Weapons List

I've built a spreadsheet with weapons data, originally intended for C&C. I figured I'd post the key points here as a musing.

PRINCIPLES

Names. One particular weapon in C&C may stand for several real-world items. For example, a morningstar could be mechanically described as a mace. A machete, messer, or other single edge blade might be represented by the same item. If you don't like the idea of using a trident, call it a military fork or steel spear.

Skill Level. Basic weapons can be used by anyone. Martial weapons require some training. Simple weapons are somewhere in between. See the Weapons Allowed table for info. The purpose of this is to give more martially oriented classes more, better weapons choices. The cleric gets to choose their spells, so they have fewer weapons options available to them than the fighter, who only gets to pick his weapon.

Category. Weapons are categorized as light, one handed, or two handed. These are their BASIC characteristics.
Light Weapons (EV 1, base damage 1d4, finessable)
One Handed Weapons (EV 2, base damage 1d6)
Two Handed Weapons (EV 3, base damage 1d10, reach)

Cost. Expressed in gold pieces. Some weapons are free and can be scavenged. Note that cost is not really a significant balancing factor beyond the lowest levels except for arming large bodies of men, unless you allow magic items to be bought by using some sort of multiple of the base cost.

Type. This is how the weapon inflicts harm: Piercing, slashing, or bludgeoning.

EV. The encumbarance value of the item. (NOTE - I would reskin this based on STONES).

Damage. The amount of damage done by the weapon.

Range. For hurled and missile weapons, this is the range increment. For each multiple of the range increment, a -2 penalty is imposed. Maximum range is 5 x Range Increment.

Family. Weapons are organized into groups with shared characteristics. For example, all maces are good against heavy armor.

Ability. Some weapons may differ from the norm or have a special ability.

Space Required. If you must know the space required (radius) to use the weapon, use these guidelines: Piercing polearms such as spears or pikes require 1' regardless of size/length. Multiply the EV of the weapon by 2 in most cases. Multiply the EV of the weapon by 1 if it needs less space or is fast (single edge blades?). Multiply the EV of the weapon by 3 if it is very unwieldy (flails, whip).

SUGGESTIONS: Pick a weapon that thematically appeals to you. All weapons within the types have been balanced against each other. That is, all simple weapons are roughly balanced and are of similar "power." In the long run, a mace will be as useful as a spear, so it is really personal preference. Choose whichever weapon appeals most to you!

Martial weapons are usually superior to simple weapons. Warriors with high STR/CON may be able to select and carry multiple weapons in order to gain a tactical advantage. For example, a paladin may use his horseman's mace against heavily armored foes but then switch to his sword to finish off enemies wearing lighter armor.\

GUIDE TO WEAPON FAMILIES

Clubs & Staves. Clubs and staves are free and easily improvised .
Generally, these are poor weapons. But they can be used by anyone and are cheap. Ideal for peasant levies or characters who must scavenge for weapons.

Maces. All maces are +1 to hit foes in heavy armor.
This is your entry level bludgeoning weapon. Little more than a weighted club, a mace is nothing fancy but quite effective against skeletons, plate-mail clad knights, and other heavily armored creatures. Mounted characters benefit from the horseman's version.

Hammers. +2 to hit foes in heavy armor
Hammers are an upgrade to maces. They are the best anti-armor weapons.

Flails. +1 to hit foes in heavy armor; +1 bonus on any check to trip or disarm a foe
Also an upgrade over a simple mace, the flail trades some of the armor penetration of a hammer for tactical options. Knights may appreciate the horseman's version. Flails require a lot of space; this is good if you want to control an area but bad if you fight in formation.

1 Edge Blades. +1 to hit foes with no armor or light armor
The entry level bladed weapon. These weapons are crude but effective against foes who lack armor protection.

Swords. +1 to hit foes with no armor or light armor; Swords also do extra damage
An upgrade compared to Single Edged Bladed weapons, swords are highly versatile. The bonus to damage is useful all the time. Any warrior is safe selecting a blade.

