In a game with as many weapon options as Dungeons & Dragons, it is a sad fact that some will end up overlooked in favor of others. Whether through familiarity or wanting to mimic something the player has seen, several weapons have become old standbys in the game of Dungeons & Dragons. However, weapons outside of that select group deserve appreciation as well.
Weapons combination such as swords for warriors and bows for rangers have become commonplace, and not without good reason. They are fairly simple weapons to visualize on a character, and have very solid combat performance. At the same time, this may cause some players to overlook other viable options in the weapon pool, either due to obscurity or not looking as impressive as a nice, sleek sword at first glance. D&D's weapons can still be improved, but the game's more forgotten weapons have some rewards that many players may not bother to find.
There are a few weapons that have incredible potential that few D&D players have sought to fulfill. These weapons, in the right hands and with proper knowledge, could become incredibly powerful, just like many more popular weapon choices. It all depends on the creativity and ingenuity that D&D is based on.
D&D's Picks Can Be Powerful Piercing Weapons
Dwarves are one of the most famous playable races in not only Dungeons & Dragons, but the fantasy genre in general. However, despite dwarves' strong association with mining, picks don't seem to be a very common choice for them or any other race of adventurer. It's a bit odd, since axes are very popular, yet picks are essentially axes with a narrower head that do piercing damage. Picks may seem like a regular D&D item improvised as a weapon, but a shrewd player can take this underappreciated weapon and make it on par with its bladed cousins.
One good thing about a pick is that it can easily be incorporated into a character's backstory. If a character has a background in mining or physical labor, they could easily have just taken their pickaxe with them on their first adventures, since it's strong enough to make a decent weapon and they already know how to use it. With the pick being a fairly strong piercing weapon, and a bit of a frightening one at that, players could heavily play into those traits. A critical hit-focused build would be excellent for a pick , emphasizing the weapon's ability to strike a single area with incredible force with feats such as Impaling Critical and Bleeding Critical. Making critical hits more exciting is a great way to make D&D's combat more fun, and the pick's fierce design makes it a perfect weapon to use in that regard.
Although the pick no longer has the quadruple damage bonus for critical hits that it had in previous versions of the game, a pick can still be very powerful in the right hands. As one of the strongest piercing melee weapons, it deserves more players willing to give it a shot. An underrated weapon meant for a mighty warrior, a pick can be just as scary as an axe in combat.
Whips in D&D Can Be Versatile Weapons Despite Their Low Damage
Characters such as Simon Belmont and Catwoman have proven that whips can be very cool weapons. However, despite the efforts of these iconic characters, whips are rather underused in Dungeons & Dragons. One reason for this is likely their low damage, on par with a basic dagger. However, for those who can look past that, they will find a weapon reminiscent of D&D's unique exotic weapons from past editions.
Whips are the only ranged melee weapon in 5e that only requires one hand, and the only ranged melee finesse weapon. This makes them perfect for rogues, who will naturally have high Dexterity, while also giving them access to ranged sneak attacks to give the whip a nice damage bonus. In addition, whips can be used to trip and tie up opponents. With DM permission, creative players could even use their whip as a lasso to tie things up or swing across gaps like Indiana Jones himself. A resourceful player can use the whip as a tool as well as a weapon, so a dedicated whip character could make for an excellent ing member of the party while wielding a powerful D&D weapon with low carry weight.
A whip-wielding character can be a very distinctive and fun addition to a party. Whether they're a suave, resourceful rogue, a duelist with eccentric taste, or anything else, they add a nice bit of flavor to a party. Given how useful whips can be, they're definitely worth trying for an experiment or two.
The Trident In D&D Can Be More Than Just A Fancy Spear
At first glance, there isn't much that's special about a trident in Dungeons & Dragons. It has the same range and damage as a spear, but is heavier and more expensive. While it would make a good thematic weapon for a character themed after Aquaman or Triton, it doesn't seem to be good for much else. However, this does not mean that the trident should simply be cast aside. Aquatic Dungeons & Dragons characters and land-dwellers alike can find a use for this distinctive weapon.
A trident can provide excellent character for its . If a character has a background as a fisherman, they could take one of their old fishing tools into battle, spearing enemies like the fish they hunt. In addition, a permissive DM could also open up even more opportunities for a trident-wielding character. The prongs could be used to catch the weapons of enemies and disarm them. A larger-two-handed trident could be used to give a character a unique fighting style. For example, a monk could use it much like a quarterstaff, fighting with both offense and defense. It is a weapon whose main value comes from the creativity of the player and how they weave it into storytelling.
In many ways, the trident is just a heavier, more expensive spear. However, attempting to make seemingly broken D&D character builds is not the sole point of the game. Every player needs to create a character that they like and enjoy playing, and that character may prefer a trident over a spear. Sometimes, a weapon choice is more about personal style than raw power.
Dungeons & Dragons is a canvas for players to create all sorts of characters, and those characters can wield a vast variety of weapons. More diversity in weapon selection creates more interesting combat encounters and party dynamics. By picking up a lesser-used weapon in Dungeons & Dragons, one may end up finding a perfect fit for their new character.
