From wushu’s whirling chains and multi-bladed polearms to the awe-evoking mystique of the samurai’s gleaming blades, the martial arts of the East evoke images of fantastic weaponry. Exotic even within their own cultures, a number of these weapons require specialized training, and the secrets of their mastery are well protected in remote temples and secret dojos. In most Eastern cultures, the weapon is more than just a means of defense; possibly representing a cultural tradition or philosophy. It may display social status or even tell the history of a clan or house.
This section contains all the Eastern weapons needed to run an Eastern-inspired fantasy campaign. They were chosen from a variety of Asian cultures, including those of China, Japan, Korea, India, the Philippines, and more.
(Simple – Eastern) Light Melee Weapons | Cost | Dmg (S) | Dmg (M) | Critical | Range | Weight1 | Type2 | Special |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hanbo | 1 gp | 1d4 | 1d6 | x2 | — | 2 lbs. | B | monk, trip |
Martial Weapons (Eastern)
(Martial – Eastern) Light Melee Weapons | Cost | Dmg (S) | Dmg (M) | Critical | Range | Weight1 | Type2 | Special |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sword, Butterfly | 20 gp | 1d3 | 1d4 | 19–20/×2 | — | 1 lb. | S | monk |
Iron Brush | 2 gp | 1d2 | 1d3 | ×2 | 10 ft. | — | P | — |
Jutte | 8 gp | 1d4 | 1d6 | ×2 | — | 1 lb. | B | disarm, monk |
Kerambit | 2 gp | 1d2 | 1d3 | ×3 | — | — | S | — |
Kukri | 8 gp | 1d3 | 1d4 | 18–20/x2 | — | 2 lbs. | S | — |
Lungchuan tamo | 5 gp | 1d3 | 1d4 | ×2 | 10 ft. | 1 lb. | P or S | monk |
Shang gou | 6 gp | 1d3 | 1d4 | ×2 | — | 1 lb. | S | disarm or trip (see text), monk |
Tonfa | 1 gp | 1d4 | 1d6 | ×2 | — | 1 lb. | B | blocking, monk |
Wushu dart (5) | 1 gp | 1d2 | 1d3 | ×2 | 10 ft. | — | P | monk |
(Martial – Eastern) One-Handed Melee Weapons | Cost | Dmg (S) | Dmg (M) | Critical | Range | Weight1 | Type2 | Special |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broadsword, Nine-Ring | 15 gp | 1d6 | 1d8 | ×3 | — | 4 lbs. | S | monk |
Double Chicken Saber | 12 gp | 1d4 | 1d6 | 19–20/×2 | — | 3 lbs. | S | disarm, monk |
Sibat | 2 gp | 1d4 | 1d6 | ×3 | 10 ft. | 2 lbs. | P or S | see text |
(Martial – Eastern) Two-Handed Melee Weapons | Cost | Dmg (S) | Dmg (M) | Critical | Range | Weight1 | Type2 | Special |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hooked lance | 3 gp | 1d6 | 1d8 | ×4 | — | 10 lbs. | P | reach, trip |
Monk’s spade | 20 gp | 1d4/1d4 | 1d6/1d6 | ×2 | — | 12 lbs. | B or P or S | double, monk |
Naginata | 35 gp | 1d6 | 1d8 | ×4 | — | 9 lbs. | S | reach |
Nodachi | 60 gp | 1d8 | 1d10 | 18–20/×2 | — | 8 lbs. | S or P | brace |
Sansetsukon | 8 gp | 1d8 | 1d10 | 19–20/×2 | — | 3 lbs. | B | blocking, disarm, monk |
Sword, Tri-Point Double-Edged | 12 gp | 1d8 | 1d10 | ×3 | — | 14 lbs. | P | reach |
Tiger Fork | 5 gp | 1d6 | 1d8 | ×2 | — | 8 lbs. | P | brace, monk |
(Martial – Eastern) Ranged Weapons | Cost | Dmg (S) | Dmg (M) | Critical | Range | Weight1 | Type2 | Special |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tube arrow shooter | 3 gp | 1d3 | 1d4 | ×2 | 40 ft. | 1/2 lb. | P | — |
Arrow, Bamboo shaft (10) | 1 gp | — | — | — | — | 1/2 lb. | — | — |
Arrow, iron-tipped distance (20) | 1 gp | — | — | — | — | 4 lbs. | — | — |
Arrow(s), whistling (20) | 2 gp | — | — | — | — | 3 lbs. | — | — |
Poisoned sand tube | 1 gp | special | special | — | — | 1 lb. | — | — |
