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Originally posted by antryg:
Regarding my question. I thought that only a monk could use shuriken or kama unless you use a skill slot.
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Yes, you need to take the feat Exotic Weapon Proficiency. That means using up a feat to use the kama (or the kukri, as SpiritWarrior suggested). If you have the feats to spare, go ahead. Otherwise, stick with the dagger.
Quote:
Originally posted by antryg:
Apendix A (page 171 in the manual) says that short sword is a small weapon, so a halfling should be able to use it one handed.
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Yes, you can use the short sword one handed. You just can't take the Weapon Finesse feat with it (since it is not one size smaller than you are). Since you get -2 to strength as a halfling (with correspondingly lower attack and damage bonuses), but get a +2 to dexterity (with Weapon Finesse, this gives you a higher attack roll with a light weapon), it is to your advantage to take Weapon Finesse. You don't NEED to, but it doesn't hurt. So, if you want to use a short sword, go right ahead; you just can't take Weapon Finesse with it. In the long run, go with whatever you envision your character using.
Quote:
Originally posted by antryg:
If that is the case, is a (piercing) shortsword better than a (slashing) handaxe? Or is it better to just use a rapier or scimitar as a two-handed weapon?
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The difference between a shortsword and a handaxe is the same difference as the difference between a longsword and a battleaxe. The sword has a critical range of 19-20/x2, while the axe has a critical range of 20/x3. The sword will critical more often, but for less damage, while the axe will critical less often, but when it does it will hit for more damage. Otherwise they have identical damage. Honestly, the difference between piercing and slashing is usually less of an issue than the difference between edged and bludgeoning (creatures like skeletons, etc. are more resistant to edged weapons of all sorts). The difference between slashing and piercing comes into play on occasion, but not as often as you might think. Thus, use whichever one you want, it you are trying to choose between the shortsword and handaxe.
Personally, I would use a one-handed weapon and use a shield. Since it is just you and at most one other henchman, the extra defense will reap dividends.
Quote:
Originally posted by antryg:
Which would be the better bludgeoning weapon, a mace, hammer (either light or war), or a club. I realize that the warhammer and club would be a two-handed weapon for my size.
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The mace is the clear winner. You can use it one handed as a halfling and it does a whopping 1d8 damage (a lot, considering the type of weapons you can use). It only has a critical range of 20/x2, but creatures like skeletons are immune to critical hits anyway.