D&D 5E - Changing Sneak Attack to Light Weapons

This solves the rogues always taking rapiers because-they-are-the-only-d8-finessee-weapon-and-I-can-sneak-attack-with-it issue. Rogues can still use the rapier as a primary weapon if they want the d8 of course, but not sneak attack with it.

I was looking over sneak attack today and it occurred to me that restricting it to finesse weapons (or ranged) is something WotC got wrong IMO. This means that weapons such as a club and handaxe can't be used, but a weapon such as a Rapier (boo-hiss!!!) can. I think the finesse restriction should be light instead for the melee weapon property.

This solves the rogues always taking rapiers because-they-are-the-only-d8-finessee-weapon-and-I-can-sneak-attack-with-it issue. Rogues can still use the rapier as a primary weapon if they want the d8 of course, but not sneak attack with it.

It also stops the double-bladed scimitar for being used on sneak attacks as well.

Currently, the only weapons you can sneak attack (in melee) with are:

  • Dagger
  • Rapier
  • Scimitar
  • Shortsword
  • Whip

Anyway, this would make the list of weapons you can sneak attack with:
  • Club
  • Dagger
  • Handaxe
  • Light Hammer
  • Sickle
  • Scimitar
  • Shortsword

Since a number of these weapons aren't finesse, it lends to building STR-based Rogues for the players who want to. You could have a thug-type rogue who sneak attacks with clubs. :D

For people who like the idea of sneak attacking with a whip, it really should have the light property IMO anyway. Dual-wielding whips was a historic dueling practice and as such it should have the light property so it can be used as the second weapon. Yeah, you can do it with the feat, but again the game is designed around feats being optional. Otherwise, only the scimitar and shortsword are d6 weapons, everything else is a d4.

I know some people have house-ruled rapier to a d6 weapon anyway, but that doesn't help that weapons such as the club and handaxe can't be used for a sneak attack.

Other than responses from the WLR ("We Love Rapiers") club members, any thoughts on this? I think it works better, of course, but I am always open to discussion and curious if others have already made this change.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7prrWqKmlnF6kv6h706GpnpmUqHyktMCnnqKml2LAr7HApGSarKSWsKx506hkpaGXncFuw8Sap6imo2ODeH2VbGpo

 Share!