(Exotic – Eastern) Light Melee Weapons | Cost | Dmg (S) | Dmg (M) | Critical | Range | Weight1 | Type2 | Special |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bich’hwa | 5 gp | 1d3 | 1d4 | 19-20/x2 | — | 2 lbs. | P or S | monk |
Dan bong | 1 sp | 1d2 | 1d3 | 19–20/×2 | 10 ft. | — | B | blocking, monk |
Emei piercer | 3 gp | 1d2 | 1d3 | 19–20/×2 | — | — | P | monk, see text |
Fighting Fan | 5 gp | 1d3 | 1d4 | ×3 | — | — | S or P | distracting, monk |
Kama | 2 gp | 1d4 | 1d6 | x2 | — | 2 lbs. | S | monk, trip |
Madu (leather) | 40 gp | 1d3 | 1d4 | x2 | — | 5 lbs. | P | performance |
Madu (steel) | 40 gp | 1d3 | 1d4 | x2 | — | 6 lbs. | P | performance |
Nunchaku | 2 gp | 1d4 | 1d6 | x2 | — | 2 lbs. | B | disarm, monk |
Pata | 14 gp | 1d4 | 1d6 | x3 | — | 3 lbs. | P | performance |
Sai | 1 gp | 1d3 | 1d4 | x2 | — | 1 lb. | B | disarm, monk |
Siangham | 3 gp | 1d4 | 1d6 | x2 | — | 1 lb. | P | monk |
Tekko-kagi (iron claw) | 2 gp | 1d2 | 1d3 | ×2 | — | — | P | disarm, see text |
Wakizashi | 35 gp | 1d4 | 1d6 | 18–20/×2 | — | 2 lbs. | P or S | deadly |
(Exotic – Eastern) One-Handed Melee Weapons | Cost | Dmg (S) | Dmg (M) | Critical | Range | Weight1 | Type2 | Special |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Katana | 50 gp | 1d6 | 1d8 | 18–20/×2 | — | 6 lbs. | S | deadly |
Nine-section whip | 8 gp | 1d6 | 1d8 | 19–20/×2 | — | 3 lbs. | B | blocking, distracting, monk, trip |
Sword, temple | 30 gp | 1d6 | 1d8 | 19-20/x2 | — | 3 lbs. | S | monk, trip |
Urumi | 30 gp | 1d6 | 1d8 | 18-20/x2 | — | 6 lbs. | S | — |
(Exotic – Eastern) Two-Handed Melee Weapons | Cost | Dmg (S) | Dmg (M) | Critical | Range | Weight1 | Type2 | Special |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bo staff | 1 gp | 1d4/1d4 | 1d6/1d6 | ×2 | — | 3 lbs. | B | blocking, double, monk |
Chain spear | 15 gp | 1d4/1d4 | 1d6/1d6 | ×2 | — | 13 lbs. | P and S | double, trip |
Chain, spiked | 25 gp | 1d6 | 2d4 | x2 | — | 10 lbs. | P | disarm, trip |
Kama, double-chained | 8 gp | 1d4/1d4 | 1d6/1d6 | ×2 | — | 4 lbs. | S | double, monk, reach, trip |
Katana, double walking stick | 50 gp | 1d4 | 1d6 | 19-20/×2 | — | 6 lbs. | S | — |
Kusarigama (sickle and chain) | 12 gp | 1d2/1d4 | 1d3/1d6 | ×2 | — | 3 lbs. | S or B | double, monk, reach, trip, grapple |
Kyoketsu shoge | 6 gp | 1d3 | 1d4 | ×2 | 20 ft. | 1 lb. | S or P | disarm, grapple, monk, reach |
Meteor hammer | 10 gp | 1d6 | 1d8 | ×2 | — | 10 lbs. | B | reach, trip |
Sword, Seven-Branched | 50 gp | 1d8 | 1d10 | ×3 | — | 7 lbs. | S | disarm, monk |
Tetsubo | 20 gp | 1d8 | 1d10 | ×4 | — | 10 lbs. | B | — |
(Exotic – Eastern) Ranged Weapons | Cost | Dmg (S) | Dmg (M) | Critical | Range | Weight1 | Type2 | Special |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chakram, crystal | 20 gp | 1d4 | 1d6 | 18-20/x2 | — | 2 lbs. | S | — |
Rope dart | 1 gp | 1d3 | 1d4 | ×2 | 20 ft. | — | P | blocking, distracting, monk |
(Exotic – Eastern) Ammunition | Cost | Dmg (S) | Dmg (M) | Critical | Range | Weight1 | Type2 | Special |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shuriken (5) | 1 gp | 1 | 1d2 | x2 | 10 ft. | 1/2 lb. | P | monk |
1 Weight figures are for Medium weapons. A Small weapon weighs half as much, and a Large weapon weighs twice as much.
2 A weapon with two types is both types if the entry specifies “and,” or either type (wielder’s choice) if the entry specifies “or.”