Axes. +1 to hit foes with no armor or light armor; On a "20" to hit, axes score a critical threat (2x).
Axes are also an upgrade to Single Edged weapons. Warriors with many bonuses to damage -- as from high strength -- will benefit greatly from the occasional "critical" hit. Use a STR check to confirm a critical for double damage! If the STR check fails, the axe instead does maximum damage. This makes axes the ideal weapon for a berserker type character.

Spears. Spears deal 2x damage vs. charging foes; -1 penalty to hit vs. heavy armor.
Spears are an ancient and effective weapon. They excel at forcing foes to keep their distance, but are not so effective against heavier armors.

Picks. +2 bonus vs. heavy armor; very similar to hammers but less variation in damage dealt
Picks are similar in many ways to hammers. The damage dealt is comparable but is less random. Mounted warriors may appreciate the horseman's version!

Lances. Lances deal double damage on a mounted charge
Any mounted character -- especially those with high strength or knights -- can make good use of a lance. They are somewhat useful as polearms dismounted.

Advanced Polearms. Various effects, including 2x damage vs. chargers and bonuses to trip/disarm foes.
These are generally variations on spears. They will keep foes at a distance. Some are designed to unhorse knights or tear weapons out of hands.

Hurled Weapons. Hurled weapons are light, and one can carry two per assigned EV
Darts or javelins have been used since ancient times by skirmishers to soften up enemies before entering melee.

Slings. +1 damage vs. large foes; May add STR bonus to damage
David may have slain Goliath with a sling, but most characters will find them to be the least effective of the missile weapons. They are widely available however.

Crossbows. Crossbows require about 1/2 round to reload; one can only move 5' if reloading and firing in same round
Crossbows are ideal for characters with low STR, or for those who want a ranged option but have little martial training.

Bows. Bows are capable of volley fire, firing multiple shots with the two-weapon fighting penalties.
While they require years of training, bows are the best ranged weapons available.

I have this info in spreadsheet form; post a comment with your email address if you want the nicely formatted spreadsheet!

