Martial weapons require specialized training to use effectively. These include professional-grade tools repurposed as weapons, traditional melee weapons, and firearms of all types. In the 1990s, firearms are readily available in America, though legal restrictions vary by state and weapon type.
Proficiency Requirement: Without proficiency in martial weapons, you do not add your proficiency bonus to attack rolls made with these weapons. Firearms particularly benefit from training in their safe and effective use.
Weapon Mastery: Characters with the Weapon Mastery feature can use special properties with their chosen weapons. Each weapon lists its Mastery property. See the reference section at the bottom for details.
Creatures within 60 feet automatically hear this weapon when in use. Cannot be used stealthily.
Fuel
Requires gasoline (10 minutes per gallon, $3 per gallon).
Description: Consumer or professional chainsaw designed for cutting timber. The roaring engine and spinning chain make it terrifying in combat but completely impractical for stealth. Available at hardware stores. Extremely loud and attention-drawing.
Circular Saw (Handheld)
Martial Weapon/Tool
Damage: 1d8 slashing
Cost: $80-250
Weight: 10 lbs
Properties: Two-Handed
Mastery: Graze
Power Cord
Requires electrical outlet or generator. Cord limits movement to 50 feet from power source unless using extension cords.
Loud
Cannot be used stealthily.
Description: Handheld power saw for construction and woodworking. The spinning blade is dangerous but the weapon is awkward and requires power. Available at any hardware store.
Reciprocating Saw (Sawzall)
Martial Weapon/Tool
Damage: 1d6 slashing
Cost: $100-300
Weight: 8 lbs
Properties: Light, Two-Handed
Mastery: Nick
Power Cord
Requires electrical outlet or generator.
Versatile Cutting
Can cut through wood, metal, plastic, and bone with appropriate blades.
Description: Demolition and construction saw with reciprocating blade motion. Less effective as a weapon than rotary saws but extremely versatile for cutting through various materials. The back-and-forth blade motion is less dangerous than spinning blades.
Angle Grinder
Martial Weapon/Tool
Damage: 1d8 slashing
Cost: $60-200
Weight: 6 lbs
Properties: Light
Mastery: Graze
Power Cord
Requires electrical outlet or generator.
Shower of Sparks
When used as a weapon against metallic objects or creatures, creates bright sparks that may ignite flammable materials.
Description: Metalworking tool with high-speed rotating disc. Designed for grinding and cutting metal. Creates dramatic showers of sparks. The small size makes it easier to wield than larger power tools.
Power Drill (Heavy Duty)
Martial Weapon/Tool
Damage: 1d6 piercing
Cost: $80-250
Weight: 5 lbs
Properties: Light
Mastery: Push
Power Cord
Requires electrical outlet or generator (unless cordless battery model).
Drilling
Can bore holes through wood, metal, and other materials. Against creatures, the rotating bit is painful but not particularly lethal compared to other weapons.
Description: Heavy-duty construction drill. While it can be used as a weapon, it's far from ideal—the bit needs to maintain contact and pressure to be effective. More useful as a tool than a weapon.
Must be connected via hose to an air compressor (heavy, stationary equipment). Effectively immobile.
Contact Safety
Has safety mechanism requiring contact with surface to fire. Requires DC 12 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to bypass per shot.
Description: Construction framing nailer powered by compressed air. While dramatic in movies, nail guns are impractical weapons—they require bulky compressor equipment, have contact safeties, and fire relatively low-velocity projectiles designed for wood, not flesh.
Martial Melee Weapons
Machete
Martial Melee Weapon
Damage: 1d6 slashing
Cost: $15-50
Weight: 3 lbs
Properties: Light
Mastery: Nick
Description: Large heavy blade designed for clearing brush and jungle vegetation. Common, cheap, and legal everywhere. Popular in rural areas and among outdoorsmen. The long blade is effective for chopping but not optimized for combat.
Katana
Martial Melee Weapon
Damage: 1d8 slashing
Cost: $50-500 (mall ninja quality) or $1000+ (real)
Weight: 3 lbs
Properties: Versatile (1d10), Finesse
Mastery: Topple
Description: Japanese curved sword. In 1990s America, most "katanas" are cheap decorative wall-hangers from mall knife shops—attractive but not battle-ready. Actual functional katanas are expensive imports or antiques. The curved blade design allows for powerful cutting techniques.