- Kumade
- Kumade, Collapsible
- Gandasa
- Klar
- Knife, Deer Horn
- Sword, Dueling
- Estoc
- Knobkerrie
- Eku
- Fukibari
- Fukiya
- Hanbo
- Iki Jime
- Iron-shod staff
- Jutte/Jitte
- Kamayari
- Kanabo
- Kodachi
- Kunai
- Kukri
- Kusari-fundo
- Kusarigama
- Kyoketsu shoge
- Lungchuan Tamo (Hidden Daggers)
- Manriki
- Manrikigusari
- Masakari
- Monk’s spade (Martial – Eastern)
- Naginata
- Nodachi
- Ono
- Otsuchi
- Sansetsukon (Three-Section Staff)
- Sasumata
- Shang Gou
- Sibat
- Sodegarami
- Tanto
- Tekkan
- Tekko
- Tonfa
- Dart, Wushu
- Yari
Yumi
Japanese arrow stand with a pair of Yumi bows.
Yumi is the Japanese term for bows, and includes the longbow, Daikyu and the shortbow, hankyu) used in the practice of kyudo, or Japanese archery. The yumi is exceptionally tall (standing over two meters), surpassing the height of the archer . They are made by laminating bamboo, wood and leather. The construction used may be a Japanese development of the laminated bows widely used for centuries across Northern Eurasia and in Jomon times in Japan.
Yumi, Daikyu (DnD Equipment)
Created By Eroneko
Date Created: 11/21/2007
Daikyu Yumi
Exotic Two-Handed Projectile Critical: ×3
Range Increment: 100 ft.
Type: piercing
Hardness: 5
Size | Cost1 | Damage | Weight1 | hp |
Small | 75 gp | 1d6 | 1–1/2 lb. | 2 |
Medium | 75 gp | 1d8 | 3 lb. | 5 |
The Daikyu is the Japanese
version of the European longbow, and is utilized in much the same way to much
the same effect. The bow is constructed of bamboo, and as such is relatively
lightweight compared to some other bows constructed of solid wood. Typically
the bamboo is cut into strips and then ‘woven’ together in layers around a core
of wood to form a very strong, but quite flexible frame. The construction of
a Daikyu, from the gathering of materials to the weaving and then finishing,
is done by a single person, and it is said that it takes 10 years for a master
bowCraftsman to train himself to create the
perfect bow. Any good bow requires proper care be taken of it or it will fall
into disrepair, but the Daikyu’s construction and Craftsmanship
allows it to be repaired with relative ease.
Two hands are always required
to use a bow, regardless of its size. A Daikyu Yumi is too unwieldy to use properly
while riding a horse or other mount, and a character attempting to do so must
take appropriate penalties to their attack roll. A character adds their Strength
modifier, even if negative, to all damage rolls when wielding a Daikyu Yumi.
Yumi, Hankyu
Created By Eroneko
Date Created: 11/21/2007
Hankyu Yumi
Exotic Two-Handed Projectile Critical: ×3
Range Increment: 60 ft.
Type: piercing
Hardness: 5
Size | Cost1 | Damage | Weight1 | hp |
Small | 30 gp | 1d4 | 1 lb. | 2 |
Medium | 30 gp | 1d6 | 2 lb. | 5 |
You need at least two hands
to use a hankyu yumi, regardless of its size. You can use a hankyu yumi while
mounted. If you have a penalty for low Strength, apply it to damage rolls when
you use a shortbow.
