бұрын
seems like a good way to disarm/unshield your opponents, but I like Jackie Chan's rope-with-horseshoe weapon better.
@ninjagamer13592 жыл бұрын
@@captainmaim That was a makeshift version of another traditional weapon in martial arts of a similar type to the chain whip, the rope dart. I know they’re similar, but I never got far enough in kung fu to actually learn the specific technique(s) for either :P That’s a fantastic fight scene, though, as Jackie’s always are!
@captainmaim2 жыл бұрын
@@ninjagamer1359 is there a traditional name for that weapon type? "Rope-dart" just isn't sexy like "nagamaki" or "tonfa" or "krabi/daab"
@ninjagamer13592 жыл бұрын
@@captainmaim Yeah, it certainly lacks the sex factor 😂 Don’t remember the Chinese name for it, I’m afraid, but I do know that whole category of weapons is called “soft” or “flexible weapons.”
@ninjagamer13592 жыл бұрын
@@captainmaim Okay I just looked it up, and it’s sheng biao! Just means rope dart in Chinese, though :P
@graveyardshift21002 жыл бұрын
I remember in one 3.5 splat book there was a Dwarven rifled crossbow. It was literally a crossbow with a gun barrel at the front, and it shot the bolts through the barrel for a +1 to hit. (May have been +1 damage)
@davehood2667 Жыл бұрын
The Palladium Fantasy compendium has that too, calls it a slurbow, and supposedly everything in that book actually existed.
@fenorlex1126 Жыл бұрын
@@davehood2667 It seemed to be true as a hunting crossbow.
@dudebucket60 Жыл бұрын
I'm surprised you never mentioned the double bladed scimitar from the Eberon setting. Would love to see your reaction to that
@nightsong812 жыл бұрын
Having always wanted to play a Klingon in D&D, my go-to was to play a Half-Orc Fighter with a double axe, but envisioned as a bat'leth. I always sorta figured the drawings in the book were like the medieval manuscripts that showed animals the artists had never seen, and were wildly inaccurate to how they actually looked. That was how I justified my clearly Star Trek inspired "orc double axe."
@clothar232 жыл бұрын
Honestly a double ended sword would have imo been a better choice as a stand in for a bat'leth. Since the things are clearly inspired by hook swords.
@nightsong812 жыл бұрын
@@clothar23 Maybe, but with the double axe being the iconic Orc racial weapon, it just kinda fit the flavor of what I was going for.
@gustavoaraujopenha84632 жыл бұрын
@@clothar23 Well, the bat'leth is very heavy ended so an axe still makes sense, specially considering the only diferecen between an double ax and double sword was the crit
@Gr3nadgr3gory2 жыл бұрын
In a fantasy world of mine my character created a direflail imbued with the concept of his own self destruction. He only uses it on enemies he's more durable than and it still honestly hurts him more than his opponent. It is in fact a weapon designed to make fights harder on him because he kind of hates himself.
@jurtheorc81172 жыл бұрын
I love epidoes like these, I think they're quite fun. I wonder what you'd think of the weapons in the Mark of Kri games and Mortal Shell. The latter especially might be of aestethical interest to you with its armor designs. Whereas the former is a Don Bluth-styled hodge podge mix of all kinds of culture inspirations. Starting with the main character alone, who looks like a Polynesian Conan... and fights with an armingsword.
@LostLittleNomad2 жыл бұрын
The best concept of a doubleheaded double bladed axe I have seen was from the Mummy Returns (2001) - the risen Anubis army used polearm-sized double-bladed palm axes.
@bobidybilly2 жыл бұрын
Skallagrim if my favourite blade master! Not only is your content very interesting and informative, I love your genuine passion for the topic (and the skit’s always get a smile out of me 😂)
@fatstrategist2 жыл бұрын
Skall out here saving youtube's medieval content
@captainmaim2 жыл бұрын
he goes medieval on all our asses...
@easternhills13292 жыл бұрын
Adding the counterweight just adds moment of inertia to this rigid body system making it much harder to move than before.
@ferric67962 жыл бұрын
People don't know about rotational inertia.