		CAT	TYPE	COST	EV	DAM	RANGE	ABILITY
BASIC WEAPONS
	Clubs & Staves	All clubs and staves are free and easily improvised
	Club	LT	B	0	2	1d4	10
	Staff	1H	B	0	4	1d6
	Quarterstaff	2H	B	0	6	1d6		Reach; Can be dual-wielded at -3/-6
	Single Edged Blades	+1 to hit vs. foes with no armor or light armor
	Dagger/Knife/Sickle	LT	P/S	2	1	1d4	10
	Slings	+1 damage vs. large foes; May add STR bonus to damage
	Sling	LT	B	1	1	1d4	50	Cost includes bullets... free if using stones: -1 damage
	Staff Sling	1H	B	5	5	1d6	50	Arc trajectory - Cannot hit foes in first range increment
SIMPLE WEAPONS
	Maces	All maces are +1 to hit foes in heavy armor
	Horseman's Mace	LT	B	5	2	1d4		+1 to hit when used mounted
	Footman's Mace	1H	B	10	4	1d6
	Heavy Mace	2H	B	25	6	1d10		Reach
	Single Edged Blades	+1 to hit foes with no armor or light armor
	Machete/Messer/Scimitar	1H	S	5	3	1d6
	Voulge/Bill/Bardiche/Glaive	2H	S	10	5	1d10		Reach
	Spears	Spears deal 2x damage vs. charging foes; -1 penalty to hit vs. heavy armor; only 1' space required
	Short Spear	LT	P	1	1	1d4	20	Considered 1H for dual-wielding purposes
	Spear	1H	P	3	3	1d6	10
	Long Spear	2H	P	5	5	1d10		Reach
	Hurled Weapons	Hurled weapons are light and inexpensive, and one can carry two per assigned EV; all sales 2 for 1
	Dart	LT	P	1	1	1d4	20
	Javelin	1H	P	3	3	1d6	30
	Pilum	2H	P	5	5	1d8	20
	Crossbows	Crossbows are slow to reload, limiting the user's mobility and rate of fire
	Light Crossbow	1H	P	35	4	1d6	80	Requires 1/2 action to reload
	Heavy Crossbow	2H	P	100	6	1d10	120	Requires full action to reload
MARTIAL WEAPONS
	Hammers	+2 to hit foes in heavy armor
	Throwing Hammer	LT	B	1	1	1d4	10
	War Hammer	1H	B	5	3	1d6
	Maul	2H	B	10	5	1d10		Reach
	Flails	+1 to hit foes in heavy armor; +1 bonus on checks to trip or disarm a foe; require lots of space to use!
	Horseman's Flail	LT	B	5	2	1d4		+1 to hit when used mounted; Requires ~3' radius
	Footman's Flail	1H	B	10	4	1d6		Requires ~6' radius to use
	Dire Flail	2H	B	15	6	2d4		Reach; Requires ~9' radius to use
	Swords	+1 to hit foes with no armor or light armor; Swords also do extra damage as shown below
	Short Sword	LT	S	10	1	1d6
	Long Sword	1H	S	15	3	1d8
	Great Sword	2H	S	30	5	1d12		Reach
	Axes	+1 to hit foes with no or light armor; On a roll of "natural 20" to hit, axes score a critical threat (2x)
	Throwing Axe	LT	S	5	1	1d4	10
	Battle Axe	1H	S	10	3	1d6
	Danish Axe	2H	S	20	5	1d10		Reach
	Picks	+2 to hit vs. foes in heavy armor; very similar to hammers but less variation in damage dealt
	Horseman's Pick	LT	P	5	2	1d4		+1 to hit when used mounted
	Footman's Pick	1H	P	10	4	1d4+1
	Bec-De-Corbin	2H	P	20	6	1d6+2		Reach
	Lances	Lances deal double damage on a mounted charge
	Lance	1H	P	5	5	1d6		Reach; requires 2H when dismounted
	Heavy Lance	2H	P	10	7	1d10		Reach; Must be mounted on heavy warhorse
	Advanced Polearms	Piercing polearms require only ~1' of space to wield, making them ideal as a second rank weapon
	Trident/Military Fork	1H	P	10	4	1d6		2x damage vs. charge
	Halberd	2H	P/S	10	6	2d4		No reach; 2x damage vs. charge; +2 to Trip
	Ranseur	2H	P	10	6	1d10		Reach; +2 on all Disarm checks
	Guisarme	2H	S	10	6	1d10		Reach; +2 on all Trip checks
	Pike/Partisan	2H	P	10	6	1d10		Reach; 2x damage vs. charge
	Bows	Bows are capable of volley fire, firing multiple shots with the two-weapon fighting penalties
	Shortbow	1H	P	30	3	1d6	60
	Shortbow, Composite	1H	P	75	3	1d6	70	Can be built for high STR
	Longbow	2H	P	75	5	1d8	100	Cannot be used on horseback
	Longbow, Composite	2H	P	100	5	1d8	110	Can be built for high STR
	Unusual Weapons	A grab bag of miscellaneus weapons! All are martial weapons unless otherwise noted.
	Saber	1H	S	15	3	1d6		+1 to hit if mounted; +1 to hit foes with light/no armor
	Crossbow, Hand	Lt	P	100	2	1d4		Requires 1/2 action to reload
	Whip	LT	S	10	2	1d4		Reach; Deals subdual only; +2 to trip/disarm
	Sap	LT	B	1	1	1d4		Deals subdual damage
	Bastard Sword	1H/2H	S	25	4	1d8		Deals 2d4+1 when wielded two handed; +1 vs. light/no
	Open Fist (not monk)	LT	B	0	0	1d2		Deals subdual damage; basic
	Main Gauche	LT	S	25	1	1d4		If TWF, sacrifice off-hand attack for +1 to AC in melee
	Featherstaff	1H	B/S	50	4	1d6		Blades are concealed until use; +2 to Disarm
	Shield, Light	LT	B	c.f.	c.f.	1d3		Lose shield bonus for round if attacking; TWF penalties
	Shield, Heavy	1H	B	c.f.	c.f.	1d4		Lose shield bonus for round if attacking; TWF penalties

Hrm... Looks like the Range and Special ability columns got cut off. Curses on you, Blogger Formatting! Although its likely more just operator error on my part...