11 Best Martial Weapons in D&D 5E

Many of us picture a shield and a sword when we think of a knight in shining armour, and it stands to reason that they would need such martial weapons to defeat a monstrous foe.

Classes like fighters and barbarians are especially well-suited to use weapons of war.

Since these weapons are more complex than the classic “Grab a huge stick, smash on heads,” training is required before they can be used properly.

11. Rapier

Martial Weapons

Classy weapon for those who value damage but also want the option of using a shield, their dexterity, or something else when they realize this one isn’t enough.

  1. One piercing dies out of eight is decent.
  2. Dexterity instead of Strength is used when making attack and damage rolls when using this technique.
  3. Hold something else with your free hand while you use this.
  4. Transform yourself into Zoro!

10. Shortsword

The shortsword is an excellent fighting tool.

The 1d6 cutting damage they inflict makes them look mediocre at best. These nasty boys, however, may be used with both hands.

Two dice’s worth of damage, right there!

Due to their minimal weight and high finesse, they are a great choice for rogues and other dual-wielders.

Take it into consideration when designing your rogue, as they are the prototypical weapon choice for doing “rogue furious damage.”

9. Trident

Tridents are not only incredibly tasty but also incredibly useful.

The versatility of these three-pronged death weapons makes them a great addition to your martial character’s arsenal.

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Tridents have a range of 20/60 and deliver 1d6 piercing damage when thrown, or 1d8 when used up close.

Even if I do say so myself, that’s a really sweet offer.

8. Glaive

As a polearm, glaives are a unique and impressive weapon.

The 5th edition of the game features a class of weapons known as Polearms, effectively bladed sticks.

Since a glave’s blade is curved rather than straight, it may reach far and strike with lethal precision.

And in 5e, glaives are two-handed heavy weapons that need both hands to use well and deal 1d10 cutting damage.

If you get a good roll, that may do some serious harm.

7. Heavy Crossbow

In 5e, crossbows come in two varieties: heavy and portable.

Although the hand crossbow has the advantage of being easy to wield, the heavy variant is preferable due to its greater damage output.

Though it only gives 1d10 damage, the heavy crossbow has another advantage: it may be used effectively at a distance.

This deals significant damage without putting the character in danger.

Keeping track of ammunition is a must, but with a 100/400-yard range, who cares?

It’s not a problem worth worrying about.

6. Pike

Similar to glaives, pikes are classified as polearms.

Compared to glaives, pikes are superior since they are way more badass looking.

And a top wooden staff is a long, thin spike that has an axe attached to it, right below the point.

They appear like a really scary piece of weaponry.

5.0.0 piercing damage from a pike is 1d10 in 5.0.0.

They are long and heavy, like glaives, and you need both hands to use them effectively.

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For these reasons, they’re a great option for hardy classes like paladins and warriors.

5. Halberd

Another type of polearm featured in 5e is the halberd.

Although halberds resemble pikes in that they have an axe head, they do not have a pointed tip like pikes and glaives.

The halberd does 1d10 damage, the same as the two other polearms on this list.

In contrast, they inflict slicing wounds.

Since some zombies are immune to piercing weapons, the uniqueness of halberds gives them an advantage.

Popular zombie-eradication efforts like Curse of Strahd highlight the importance of any tool that can rid the world of the undead.

4. Net

I am throwing you a curveball here: nets.

Although nets don’t inflict any damage on their own, they are one of the most versatile weapons in 5e.

One of the most helpful things a party member can do is throw a net and hope it catches anything.

A net can be thrown at an opponent to contain them.

As a result of being restrained:

  1. One’s movement rate drops to 0 mph.
  2. Those launching attacks have the upper hand.
  3. In addition, the constrained character’s strikes are weaker.

As a result, other party members will have a much simpler time attacking.

All of your arguments hold water, guy.

3. Lance

The lance is another type of polearm.

However, they represent a more accessible variant, particularly for boxers.

The fact that lances can be thrown makes them extraordinary weapons.

Like spears, lances are long and taper to a point at the end, but they also often have additional blades or other weapons attached.

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These have a long-range and deliver 1d12 damage per hit in D&D.

They weigh only 6 pounds yet provide piercing harm.

2. Greataxe

Greataxes are monstrous, massive weapons capable of inflicting incredible harm.

Being so hefty usually limits its use to strong characters like barbarians, paladins, or fighters.

However, great axes are among the game’s heaviest weapons and are particularly effective against the undead because of their 1d12 cutting damage.

You can do some serious damage with a greataxe, especially if your DM allows you to enchant it.

1. Greatswords

One of the greatest features of 5e D&D is the greatsword.

Because of its sheer size, greatswords require both hands to use effectively.

Additionally, they deal 2d6 damage, making the worst possible roll still one of the finest in the game.

No of how the dice fall, you will always take at least two damage, plus any bonuses.

That’s a significant upgrade over the typical weapon.