Simple Weapons 5e (Updated for the 2024 Rules)
Published on October 2, 2024
Explore how simplicity can sometimes be best with our Simple weapons guide for D&D 5e, featuring optimization tips for Druids, Monks, and more.
Mitchell Malloy - Wizards of the Coast - Marauder's Axe
Looking for the legacy version of this article based on the 2014 rules? Click here.
Table of Contents
Simple Weapons Updates in 2024 Rules
Simple weapons are quite similar in the 2024 Player’s Handbook compared to their previous incarnations. The biggest change to these effective tools can be found in the Weapon Mastery feature, which drastically impacts the way weapons work in D&D. Which Simple weapons have been made even better? Let’s take a look!
What Are Simple Weapons in 5e?
Simple weapons in D&D 5e are characterized by their ease of use and accessibility. They are the basic armaments that any character can wield effectively, regardless of their class or skill level. Unlike Martial weapons, which often require specialized training, Simple weapons are the go-to choice for characters who are not primarily combat-focused, such as spellcasters or support roles.
Here is a list of Simple weapons from the 2024 D&D Free Rules:
Weapon | Cost | Damage | Weight | Properties | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Club | 1 sp | 1d4 bludgeoning | 2 lb. | Light, Slow | Simple Melee |
Dagger | 2 gp | 1d4 piercing | 1 lb. | Finesse, Light, Thrown, Nick | Simple Melee |
Greatclub | 2 sp | 1d8 bludgeoning | 10 lb. | Two-Handed, Push | Simple Melee |
Handaxe | 5 gp | 1d6 slashing | 2 lb. | Light, Thrown, Vex | Simple Melee |
Javelin | 5 sp | 1d6 piercing | 2 lb. | Thrown, Javelin | Simple Melee |
Light Hammer | 2 gp | 1d4 bludgeoning | 2 lb. | Light, Thrown, Nick | Simple Melee |
Mace | 5 gp | 1d6 bludgeoning | 4 lb. | Sap | Simple Melee |
Quarterstaff | 2 sp | 1d6 bludgeoning | 4 lb. | Versatile (1d8), Topple | Simple Melee |
Sickle | 1 gp | 1d4 slashing | 2 lb. | Light, Nick | Simple Melee |
Spear | 1 gp | 1d6 piercing | 3 lb. | Thrown, Versatile (1d8), Sap | Simple Melee |
Light Crossbow | 25 gp | 1d8 piercing | 5 lb. | Ammunition (range 80/320), Loading, Two-Handed, Slow | Simple Ranged |
Dart | 5 cp | 1d4 piercing | 1/4 lb. | Finesse, Thrown, Vex | Simple Ranged |
Shortbow | 25 gp | 1d6 piercing | 2 lb. | Ammunition (range 80/320), Two-Handed, Vex | Simple Ranged |
Sling | 1 sp | 1d4 bludgeoning | – | Ammunition (range 30/120), Slow | Simple Ranged |
Simple Weapons Vs. Martial Weapons
The primary difference between Simple and Martial weapons lies in their ease of use and damage potential. Simple weapons are available to any class, even if they’re not built with weapons in mind, like Wizards. They are also quite a bit cheaper than their martial counterparts.
On the other hand, Martial weapons typically offer higher damage outputs and more diverse combat features but require specific proficiencies granted by your class, subclass, race, or feats.
Who Can Use Simple Weapons?
In the 2024 Player’s Handbook, every class can use every Simple weapon. In its previous iteration, some classes (like Sorcerer, Warlocks, and Wizards) could only use certain Simple weapons (Daggers, Darts, Slings, Quarterstaffs, Light Crossbows). Now, your Wizard can pick up a Greatclub and try to bonk your opponents if you so choose.
The 4 Best Simple Weapons
The best simple weapon depends on your build, but generally, these are the highest-performing Simple weapons. These weapons can usually stand on their own, even when compared to Martial weapons, because of certain mechanics that allow them to excel:
1. Quarterstaff
The reigning king of Simple weapons. This Simple weapon deals 1d6 Bludgeoning damage (but can output 1d8 damage if you wield it with two hands), works with Polearm Master, and is a classic choice for Monks. The reason this slightly outranks the Spear, even though the Spear has the Thrown property, is it enables Shillelagh builds (discussed further down) and works with the Crusher feat, which is slightly better than the Spear’s Piercer feat. It’s also cheaper, at 2 SP, compared to the Spear’s 1 GP.
