A light weapon is one that is at least one size category smaller than its wielder. When a light weapon is wielded in the off-hand, the penalties for dual-wielding are reduced.
The off-hand side of a double-sided weapon is considered light, despite the size of the weapon as a whole.
Notes[]
- Most player races are medium-sized. For these races, there is a strong correspondence between the standard light weapons and finessable weapons. However, these are two different concepts.
- The weapon finesse feat operates for the weapons in the weapon finesse list. The size of the wielder is not a factor, with one exception: two-handed weapons (e.g. rapiers wielded by small characters) cannot be finessed. It is possible for a small creature to finesse a small weapon, even though the weapon is not light.
- The weapon finesse feat only operates for the weapons in the weapon finesse list. The size of the wielder is not a factor. It is not possible for a large creature to finesse a medium weapon—other than a rapier—even though the weapon is light.
- The weapon finesse feat only operates for the weapons in the weapon finesse list. The size of the weapon is not a factor. Custom content allows new types of weapons to be used in the game. These new weapon types cannot be finessed. However, they can be light, resulting in reduced dual-wielding penalties.
- Daggers and kukris are the only standard tiny melee weapons, so they are the only light weapons for gnomes and halflings.