Longsword
Martial Melee Weapon
Damage: 1d8 slashing
Cost: $100-1000+
Weight: 3 lbs
Properties: Versatile (1d10)
Mastery: Sap
Description: European medieval sword with straight, double-edged blade and cruciform crossguard. Can be wielded one or two-handed. In the 1990s, these are typically antiques, expensive replicas for collectors, or SCA combat equipment. Effective but anachronistic—carrying one openly will draw significant attention.
Combat Knife (Ka-Bar)
Martial Melee Weapon
Damage: 1d4 piercing or slashing
Cost: $50-150
Weight: 1 lb
Properties: Light, Finesse, Thrown (range 20/60)
Mastery: Nick
Description: The iconic Ka-Bar fighting knife issued to U.S. Marines since WWII. Features a 7-inch clip-point blade, leather-washer handle, and steel pommel. Designed for combat, utility, and survival. Available at military surplus stores. Carrying one marks you as military or military-adjacent.
Bowie Knife
Martial Melee Weapon
Damage: 1d4 piercing or slashing
Cost: $40-200
Weight: 1 lb
Properties: Light, Finesse, Thrown (range 20/60)
Mastery: Vex
Description: Large American fixed-blade knife with clip-point blade, typically 6-12 inches. Named after Jim Bowie, popularized in American frontier history. Common in hunting and camping contexts. Legal in most states. The large blade is versatile for both utility and combat.
Tomahawk (Tactical)
Martial Melee Weapon
Damage: 1d6 slashing
Cost: $40-120
Weight: 2 lbs
Properties: Light, Thrown (range 20/60)
Mastery: Cleave
Description: Modern tactical version of the traditional Native American axe. Single-bit axe head on wooden or synthetic handle. Popular with outdoorsmen and military personnel. Legal to carry in most contexts. Can be thrown effectively with practice.
Spear (Hunting)
Martial Melee Weapon
Damage: 1d6 piercing
Cost: $30-100
Weight: 4 lbs
Properties: Reach, Thrown (range 20/60)
Mastery: Push
Description: Boar spear or improvised pole weapon consisting of a sharp point mounted on a wooden shaft. Hunting spears typically have crossguards to prevent prey from running up the shaft. The reach advantage keeps dangerous opponents at a distance. Can be improvised from a knife lashed to a pole.
Staff/Bo
Martial Melee Weapon
Damage: 1d6 bludgeoning
Cost: $20-80
Weight: 4 lbs
Properties: Versatile (1d8)
Mastery: Topple
Description: Six-foot hardwood staff, often made from oak, ash, or rattan. Associated with martial arts and traditional weapons training. The simple wooden pole is effective in trained hands for both offense and defense. Legal everywhere and completely non-threatening in appearance. Often used in martial arts dojos.
Fire Axe
Martial Melee Weapon
Damage: 1d8 slashing
Cost: $80-200
Weight: 8 lbs
Properties: Two-Handed, Versatile (1d10)
Mastery: Cleave
Breaching Tool
When attacking objects or structures, this weapon deals double damage.
Description: Firefighter's tool featuring a heavy axe blade on one side and a pick or spike on the other, mounted on a long fiberglass handle. The red handle and head are iconic. Designed for breaking through doors, walls, and roofs during rescue operations. Extremely effective due to weight and dual striking surfaces.
Splitting Maul
Martial Melee Weapon
Damage: 1d10 slashing
Cost: $40-100
Weight: 12 lbs
Properties: Two-Handed, Heavy
Mastery: Topple
Splitting Force
When attacking objects, this weapon deals double damage due to the wedge-shaped head designed to split wood.
Description: Heavy wood-splitting tool with a wedge-shaped head weighing 6-8 pounds. Much heavier than a standard axe, designed to split large logs in a single blow. The weight makes it exhausting to use but generates tremendous force. Common in rural areas where firewood is split by hand.
Description: Standard law enforcement sidearm in the 1990s. The Glock 17 and Beretta 92 are issued to most American police departments and military. Semi-automatic, reliable, and high capacity. 9mm ammunition is cheap and readily available.