@raypath4032 жыл бұрын
I am waiting this commentary. Now can you explain why adding the counterweight on opposite side make it harder to rotate, then just adding same weight on one side?
@Alberic_Str31N2 жыл бұрын
09:00 Wait Skal, didn't you use to have a symetrical double bladed axe that would cut like sh!t due to having a lot of weight on the backside when hitting and this made the axe "roll" on impact instead of cutting? Ps: And on the subject of the Spiked Chain, would you believe that this weapon was meta back in the day?
@jlan78442 жыл бұрын
If I'm remembering right that axe also happened to be a mall ninja wall hanger. So that may have had as much, if not more, to do with it being bad. Double headed axes have always very much been a thing in reality. People just tend to forget that the twin head design is almost always restricted to woodcutting axes for a reason (two different edge types on one tool).
@planescaped2 жыл бұрын
@@jlan7844 Yeah, one is usually a maul and the other a blade. Or if it is two blade's it is more of a durability thing than anything. War axes meant to actually be used were rarely double bladed, as it just added weight with no benefit. And when it was done it was more so just for aesthetic reasons.
@TulgaVisigoth2 жыл бұрын
Can't find the actual video about best-value swords, so here I post. Took your advice and bought the Cold Steel Back Sword and you are right, it is a great deal for the money. The grip has much to be desired, but nothing some hockey grip tape won't solve. Balance and fit and finish way above the price point. Thanks much Tulga
@Ezekiel_Allium2 жыл бұрын
If you ever want to return to the subject Dark Sun has some awesomely goofy weapons that I adore. The double jaw bone axe thing especially has lived rent free in my head for years. A lot seem fairly reasonable while still wacky though, it's a good time
@balderfrey202 жыл бұрын
I would never think dark sun as wacky😅
@Ezekiel_Allium2 жыл бұрын
@@balderfrey20 the weapons for sure are lol
@junibug6790 Жыл бұрын
@@balderfrey20 Personally, I can never think of Dark Sun as anything BUT wacky, what with every inhabitant of that world wearing BDSM-leather-gimp-gear in the searing desert sun...but I still do love the setting. ;)
@balderfrey20 Жыл бұрын
@@junibug6790 i always found it a brutal slog. But that could be just the Dm
@artsy_dragon_creations2 жыл бұрын
And this is why I never stick to the official designs for my characters. I always design them myself, even if the design doesn’t perfectly fit the exact kind of weapon they’re using like a great axe that’s a bit short or a sword that’s a little too large for its class. That way you get more freedom as well as being able to make the weapons more practical if you want to
@sim.frischh97812 жыл бұрын
That Orc Doubleaxe would make sense on a rotation style combat with almost dance-like movement, but i cannot imagine this being practically applied anywhere except a training ground either.
@quint3ssent1a2 жыл бұрын
It's also should be longer, at least 3/4 of the height of someone who would use it.
@randombloke822 жыл бұрын
I feel like it could be dramatically improved by offsetting the axe blades by 90° like a canoe paddle - not to the point of being really useful but at least slightly less suicidal…
@clothar232 жыл бұрын
@@randombloke82 That is a good idea to help a terrible weapon.
@captainmaim2 жыл бұрын
It was the preferred weapon of the Bolshoi Orc tribes of the freezing steppe.
@GA1313E2 жыл бұрын
I think all the double weapons come from the idea of a centre gripped quarterstaff. Which seems to have a strong grip on the popular imagination. I'm guessing its the same as how movie fencing started out like 19th and 20th century sabre, staff fighting, like in robin hood, was recreated in a "modern" style. So if you have seen fighting with a staff held in the middle, and maybe even done it, playing as a child or in the boy scouts etc. It makes sense to add something like a weapon at each end to make a fantasy weapon you can relate to.
@planescaped2 жыл бұрын
I can only hear the Pon Farr music as Spock and Kirk face down and bang the center of their weapons together.
