Question: Simple, Martial, and Exotic Weapons

[Crow]

Can someone explain the difference between these profficiencies and weapons ? and what do they do or is it just the ability to equip ? and how do you get these profficiencies ?

[Ertwin]

You get proficiencies based on your class. Simple weapons can be used by any class, they are things that don't require much training like clubs, staves, spears, and daggers.

Most martial classes get martial weapons proficiencies, which are weapons that require training to use like most swords, warhammers, and axes.

Exotic weapon proficiencies can only be gotten by certain races and a feat. They are unusual weapons that are more difficult to use, and so require further special training ie the feat

[starkmaddness]

They are just weapon categories for proficencies. So if a class starts wtih simple weapons, they are proficient with all weapons in that category. Different classes start with different groups. Fighter starts with martial or example.

You can also get the proficiency by choosing it as a feat. (You get feats during leveling, though not all levels)

If you aren't proficience with a weapon you have -4 to hit. (Bascially never use a non-proficient weapon)

[Crow]

So there are trainers that can train anyone to wield certain weapons ? in short a gnome sorcerer wielding a 2 handed axe ?

or more specific like orc brawlers can learn to wield 2 handed axe ?

also doesnt the profficiency add anything aside from ability to wield ? like for example better damage or crit or something ?

thanks again for answering ^^

[CaptRory]

Every class grants some kind of weapon proficiency. The three broad categories are Simple, Martial, and Exotic.

Simple weapons tend to be fairly cheap, have lowish damage, generally have no special properties, and almost everyone can use them though, at least in the P&P game, some classes only allow a narrower selection than even just Simple.

Martial weapons tend to do more damage and/or have better special effects than Simple. Every fighter-type class grants Martial by default and if you have bonus proficiencies from your race, class, or other it is likely to be from Martial.

Exotic weapons tend to be really unusual weapons. Some are strictly better weapons than others though usually an Exotic weapon just has a specific niche that it fills really well. Exotic weapons can count as Martial for some races, like dwarves count every Exotic Weapon with the word Dwarf in it as a Martial so if you have Martial Weapon Proficiency you can also use the Dwarf Exotics. Usually exotic weapon proficiencies are bought individually; given that feats are a rare commodity that makes Exotics very expensive to build around.

Now, at least in the P&P game you can pick up and use whatever if I'm remembering correctly but you take a penalty to using a weapon that you aren't proficient with.


So let's make an example:

We'll say you roll up an Elf Wizard. Wizards normally have pretty restrictive weapons being limited to a short list and not even having all the Common weapons to pick from. From the Pathfinder Wiki: "Wizards are proficient with the club, dagger, heavy crossbow, light crossbow, and quarterstaff, but not with any type of armor or shield. Armor interferes with a wizard’s movements, which can cause his spells with somatic components to fail."

Elves, however, have proficiencies in Shortbows, Longbows, Rapiers, and Longswords. From the Wiki: "Weapon Familiarity: Elves are proficient with longbows (including composite longbows), longswords, rapiers, and shortbows (including composite shortbows), and treat any weapon with the word “elven” in its name as a martial weapon." This means that an Elf Wizard, in addition to the small selection he gains from being a wizard, also has proficiency in the weapons that elves get.

[Khavi]

Originally posted by Crow:

in short a gnome sorcerer wielding a 2 handed axe ?

Well, a small character's not gonna be able to wield a 2-handed medium weapon, so any dreams of a greataxe wielding gnome are probably premature (that said, Amiri does have an oversized bastard sword so who knows), but a battleaxe is well with in possibility of picking up Weapon Proficiency: Martial as a feat.

The only thing I can't figure out is the Double weapons. There literally doesn't seem to be any way to get Orcish Double Axe or Double Sword proficiency. They're not selectable with Exotic Weapon Prof, and Half-Orcs don't get proficiency in the Orcish Axe despite the text on their racial ability (and IIRC hornbow's not in this game, so that racial ability is probably doing nothing).

[Ertwin]

Originally posted by Crow:

So there are trainers that can train anyone to wield certain weapons ? in short a gnome sorcerer wielding a 2 handed axe ?

or more specific like orc brawlers can learn to wield 2 handed axe ?

also doesnt the profficiency add anything aside from ability to wield ? like for example better damage or crit or something ?

thanks again for answering ^^

There are weapon proficiency feats. I doubt there are trainers