Description: Classic American heavy caliber pistol. The 1911 design has been in service since World War I. Heavier recoil and lower capacity than 9mm, but significantly more stopping power. Popular with gun enthusiasts and those who value stopping power over capacity.
Description: Powerful revolver favored by police in previous decades and still popular with civilians. Can also fire .38 Special rounds. The cylinder design is extremely reliable but slow to reload. Iconic appearance in movies and TV. Very loud and produces significant muzzle flash.
.44 Magnum Revolver
Martial Ranged Weapon (Firearm)
Damage: 2d10 piercing
Range: 50/150 ft
Cost: $600-1000
Weight: 4 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (cylinder, 6 rounds), Reload, Heavy
Mastery: Push
Description: The "Dirty Harry" hand cannon. Extremely powerful revolver firing one of the most potent handgun cartridges available. Devastating recoil makes it difficult to shoot accurately without significant practice. Popular with hunters for finishing dangerous game. Massive muzzle blast and report.
Desert Eagle (.50 AE)
Martial Ranged Weapon (Firearm)
Damage: 2d12 piercing
Range: 50/150 ft
Cost: $1200-1500
Weight: 4 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (magazine, 7 rounds), Reload, Heavy
Mastery: Push
Massive Recoil
You have disadvantage on attack rolls with this weapon if your Strength score is less than 13.
Description: Massive gas-operated semi-automatic pistol chambered in .50 Action Express. Featured prominently in action movies but impractical for most real-world use. The largest and most powerful production semi-automatic pistol. Purely a "statement piece" that says its owner values power over practicality.
Description: The most popular shotgun design in America. Reliable, affordable, and effective. 12-gauge is standard. Pump-action mechanism is simple and nearly indestructible. Used for hunting, home defense, and police work. The distinctive sound of racking the pump is universally recognized and intimidating.
Illegal: Possession of a shotgun with barrel under 18 inches is a federal felony (NFA violation) unless registered as an AOW or SBS.
Short Range
You have disadvantage on attack rolls beyond 15 feet.
Both Barrels
As an action, you can fire both barrels at once. Make a single attack roll with advantage, dealing 3d6 damage on a hit. You must then reload both barrels (action).
Description: A shotgun with the barrel (and often stock) cut down for concealability and close-range devastation. Illegal under federal law but popular in criminal circles. The short barrel creates a wider spread pattern and tremendous recoil. Extremely dangerous at close range but nearly useless beyond 30 feet.
Combat Shotgun (Benelli M4, SPAS-12)
Martial Ranged Weapon (Firearm)
Damage: 2d8 piercing
Range: 30/90 ft
Cost: $800-1500
Weight: 8 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (tube or box magazine, 5-8 rounds), Reload, Two-Handed
Mastery: Push
Semi-Automatic
This weapon uses gas operation or recoil to automatically chamber the next round, allowing faster follow-up shots than pump shotguns.
Description: Military and police tactical shotgun with semi-automatic action. The Benelli M4 is used by U.S. military, while the Italian SPAS-12 is iconic from action movies. More expensive and less common than pump shotguns. These are professional-grade weapons rarely seen outside military and police use.
Description: Classic hunting shotgun with two barrels arranged either side-by-side or over-under. Elegant, simple, and effective. The break-action design allows you to fire two shots before needing to reload. Popular for bird hunting and sporting clays. Can reload both barrels as an action.
Martial Ranged Weapons - Rifles
Hunting Rifle (.30-06, .308)
Martial Ranged Weapon (Firearm)
Damage: 2d10 piercing
Range: 150/600 ft
Cost: $400-1000
Weight: 8 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (internal or detachable magazine, 3-5 rounds), Reload, Two-Handed, Heavy
Mastery: Slow
Description: Bolt-action rifle chambered in common hunting calibers like .30-06 Springfield or .308 Winchester. Designed for taking deer, elk, and other big game at long range. Extremely accurate, powerful, and completely legal and socially acceptable. Common in rural America. Models from Remington, Winchester, and Savage dominate the market.
Description: Classic American rifle design popularized in the Old West and still common for hunting. The Winchester Model 94 is iconic. The lever action allows relatively fast follow-up shots. Popular for deer hunting in thick woods where long-range shots are uncommon. Evokes nostalgia for frontier America.