@Nazuiko Жыл бұрын
These kinds of videos are neat because they explain WHY things dont work and werent used in reality, which say, I'm writing a medieval low-fantasy story. Maybe i throw in a dire flail, maybe i have the fantasy strong race using double edged axes. Or maybe I would just stick to the practical weapons, that real life warriors had 600 years to come up with and test
@DzinkyDzink2 жыл бұрын
Oh man you summoned, Shad... He's comming! I can sense the disturbance in the Force!
@Prophetbunny12 жыл бұрын
In regards to the comment about the Gnome hooked hammer being possibly useful on a longer weapon, check out the Kroot rifles from Warhammer 40k. It's like having two bayonets that are actually scythes.
@ObatongoSensei2 жыл бұрын
All the double weapons in D&D were created with 3rd edition. They had invented this "double" concept for the quarterstaff, to represent when it is used to hit with both ends instead of the historically accurate method to use it as a long, thin, double-handed club. Since they had a quarterstaff functioning as wielding "two clubs in one", it just went downhill from that. So we found ourselves with "double sword", "double axe", "double mace", "gnome pick hammer", "spiked chain", "dire flail" and all the other improbable contraptions that were thrown in that game. Besides, I agree with you: the dwarven ugrosh and the double mace are the only two that could be made into real, functional weapons, although with some tweaking. A curiosity: in 2nd edition d&d there was a dwarven chain weapon which worked much like the 3rd edition spiked chain, but was just a long chain with heavy weights at both ends, not unlike some Japanese weapons. Speaking of masochistic weapons, try giving a look at the starknife from Pathfinder RPG.
@Blokewood32 жыл бұрын
I think the weapon designer must have been a big fan of The Phantom Menace, which came out only a year prior to third edition and introduced the double-bladed lightsaber.
@Erynus2 жыл бұрын
A double quarterstaff is a halfstaff?
@ObatongoSensei2 жыл бұрын
@@Erynus No, it's a quartermess.
@iallman25042 жыл бұрын
Take into account that gnomes are small sizes so to them it is kinda like a pull hammer.
@MrElath2 жыл бұрын
Your comment on the longsword being one handed only actually reminded me of a rule from 3.5, One Handed weapons like the longsword and battleaxe could in fact be wielded with both hands to increase your strength bonus.
@l0stndamned2 жыл бұрын
3.5 had a real obsession with double-ended weapons that made no sense if anyone tried thinking about them. Interesting hearing you talk about the urgosh. I feel it works when you describe it, but not as written in the rules.
@morrigankasa5702 жыл бұрын
You should give D&D a chance. It's very fun and will increase your nerd cred by at least d20 points:)
@Skallagrim2 жыл бұрын
Ain't nobody got time for that. And you really think I'm hurting for nerd cred? :p
@VaguelySynthetic2 жыл бұрын
Dude, Skal is positively ROLLING in need cred
@morrigankasa5702 жыл бұрын
@@Skallagrim You can never have too much Nerd Cred;)
@cornervermelho2 жыл бұрын
5% chance that he will roll a 1
@Drejzer2 жыл бұрын
D&D is a normie system. Going for something else, like GURPS, Savage Worlds or _anything besides D&D_ would also give hipster points. I think. I am not quite sure if I'm using the terms correctly...
@amadhollow6352 жыл бұрын
Skall, I think the quad axe is meant to be a longer shaft than standard pole arms, and used in more of a skinny dancy kind of form. Like caopera but with too many axes If you look at the display drawings of the chains and then look at the guy using them, you can see they made the drawings much longer, which would make more sense, as would most of the weapons of drawn longer than they are
@swissarmyknight4306 Жыл бұрын
@Hatsworthful2 жыл бұрын
I dont remember the exact details but curiously enough in the US rangers (and other forest/park field workers) have double axes with different levels of sharpness on each blade. I forgot what was the exact utility of it but it had something to do with the different types of wood or material they'd need to cut through
@rianfelis31562 жыл бұрын
Both sides are sharp, but with different bevels. One side is a wider bevel for chopping across the grain, and the other side is a narrower bevel for slicing along the grain. The wider bevel makes it tougher, so it can retain a working edge longer against the toughness of chopping through branches or roots or felling a tree. The narrower one is a much more effective slicer, making short work of splitting firewood or rough slicing planks for something.