To add to the Quarterstaff’s power, it gets the Topple mastery property in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. This property, if you choose to learn it with the Weapon Mastery feature, allows you to attempt to knock an enemy Prone each time you hit them. This can be an insane strategic advantage, especially if you have other martial characters in your party that can then attack the Prone creature with Advantage.
2. Spear
The runner-up by a hair. The Spear is another solid Simple weapon that has the Versatile property and can be used with Polearm Master. If you do want to use the spear’s Thrown property, I recommend buying a couple to keep on hand so you’re not left without a weapon after your Spear misses and sails over the edge of a cliff.
Spears have the Sap property in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, which is an okay option. It gives an enemy you hit Disadvantage on their next attack against you, so it works well on builds that have a high AC, but can struggle against enemies with Multi Attack.
3. Dagger
Daggers are great for infiltration and have the Finesse property, so stealthy Dexterity builds can make good use of them. All in all, most builds will want to have a Dagger tucked in their belt for emergencies.
In the 2024 Player’s Handbook, they have the Nick property, which is hugely powerful for dual-wielding builds.
4. Light Crossbow
These ranged weapons match the damage of Longbows, which are Martial weapons, and can be useful for any ranged build that might not get access to Marital weapon proficiencies. Plus, the restrictions imposed by the Loading property, which only allows you to fire them once in a turn, can easily be negated by the Crossbow Expert feat.
Light Crossbows got the Slow mastery property in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, which reduces an enemies Speed by 10 feet when you hit them with an attack. This is a solid enabler for run-and-gun builds who can stay mobile so their enemies can’t catch them.
Which Builds Work Best With Simple Weapons?
Shillelagh Builds
Druids and some Rangers are prime candidates when it comes to using the Shillelagh cantrip. This spell transforms a simple Club or Quarterstaff into a potent weapon that uses the caster’s Wisdom modifier for attack and damage rolls, bypassing the need for high Strength. Seeing as both Druids and Rangers focus on Wisdom for spellcasting, and they can both access the spell relatively easily (it’s on the Druid’s spell list, which the Ranger can access with the Druidic Warrior benefit), it can be used to make SAD (single-ability dependant) martial casters with potent spellcasting.
Monks
Monks are a prime example of a class that excels with Simple weapons. Their Martial Arts feature allows them to use Simple Melee weapons and Marital Melee weapons that have the Light property as Monk weapons, which means they can apply their Dexterity instead of Strength for attack and damage rolls, among other benefits. This greatly expands the range of weapons that are viable with Monks, allowing them to choose weapons like Spears or Quarterstaffs for throwing options and versatility while still benefiting from their monk abilities.
Ranged Rogues
Rogues don’t gain proficiency with Martial weapons unless they have the Finesse or Light property, so if they want to go for a ranged build, they usually have to opt for a Shortbow or a Light crossbow. In the Rogue’s case, the crossbow is usually best because it deals more damage and the Loading property doesn’t get in the rogue’s way because they only get one attack per turn.
Crafting Simple Weapons
The 2024 Player’s Handbook introduces crafting, which allows you to create mundane items, as well as Potions of Healing and Spell Scrolls, if you have proficiency with certain tools. Crafting an item requires raw materials worth half its purchase cost and a number of days equal to its purchase cost divided by 10 (round a frack up to a day). Here’s a list of Simple weapons you can craft and how much time it takes.
Item | Tool Proficiency | Crafting Cost | Crafting Time |
---|---|---|---|
Club | Carpenter’s Tools or Woodcarver’s Tools | 5 CP | 1 day |
Greatclub | Carpenter’s Tools or Woodcarver’s Tools | 1 SP | 1 day |
Quarterstaff | Carpenter’s Tools or Woodcarver’s Tools | 1 SP | 1 day |
Sling | Leatherworker’s Tools | 5 CP | 1 day |
Dart | Wood Carver’s Tools | 2 CP | 1 day |
Light Crossbow | Wood Carver’s Tools | 12 GP | 3 days |
Shortbow | Wood Carver’s Tools | 12 GP | 3 days |
If you have the Crafter feat, you can also craft a Club, Greatclub, or Quarterstaff at the end of a Long Rest. But, items crafted this way will fall apart at the end your next Long Rest.
Embracing the Simplicity
Simple weapons in D&D 5e may not be as tough and scary as marital weapons, but they offer a unique blend of accessibility, versatility, and strategic depth. Whether you’re a spellcaster needing a backup option, a rogue looking for a reliable weapon to stash up their sleeve, or a druid looking to club down some pro-oil lobbyists, these arms can be just what you need for your weapon attacks.
They are a testament to the idea that, sometimes, simplicity is the key.