.22 Rifle
Martial Ranged Weapon (Firearm)
Damage: 1d6 piercing
Range: 80/320 ft
Cost: $150-400
Weight: 5 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (tube or magazine, 10-30 rounds), Reload, Two-Handed
Mastery: Vex
Description: Small-caliber rifle firing .22 Long Rifle ammunition. Extremely common for target shooting, small game hunting, and training new shooters. Cheap ammunition and minimal recoil make it accessible. Not particularly effective for self-defense but quiet and accurate. Nearly every American gun owner has owned a .22 at some point.
AR-15
Martial Ranged Weapon (Firearm)
Damage: 2d6 piercing
Range: 80/240 ft
Cost: $800-1500
Weight: 7 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (magazine, 20-30 rounds), Reload, Two-Handed, Burst Fire
Mastery: Slow
Burst Fire
As an action, you can expend 3 pieces of ammunition to spray a 10-foot cube within normal range. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take the weapon's normal damage. Roll damage once for all creatures that fail the save.
Description: Semi-automatic civilian version of the M16 military rifle. Fires .223/5.56mm ammunition. In the 1990s, these are less common than they will become later, and somewhat controversial. Popular with gun enthusiasts and competitive shooters. Modular design allows extensive customization.
AK-47 (Semi-Auto)
Martial Ranged Weapon (Firearm)
Damage: 2d8 piercing
Range: 80/240 ft
Cost: $400-800
Weight: 8 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (magazine, 30 rounds), Reload, Two-Handed, Burst Fire
Mastery: Slow
Burst Fire
As an action, you can expend 3 pieces of ammunition to spray a 10-foot cube within normal range. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take the weapon's normal damage. Roll damage once for all creatures that fail the save.
Reliable
This weapon is legendarily reliable and functions even in adverse conditions where other firearms might jam.
Description: Semi-automatic civilian version of the Soviet military rifle. In the 1990s, these are imported from various countries and relatively affordable. The AK platform is known for being nearly indestructible and functioning in terrible conditions. Has a "bad guy gun" reputation from movies and news coverage.
Sniper Rifle (.300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua)
Martial Ranged Weapon (Firearm)
Damage: 2d12 piercing
Range: 200/800 ft
Cost: $2000-5000
Weight: 12 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (internal or detachable magazine, 3-5 rounds), Reload, Two-Handed, Heavy
Mastery: Slow
Long-Range Accuracy
When you make an attack with this weapon and haven't moved more than half your speed this turn, your critical hit range increases by 1 (you score a critical hit on a roll of 19-20). This benefit doesn't stack with other features that expand critical range.
Description: High-precision bolt-action rifle chambered in powerful long-range cartridges. These are expensive specialist weapons used by military snipers, law enforcement marksmen, and serious long-range shooting competitors. Equipped with high-magnification scopes. Capable of accurate shots beyond half a mile in trained hands.
Martial Ranged Weapons - Submachine Guns
Uzi
Martial Ranged Weapon (Firearm)
Damage: 2d6 piercing
Range: 50/150 ft
Cost: $600-1200
Weight: 8 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (magazine, 25-32 rounds), Reload, Two-Handed, Burst Fire
Mastery: Vex
Burst Fire
As an action, you can expend 3 pieces of ammunition to spray a 10-foot cube within normal range. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take the weapon's normal damage. Roll damage once for all creatures that fail the save.
Description: Israeli submachine gun, semi-auto only for civilian market. Compact and high capacity. Popular with gun enthusiasts but has "terrorist weapon" reputation from movies. The distinctive silhouette is instantly recognizable from action films.
MAC-10
Martial Ranged Weapon (Firearm)
Damage: 2d4 piercing
Range: 40/120 ft
Cost: $400-800
Weight: 6 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (magazine, 30 rounds), Reload, Two-Handed, Burst Fire
Mastery: Vex
Burst Fire
As an action, you can expend 3 pieces of ammunition to spray a 10-foot cube within normal range. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take the weapon's normal damage. Roll damage once for all creatures that fail the save.
Inaccurate
This weapon is notoriously difficult to control. You have disadvantage on attack rolls beyond 40 feet.
Description: Cheap, compact submachine gun with terrible reputation. Fires small .45 ACP or 9mm rounds at very high rate of fire. In semi-auto civilian versions, it's still inaccurate and difficult to control. Associated with gang violence and crime. Distinctive boxy appearance.