@cameronwindham88672 жыл бұрын
the dull blade is used to de-bark the cuttable surface of the tree, as that saves the sharp blade from dealing with the more durable bark, its sap, and the dust, dirt and sand that may be caught in the texture of the bark.
@Just-a-Dad-tryin8 ай бұрын
Holy shit I used to watch you in high school and now I’m back again. Def subbing and happy I found you again!!!
@wagnersantos63482 жыл бұрын
Thanks for that, man. You have no idea how badly I wanted this video. As a long time RPG fan, I can only ask for you to rate all the EXOTIC weapon types, because, oh boy, do they have a fertile imagination behind them.
@doctord.ph.d.49862 жыл бұрын
Yeah, that DND 3.5 "rapier" is probably just a typo. Previous edition have had both the rapier and cutlass, and would describe/illustrate them properly.
@TheAngryAsianAnimations2 жыл бұрын
I know you've ranted on two ended weapons but it'd be interesting to see your take on...well...real ones. The Chanchidao or Chinese Cicada Wing Sword (double ended sword). I've also seen it referred to as the Sun Moon Sword. Quiankundao or Chinese Heaven Earth Sword (double ended sword) Langyalian (double ended flail) Crescent Moon Spade or Chinese Monk Spade (which also bears resemblance to the Orc double axe)
@Drejzer2 жыл бұрын
A scythe is an exotic weapon (and thus requires a feat (rather precious character build resource) to use without penalty (and it had one of the best critical multipliers, x4 damage on a crit (so a dream to use for coup de grace builds)) I think scythes were exotic, might have been martial...
@zachfarrellEL2 жыл бұрын
Scythes are indeed martial.
@andreyr36112 жыл бұрын
They are martial in 3,5.
@dynamicworlds12 жыл бұрын
Exotic in NWN. Martial in tabletop.
@Electric9999992 жыл бұрын
Nope, just a martial weapon. Best used by low level wizards for the classic sleep into coup de grace combat (coup de grace being an automatic crit).
@clothar232 жыл бұрын
An exotic weapon....The thing every crap covered peasant started using as a small child. The entirely of central Europe would like a word with you D&D 3rd edition. Do you know how many Knights died at the end of a scythe wield by angry peasants ? If a few rebellious farmers can figure out how to kill people with them why would a trained adventurer need to seek some wizened arms master to learn to do the same ? A Katar or a punch dagger sure but a farming tool. Now they're just taking the piss.
@VMSelvaggio2 жыл бұрын
This was very entertaining, as I've been playing D&D in some variety since 1989.
@simonandriessen87612 жыл бұрын
In dnd (depending on what kind of game you want to play) you want to balance the fantastical with the grounded. That's one of the reasons not all classes have access to magic. Your video is a help in making a more grounded setting, or building a more grounded character, that uses realistic weapons. Some people like to be that accurate, and bring consequences to dumb weapon designs. I think there's smarter ideas to make weapons that wouldn't be viable in reality. For example, a cursed weapon that has a spiked handle that pieces your skin and drinks your blood can be great is it grants you power through magic and you have healing on standby. No way that would work in reality, it's just hurting yourself for no reason without the magic. I'd include the quadruple axe as a training tool, one that might be used in a real battle as a weapon of opportunity, if you have nothing else. Very informative and entertaining. Keep it up!
@flyingninja12342 жыл бұрын
My theory on the two bladed sword in 3.0, is that The Phantom Menace came out in 1999 a year prior to 3.0's release.
@riftdancer13492 жыл бұрын
A character I was running used a Spiked Chain that had an enchantment on it to look like a feather boa. I also took Monkey Grip and increased the size of the weapon. The DM loved this idea. So he made a house rule that my first attack in combat, regardless of position, would always count as a sneak attack. As long as my opponent didn't see me using it as a weapon, or the opponent didn't have an ability to see through my devious deception. Because who would dodge a bunch of feathers? Quick Edit: The class was the Jester from the Dragon Magazine Compendium, so incase you were thinking I was a Half-Orc, this was not the case. Thought it would have been hilarious.