Zanbato
Created By dinosaurhunter
Date Created: Febuary 8,2009
Critical: 19-20/x3
Range Increment: —
Type: slashing
Hardness: —
Size | Cost1 | Damage | Weight1 | hp |
Small | 1d10 | 3lb. | 5 | |
Medium | 2d6 | 6lb. | 10 |
A sword resembling a massisive
katana
The feat Weapon
Finesse can be used on this weapon
Fire
lance

First illustration of Fire Lance And a Grenade, 10th Century,
Dunhuang. Appears to be a detail from an illustration of Sakyamuni’s temptation
by Mara, with the demons at upper right threatening with the fire lance and
other weapons while those at lower right tempt with pleasures.”The Genius
of China”, Robert Temple 10th century
From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
The fire lance or fire
spear is one of the first gunpowder weapons in the world.
Description
The earliest fire lances
were spear-like weapons combining a tube containing gunpowder and projectiles
tied to a Chinese spear. Upon firing, the charge ejected a small projectile
or poison dart along with the flame. These fire lances had a range of only a
few feet. Being a weapon that combines with a spear, it was initially used as
a hand-to-hand weapon with the gunpowder shot designed to give the wielder an
edge in close-quarter combat.
Inventors soon saw the
merit in the gunpowder/tube design and fire lances then appeared independent
of the spear.
Diagrams, illustrations
and books from the 10th century show the fire lance being used in battle, but
it saw the most prolific usage during early to mid Song Dynasty, when various
northern peoples encroached on Chinese soil. These short-ranged, one-shot, disposable
weapons were often held in racks on city walls and gave Chinese defenders a
tremendous tactical and psychological advantage when fired in volleys. They
were ideal for dealing with enemies trying to scale city walls, or for holding
the enemy at bay behind a breached gate.
History
The first fire-lances were
seen in China during the 10th century, but by about 1260 they had developed
into a variety of forms and although normally associated with peasant rebels,
regular Song troops also used them, their use by cavalry being described at
the siege of Yangzhou in 1276. They were cheap and popular for several centuries
sometimes being used in racks to defend cities and remained in use until well
after the Ming period. The development of gunpowder in the fire lance to have
enough force to hurl a killing projectile was a key step along the development
of the first true guns.
This weapon paved the way
for further improvements to gunpowder weapons and is the direct ancestor of
the modern-day firearm and artillery.
The weapon seems also to
have evolved into rockets, which were used as a weapon in their own right.
Huochong
From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
Huochong is a tube-like,
projection firearm. It first appeared in the Song Dynasty and was constructed
of bamboo. The bamboo body was replaced with bronze sometime in the late 13th
or early 14th century. The oldest metal huochong, which is seen by many as the
first known cannon, is a bronze huochong which has an inscription dating back
to 1298. This piece has no certain find context, however, and is therefore disputed
in authenticity. The first certain bronze huochong comes from 1332.
Jian
A chinese sword, known as Jiàn, with its scabbard.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The jian is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. One-handed versions have blades varying in length.
Known as “The Gentleman of Weapons” and is considered one of the four major weapons, along with the Gun (staff), Qiang (spear), and the Dao (sabre).
Roleplaying
Jian (DnD Equipment)
Created By Eiji
Date Created: 11-23-07
Jian
Martial One-Handed Melee Critical: 19-20/x2
Range Increment: —
Type: Slashing & Piercing
Hardness: 10
Size | Cost1 | Damage | Weight1 | hp |
Small | 30 | 1d6 | 1 lb | 5 |
Medium | 30 | 1d8 | 2 lb. | 10 |
The Jian is a double-edged
straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. It has a hilt to protect
from opposing blades, and is often equipped with a tassel at the end. The Green
Destiny sword from Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is an example of one of these
blades.
They are very light and
fairly flexible. The Weapon Finesse feat can apply to this weapon as such, even though it is not a light weapon.
Like the rapier, you can’t wield a jian in
two hands in order to apply 1½ times your Strength bonus to damage.
Meteor hammer
A meteor hammer
This weapon consists of one or two spherical weights attached by a 10-foot chain. You whirl the weights and wrap them around an opponents body.
Benefit: If you succeed at a trip attempt with a meteor hammer, you can drag your opponent 5 feet closer to you rather than knocking her prone.
You may use this weapon in two different ways:
Meteor: In meteor mode you use it as a double weapon.
Fortress: In fortress mode you cannot use it as a double weapon but gain reach
and a +1 shield bonus to AC.
Switching between these two modes is a free action decided at the start of your
turn.
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Ultimate Combat. © 2011, Paizo Publishing,
LLC; Authors: Jason Bulmahn, Tim Hitchcock, Colin McComb, Rob McCreary, Jason
Nelson, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Sean K Reynolds, Owen K.C. Stephens, and
Russ Taylor.