"You see this."

I previously wrote a post regarding d10 pole arms in the hands of Dwarves and Halflings: cutting a pole arm should demote the weapon to its d8 or d6 equivalent.

I’m taking this logic a step further. I don’t think Dwarves and Halflings were intended to wield normal swords. And I think this is part of the class balance that gets lost at many tables, making Fighters less appealing.

People will object. That’s ok. Just bear with me.

“Normal”

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A look at the rules:

Halflings:
“Halflings can use all types of armor, but it must be tailored to their small size. Similarly, they can use any weapon appropriate to their stature (as determined by the referee). They cannot use longbows or two-handed swords.“

So, the Halfling’s weapon restrictions are DM fiat.
Ok, no swords for you, Frodo.

Dwarves:
Dwarves can use all types of armor. Their stature means they can only use small or normal sized weapons. They cannot use longbows or two-handed swords.

Ok. So, first we can note that the same armor you find in the game that fits a human will also fit a dwarf. No special tailoring mentioned. That’s handy.

And b.) Dwarves can “use” a “normal” sword that’s as long as their body. Ok… but why aren’t we applying the same rule that applies to Fighters, Elves and Thieves?

That would be an improvement, but honestly, it still strains credulity. A one-handed d8 sword has a hilt designed for one hand. Anything longer is a bastard sword or a two-handed sword. There’s nowhere to put a second hand:

And this is obvious to everyone including children until they’re taught otherwise. New players almost always ask:

“Do short PCs have to use short swords?”

“No, they can use normal swords, they’re just big, like a human with a two-hand sword.”

And then they go on to use it one-handed. It makes no sense. Proportionately it’s absurd, you’d never let a Fighter swing a sword that big with one hand. So this is my first line in the sand: They shouldn’t be able to use swords at all. They’re too big for one-hand use, and not designed for two-hand use.

But, the RAW says it’s possible. Which brings us to:

Deliberately phrased for adjudication

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“Their stature means they can only use small or normal sized weapons. They cannot use longbows or two-handed swords.“

Do you see the contradiction? It only explicitly forbids longbows and two-handed swords, but it leaves room for 10′ pole arms, 6′ spears that are not normal sized… why?

Because there’s only one way to use a 2H Sword or Long Bow, but there are more ways to use other large weapons in combat. Halflings and Dwarves could set a 10′ d10 pike… but melee with it? If it’s cut, is it now a d6 spear? Is a 6′ spear on a 3′ Halfling the same as a 12′ pike on a 6′ human? Should spears be 2H and slow for Halflings? Quickly we find ourselves in the tall grass on all sorts of if/then questions that would add pages of myopic rules to the system.

So instead, in their wisdom, Tom, Stephen, Zeb, and eventually Gavin all left these phrases open-ended. So a DM can still cleave to the RAW while saying:

“Yeah, you can set a pike and throw a normal spear, but not wield them in melee, they’re not normal size, you’re too short.”
“Yeah, you can use a normal sword, but it takes both hands.”
“Yeah you can cut the d10 pike, but becomes a d6 spear… for throwing.”
“Yeah you can cut the d6 spear, but it becomes a d4 javelin.”

They didn’t write these rules because as DM, you’re expected to have your own opinions on these things. You’re intended to infer and adjudicate.

A clearer martial landscape

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Stipulate that d8 swords were not meant to be used by Dwarves and Halflings… or at very least, stip that they’re slow and two-handed. The entire martial-class picture suddenly snaps into stark focus. The XP thresholds seem a lot more sensible, and FAQs about class balance, battle axes, crossbows, and slow rules are easily answered.

In sum, among martial classes (F/E/D/H):

– The Fighter does d8 damage on their initiative with a normal sword in one hand. With a shield in the other hand and plate armor, they defend the best while dealing that damage. They can hit with 2H d10 weapons, and they can fire past 200′ (+1 to 70′) on their initiative with a long bow. They progress fastest up to 36th level, and swords are the most common magic weapon rolled. So they hit harder, faster, farther, and better for longer. (Elves come close, but d6HD, saves, and 4K XP threshold are hefty tax.)

– Dwarves and Halflings do d6 melee damage on their initiative. They do d8 damage by going last with the battle axe (or ok, double-fisting a sword). They have to give up their shield to use a d8 weapon. D10 pole arms and swords are off limits. Magic short swords, axes, etc are rarer. Short bows can’t hit more than 150′ and only get +1 up to 50′. For more range, they have to act last with the slow crossbow.

That’s a solid stack of perks.

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So that’s my pitch. In sum:
1. Stop throwing out the level limits.
2. Stop throwing out the slow rules.
3. Stop letting cut pole arms do full damage
4. Stop letting short PCs wield body-length weapons one handed; tall PCs can’t do it, it’s not fair.

I think the Fighter will really start to shine if you do this, all without changing any rules, and just by applying the RAW more consistently.

Food for thought at your table, anyway. Cheers.