@-Devy-2 жыл бұрын
Serious cringe, bruh.
@CrizzyEyes Жыл бұрын
@@-Devy- Being ashamed of your hobbies is pretty cringe, bruh
@punishedwhispers1218 Жыл бұрын
You can do that without homebrew by taking Flick of the Wrist
@Varizen872 жыл бұрын
Skall, I believe your defense when dual wielding flails is that you look so insane, no reasonable person would come near you, thus, by extension, you have extremely high defense and evasion.
@clbaker8356 Жыл бұрын
Enjoying your videos. Highly informative and presented in an entertaining way. Well done.
@jamesedwards11642 жыл бұрын
Mechanically the in game advantages of double weapons is that they work under dual wielding rules & mitigate some of the challenges; dual wielding always incurs some penalty to your attack roll in exchange for making more attacks per turn. The penalties are at their lowest while wielding a "light" weapon(dagger, kukri, sickle) in your off hand. However, light weapons do less damage(typically 1d4) compared to "one-handed" weapons(long/arming swords, scimitars) that'll do 1d8 usually, though there are some that do a d6 or even a d10 in damage. Double weapons(for the most part, there are exceptions) balance this out by both heads of the weapon doing the same damage die, typically a d8, while incurring penalties as if the offhand weapon were light weight. In addition, a lot of feats & class abilities that improve combat performance do so with one specific type of weapon- weapon focus, weapon specialization, improved critical, etcetera. So if you're dual wielding & want to benefit from those, you either need to incur greater penalties to hit for fighting with an oversized weapon in your off hand, settle for lower damage dice & use a light weapon in each hand, or use a double weapon- which does usually incur a feat penalty to get proficient in, though some races come with proficiency in them(orcs/half orcs usually get the double axe, elves usually get the double sword). Though sometimes the advantage of the double weapon is that the two heads do different types of damage; weapon damage in d&d is divided into bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing. The dwarven urgosh, for example, does slashing with the axe head & piercing with the spike, obviously. Though if I recall the two also usually do different damage dice. In this case you're probably *not* going to be dual wielding the two ends but rather mainly just using the axe head as a two-handed weapon & switching to the spike when up against something resistant to slashing damage, without having to buy & carry a second weapon & waste actions switching between the two in combat. Which brings up another advantage of double weapons; sometimes you have a monster with a damage reduction" rating which is the amount of damage from any one attack it ignores. There are various ways to bypass it; "DR 5/silver" means that the monster is going to ignore the first 5 points of damage from any weapon or physical attack not made with a silver weapon. If you don't have a silver weapon, the best way to deal with DR is to make sure your attacks are doing significant damage above the DR threshold. One-handed weapons can be swung with both hands to add extra strength damage, but light weapons can't. Importantly, double weapons *can* be used this way, so when confronted with a monster that's best fought with fewer, harder hitting attacks rather than a multitude of less damaging attacks, double weapons provide the benefit of being able to do that seamlessly without dropping or sheathing your off hand weapon. Now, physically how you're holding a double weapon to do that without stabbing yourself, I don't know, but mechanically in game the double weapon option has a lot of upsides, at least in 3.5 & related editions.
@KnightsWithoutATable2 жыл бұрын
The double axe only exists because of it being in an episode of Star Trek: the Next Generation in the first season.
@esquiremadhatter37052 жыл бұрын
The longsword in dnd actually is a hand and a half weapon, due to it's "versatile" trait it can be used with either one or two hands
@ZenoDovahkiin2 жыл бұрын
That's a new feature. Historically, D&D has used "longsword" to mean arming sword for decades and has contributed in large parts to the perception of longswords being one handed.
@Renesh22 жыл бұрын
@@ZenoDovahkiin Even in 3.5 longswords were one-handed weapons which specifically had the option of being used in two hands, so it's really not recent. It's just that in a two-hander build a longsword is a poor choice compared to a greatsword, so they basically were only ever used one-handed in a sword-and-board build.
