Of course, they both also have the thrown property, but that is neither a positive or negative property and so has no effect on the damage die. If you look at the light hammer, it is a d4, which follows the rule that one positive property decreases the die size by one. The light property is a positive property that should decrease the value of the die from a d6 to a d4, but it doesn’t. A handaxe, which is a simple melee weapon (starts at d6) has the light property and the thrown property.

Of course, as mentioned earlier, some weapons break that but they are the exception that proves the rule. For each negative property, it increases the die size, like from a d6 to a d8. For each positive property, it decreases the die size, like from a d6 to a d4. These damage die are then increased and decreased in power depending on what properties are given to a weapon. Martial melee weapons begin with a d8 die. Simple melee weapons begin with a d6 die.

There are three important categories to know before you go about creating your weapon: Ranged, Martial Melee, and Simple Melee. Weapons are fairly simple once you strip them down to their components. Of course, no list is complete without also talking about the whip and the net… and that’s all I’ll say on those. We even have useless weapons like the blowgun because… well… Let me know. Why? Well, there’s probably a variety of non-mechanical reasons, like maybe someone has a vendetta against light hammers. Looking at the handaxe and the light hammer, they are the same thing but the light hammer is a lower die. My complaint is more that the weapon list is rather plain and unexciting, and it breaks its own rules for no reason. A rogue may be imagined with a dagger, but how often are they sticking to that and not picking up shortswords or a rapier? You want the bigger weapon damage die that you are proficient in and will let you get all your fun abilities with your class. Their go-to weapon is largely the same because it doesn’t make much sense to change it up. Often, you just see players take the same weapon over and over. Weapons are special, especially in a combat-oriented game like Dungeons & Dragons.

Homebrew rules weapons 5e