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.

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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
Drawings of Simple Melee weapons in D&D, like a club, dagger, and hand axe.
Simple Melee weapons in D&D- POLAR ENGINE, JOHN GRELLO, MICHAEL BROUSSARD – Wizards of the Coast

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.

A blacksmith crafts a simple weapon at an anvil while a fireplace roars in the background.
Blacksmith’s Skill – Jason A. Engle – Wizards of the Coast

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.

Mike Bernier

Mike Bernier is the lead content writer and founder of Arcane Eye. He is a Adamantine best-selling author of Strixhaven: A Syllabus of Sorcery on DMs Guild and is a contributing author at D&D Beyond. Follow Mike on Twitter.

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