@Capnsensible802 жыл бұрын
19:20 There's also this to consider: If orcs are stronger, you don't need to double down on strength. An orc with a tradition axe would be much more agile than a human with the same. Same weapon, but a more agile and stronger user may be better than ignoring agility and doubling down on strength.
@bcn1gh7h4wk Жыл бұрын
6:00 depends on how you build the character. I have a rusher build whose main weapon is a hammer, but can also equip a spear (though without most of the abilities of an actual spear master), *and,* rush and sprint for short distances. won't trump anyone with a bow or crossbow, or powerful mid-range magic, but does have some maneuvering capabilities other than being a small armored potato. 10:00 ....then it's just a bat'leth.
@paladinslash47212 жыл бұрын
The worst part about the spiked chain. It was the best weapon in 3.5
@Y2KNW2 жыл бұрын
The chain and Combat Reflexes meant you got to be a massive threat on the field. Be a fighter/rogue and have all kinds of fun driving the DM up the wall because there's no way to know where you're gonna sneak attack from next.
@paladinslash47212 жыл бұрын
@@Y2KNW IRC you take combat reflexes and improved trip. Use your AoOs to trip, get your free extra attack from improved trip. And if they get up you make an AoO and the cycle begins again. Ok I looked up the build and it also involved the vexing flank, deft opportunist, adaptable flanker, vae school feats
@Scugzerker Жыл бұрын
Maybe the scythe isn't the best weapon of choice, but it sure is really intimidating.
@Kualinar2 жыл бұрын
One problem with weapons in D&D is their weight. When compared with real life equivalent weapons, those in D&D are at least twice as heavy, and up to 10 or even more times to heavy. Same goes for the armours... That «rapier» looks a lot like a cutlass or possibly a machete fitted with a guard. The Gnome hooked hammer is dangerous to the user. The dire flail is another weapon that is dangerous for the user...
@NevisYsbryd2 жыл бұрын
Oddly, a lot of their weapons and armor are almost exactly 1.5x their average historical weights.
@victorwaddell65302 жыл бұрын
In original AD&D items were rated by encumbrance, which had little to do with their actual weight in ounces or pounds . For Instance , a bow with it's quiver and arrows weighs the same as an equal weight of rations or coins . But a bow is more difficult to carry because of it's length , and the fact that it requires carrying in the hand for a longbow , or a in a scabbard in the case of a short bow . The issue is compactness of gear . For instance , It's easier to carry a modern carbine and 240 rounds of ammo in eight 30 round magazines in a chest pouch than carry a modern compound bow and 240 arrows in twenty quivers of 12 hanging all around your person . In this vein of thought , I believe the most underrated D&D ranged weapon is the simple sling with lead shot . The slingshot is zero encumbrance .One pound of cheap lead equals sixteen or so projectiles . And even peasant troops can use them to effect . If lead shot runs out smooth stones can be used . What's not to like about the simple sling ?
@Kualinar2 жыл бұрын
@@victorwaddell6530 AD&D weight (average historical weight) Hand axe : 5 pounds ( 2 pounds) Battle axe : 7.5 pounds (about 2 pounds) Short word : 3.5 pounds ( about 1.5 pound) Mace : 10 pounds (2 to 3 pounds) Military hammer : 5 pounds (2 pounds) Also, 10 coins = 1 pound. NO coin that heavy where ever minted in human History.
@rogerwilco22 жыл бұрын
You just look like my last D&D character. Looking forward to your scythe video. I have used them and think they are a pretty scary weapon, as far as implements not designed for combat go.
@0num42 жыл бұрын
Great video, Skall! If you're ever interested, you're welcome at my table online--last time we spoke was after your bicycle injury, with Mr. Drofseh. Open invite, sir! The switch from D&D 2e to 3e/3.5e really jumped the shark with silly weapons. 2e had loads of them, overload really, with every possible variation of a polearm I've ever seen; ranseur, glaive, guisarme, glaive/guisarme, halberd, bill, bill/hook, etc. The list was quite long by the time 3e came around. It's like they tried to pack all of the variations of 2e's weapons onto as few 3e weapons as they could. One thing 5th edition did is simplify the overall list of what was available, at least--no crazy Dire Flails or Dwarven Whatthefucks, even if they may have oversimplified.