MP5
Martial Ranged Weapon (Firearm)
Damage: 2d6 piercing
Range: 60/180 ft
Cost: $1500-2500
Weight: 6 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (magazine, 30 rounds), Reload, Two-Handed, Burst Fire
Mastery: Vex
Burst Fire
As an action, you can expend 3 pieces of ammunition to spray a 10-foot cube within normal range. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take the weapon's normal damage. Roll damage once for all creatures that fail the save.
Description: German submachine gun used by SWAT teams and counter-terrorism units worldwide. Extremely accurate and reliable. In the 1990s, semi-auto versions are expensive and rare on civilian market. Has "elite operator" cachet from seeing use by special forces.
Other Martial Ranged Weapons
Compound Bow
Martial Ranged Weapon/Tool
Damage: 1d8 piercing
Range: 150/600 ft
Cost: $200-600
Weight: 3 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (arrows), Two-Handed, Heavy
Mastery: Slow
Silent
Produces no significant noise when fired. Excellent for stealth.
Description: Modern bow using pulleys and cables to reduce draw weight while increasing arrow velocity. Popular for hunting and sport archery in the 1990s. The mechanical advantage makes it easier to hold at full draw than traditional bows, allowing for more accurate shots. Silent, legal, and deadly. Carrying a compound bow draws no suspicion during hunting season or in rural areas.
Because of the time required to load this weapon, you can fire only one piece of ammunition from it when you use an action, bonus action, or reaction to fire it, regardless of the number of attacks you can normally make.
Silent
Produces minimal noise when fired. Excellent for stealth.
Description: Full-size hunting crossbow with significant draw weight, designed for taking deer and other large game. Much more powerful than pistol crossbows, with bolts capable of punching through hide and bone. Requires both hands to operate and significant strength to load. Legal for hunting and completely silent in use.
Longbow
Martial Ranged Weapon
Damage: 1d8 piercing
Range: 150/600 ft
Cost: $50-300
Weight: 2 lbs
Properties: Ammunition (arrows), Two-Handed, Heavy
Mastery: Slow
Description: Traditional self-bow made from single piece of wood or modern laminated materials. Requires significant strength and practice to use effectively. Popular with archery enthusiasts and SCA participants. Legal everywhere and completely non-threatening in appearance. Silent and deadly in skilled hands.
Reference - Weapon Properties
Ammunition: Uses specific ammo (arrows, bullets, etc.). Must have ammo to attack.
Burst Fire: Can spray area with ammunition (see weapon description).
Finesse: Use DEX instead of STR for attack and damage rolls.
Heavy: Small creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls.
Light: Can use two-weapon fighting.
Loading: Can only fire once per action/bonus action/reaction regardless of attacks.
Reach: Adds 5 feet to reach.
Reload: Must reload after a certain number of shots (specified in parentheses).
Thrown: Can make ranged attack by throwing weapon.
Two-Handed: Requires two hands to use.
Versatile: Can be used with one or two hands (damage in parentheses is two-handed).
Reference - Weapon Mastery Properties
Characters with the Weapon Mastery feature can use these special abilities with appropriate weapons. Each weapon lists its Mastery property in its stat block.
Cleave
On melee kill, make melee attack against second creature within 5 feet.
Graze
On miss, deal damage equal to ability modifier (same type as weapon).
Nick
When you make extra attack with Light property, can make it as part of Attack action instead of bonus action (once per turn).
Push
On hit, push Large or smaller creature 10 feet straight away.
Sap
On hit, target has disadvantage on next attack roll before start of your next turn.
Slow
On hit and damage, reduce target's Speed by 10 feet until start of your next turn (doesn't stack if hit multiple times).
Topple
On hit, force Constitution save (DC 8 + proficiency + ability modifier) or be knocked prone.
Vex
On hit, you have advantage on next attack against that creature before end of your next turn.
Design Notes: These weapons are balanced to match official D&D 5e power levels while maintaining 1990s flavor and authenticity. Firearms follow the power curve established in the DMG, with modifications for the modern/historical setting. All special features are intended to provide flavor without significantly increasing combat power beyond standard martial weapons.