@itzybitzyspyder2 жыл бұрын
Dungeons & Dragons!
@douglasbaker45622 жыл бұрын
There is one ONE Double-Sided weapon that makes total sense to me: The Quarter Staff. Note: I've been playing D&D since 1980-ish. (I'm SO old...My first teacher was Mrs. Dino Saur. )
@shawnnerenberg6612 жыл бұрын
Did you lug all the manuals to games in an adidas bag?
@douglasbaker45622 жыл бұрын
@@shawnnerenberg661 Sorta. It was just a no-name day-pack.
@pokemon18952 жыл бұрын
I saw the 3e thumbnail and had to hop on. I still play 3.5. Never moved to 5e.
@TheElectronMage2 жыл бұрын
The correct decision. Strict adherence to ze rules is having ze fun!
@kallisto91662 жыл бұрын
What is this new fangled 3e of which you speak? THAC0 lives on in my campaign!
@mikelazure74622 жыл бұрын
You always provide ideas that help the martial stuff in what I write - even when being an overmentalizing Richard Cranium. Keep it up Skall.
@alphabetbeer2 жыл бұрын
My D&D game in college used to make fun of the Orcish Double Ax all the time. Best we could figure, the only way to fight with it is to get a wide grip, hold it parallel to the ground, tuck your elbows in, and madly fist pump like you're on a rowing machine. Then you just wade into combat like some kind of rave club thresher.
@Vyrlokar2 жыл бұрын
If you are an orc and are stronger for your size than a human, just add a little extra length to the shaft of the two handed axe, for minimal weight increase you will gain a lot extra damage (since it's a lever) and som reach.
@Skallagrim2 жыл бұрын
Like I explained in the video, putting an extra axe head on the other end doesn't help even if you have the strength to wield it. The mass needs to be on ONE end for maximum impact force... you know, like a regular axe.
@Dougerro2 жыл бұрын
Love Baldurs Gate and Icewind Dale with common simple weapons
@punishedwhispers1218 Жыл бұрын
Nu-WoTC paypig spotted
@odegrar2 жыл бұрын
When he said DnD weapons from 3.5 I knew this was going to be quickly heading into the realm of comedy
@Tennouseijin2 жыл бұрын
5:14 I find it a bit odd that - the one on the left - has those metal reinforcements and knobs, but they only seem to serve a structural function (keeping the wood from splitting) and maybe add some weight, but you're still supposed to hit with the rounded wooden part. I would think if someone goes through the effort of adding knobs and metal to a club, they'd add studs or spikes on the bit that hits people. But maybe I'm missing something.
@Tennouseijin2 жыл бұрын
Also, today I learned that hangers are not always wall-hangers, but can be functional weapons too.
@achimsinn6189 Жыл бұрын
Designwise I would prefer the chain over those double-somethings. Mainly because I could imagine a martial arts master hero like a monk weild that in an elegant and efficient way, but those doubleweapons - I really couldn't imagine them being used well outside of spinning them around over your head for showboating.
@michaelkrinsky35822 жыл бұрын
Amassing more nerd cred? HA! Skall's work in this field is unparalleled! Great job picking apart the double weapons (I never liked them), as well as the illustrations of the rapier and heavy lance. Thanks again for another great video!
@Whiteharlekin2 жыл бұрын
I Love the effourt you put in the analysis.
@NerdJourneys2 жыл бұрын
That "I used to be an adventurer like you" aside you pulled out randomly made me laugh so loud!
@MsKeylas2 жыл бұрын
10:01 well considering that gnomes are even shorter than dwarves they Do tend to use this weapon as a double weapon
@bboy22782 жыл бұрын
Enjoyed your call on most of these. Have to point out that Gnome hooked hammer is a Polearm to a Gnome who is 3'3"ft Tall.
@hampuskullberg99322 жыл бұрын
The double axe makes perfect sense as an orc weapon. The question is just if they are using unpractical weapons because they are less intelligent or if they are less intelligent from using less practical weapons (and thereby repeatedly hitting themselves in the head with the unwieldy weapon).