Is there any way for my wizard to learn just sword proficiency?

Question

Can a wizard learn a single weapon proficiency (similar to how they can learn a tool set or language, which use Training rules), or are costly and over-blown options like multi-classing, feats, or becoming a Bladesinger the only way?

I know that getting a level of Fighter, or taking the Weapon Master feat, or choosing the Bladesinger archetype would work, but all of these also gain many more things than just proficiency with a sword. They are also either difficult (multi-classing sacrifices a whole wizard level), or very expensive (devoting the character's future to being the Bladesinger archetype), or outright impossible (a DM's game may simply not include the multi-classing or feat options). It seems such a pity when Training rules are right there, but they don't cover learning new weapon proficiencies.

It's possible that I'm fixated on wishing I could just Train for using a sword and I'm overlooking something else.

Is there any simple way that isn't hugely expensive to learn proficiency with just the sword? Is it easier than I am seeming to read it?

Answer 1

Other than the obvious Feat and multi-classing there is a section on training in the DMG and thus totally optional, but it is on p231.

• The character gains inspiration daily at dawn for 1d4+6 days.
• The character gains proficiency in a skill.
• The character gains a feat.

If you can get a feat by doing this or proficiency in a skill (pointing out that these don't count against your normal feat progression), I don't see anything game breaking to train for a single weapon. This is covered under unusual and usually unavailable training as a reward so it could be something to work toward by gaining renown with a guy that knows a guy for example.

This approach is entirely in the wheelhouse of DM allowance though and I would never allow it out of the box to be honest, as in Level 1.

This answer is based on the assumption that you already have a Wizard created and not necessarily an elf of any flavor, since the question was edited a few times by a couple of moderators this point may not have been clear, as in whether generating one from Level 1 or an existing Wizard of any race.

Answer 2

Be a High or Wood Elf.

While this doesn't help an existing character, a new PC can be a High Elf or Wood Elf Wizard, who gain sword proficiencies as racial traits.

Answer 3

As answered here, the only way to gain a weapon skill without spending a feat or a class is to have a GM who allows you to get training. It make sense that it's not that easy to learn how to properly wield a weapon.

It's not that simple to become a proficient at wielding a sword, or any weapon for that matter. It's not just about being smart or strong. Being a real swordfighter requires knowledge of several stances and their strengths and weaknesses, how to dodge and parry without losing body parts, and how to fight against other types of weapons efficiently. This requires several years of training and practice before you can properly use a sword in a real fight.

A friend of mine has been training in swordfighting for half a year now, and in matches he's still getting destroyed by most of his fellow students.

Everyone can swing a sword around and hope to hit something, and so can your wizard. But the penalties reflect that he doesn't really know what he is doing, as you would expect from everyone without proper training. And a feat or class represents that training.

As to why the feat 'suddenly' gives you skills, that goes for most feats and abilities that you gain after creation of the character. This is mostly a roleplay issue. I've played with GMs that didn't allow players to get feats or abilities if they didn't beforehand let him know that they were training those, but most GMs don't care and just ignore the plot hole that it is.

Answer 4

Be a Variant Human.

(This will require that your DM allows the Variant Human racial type, in the box at the bottom of PHB p.31.)

Instead of gaining +1 to all 6 stats, you get +1 to two stats, and an extra skill, and an extra feat. Spend the bonus feat on Weapon Master, and gain proficiency with 4 weapons of choice, and a point of Dex or Str.

Yes, I saw that you didn't consider spending a Feat to be ideal, but this is an almost-free option which pays for itself quite well. As a human, choose +1 to your Dex and Int, and for the feat choose Dex again. Overall, +2 Dex, +1 Int, 4 weapons of your choice (which could all be swords if you like), and even an extra skill choice.

Answer 5

Some Magic Items give weapon proficiencies

Although this doesn't help you get proficiency in any kind of sword, I want to point out that there is a way to gain proficiency with certain weapons outside of race/class or the Weapon Master feat, and that's by being attuned to certain magic items.

The only RAW example I can find is the Bracers of Archery, which gives you proficiency with Longbows and Shortbows. From the DMG, pg. 156:

While wearing these bracers, you have proficiency with the long bow and shortbow, and you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls on ranged attacks made with such weapons.

However, this also sets the precedent for a DM to homebrew other magic items that allow magic items to grant proficiency. Therefore, if your DM would be willing to help you get this weapon proficiency, you could have, say, a magic sword that gives you the proficiency with swords of its kind, or some other utility magic item (such as bracers, or example) that give you a weapon proficiency.

Answer 6

For sake of completeness, and since most answer cover the rules in the books, I am going to take the homebrew route.

Very little homebrew

Adapting a background: Some backgrounds can be modified just a tiny bit to have proficiency with a weapon. For example with the Noble background, instead of a game set, your noble family's tradition is focus on fencing and rapiers. The soldier background can easily give you access to a weapon proficiency.

Adapting a race: This is a little bit more complex, since some races are hard to adapt but there are some that can be modified. For example, Dwarfs are very easy, you already have a weapon proficiency, now it is just a matter of being the Black-sheep Dwarf and learn how to use a sword or two.

Modifying the class: This might be frowned upon, but wizards do know how to use some simple weapons so it is not very far-fetch that instead of learning how to use the staff, dagger, darts, etc, he learnt how to use a single weapon.

Homebrew

The -you are a Wizard- option: You are in the realm of magic and, furthermore, you are a wizard, a scholar driven spell caster. You learn how to use spells by studying and that a guy called Mordenkainen create a spell to live in a mansion between adventures and a floating, invulnerable, sword. Your wizard can leave his footprint in his world by creating a spell that give you proficiency with a weapon. A cantrip or a level one or two spell might do the trick.

The magic weapon: If you can have weapons that can alert you from the presence of enemies, you can have a weapon that can (with a little bit of magic) bond with you and give proficiency with that weapon.

The -magic tome that turn into dust as soon as it is touched- path: Simple, elegant, with a title a bit too long but very fitting for an adventure. You heard about a tome that can engrave knowledge to the user. It might be cursed, or not, who knows, but that is how adventures roles.

There are more options but that would take forever to finish, and as the proverbial says; the DM is the limit.

Answer 7

Goofy answer, but no one else has mentioned it

Well, there's always Wish - Learn lv 9 spells, cast Wish and wish you were proficient with Swords. It's pretty reasonable and unlikely to backfire spectacularly unless your GM punishes every Wish use, per the old tradition of 'Wishes always go hilariously awry'.

If your GM has a sense of humor, suggest that once you can cast a level 9 spell, you will Wish that you had always had Sword proficiency and get it retroactively back to this point in the game. When he chuckles and says 'Um, no' then go with Slagmoth's answer above.

Answer 8

No, but: cast Shadow Blade; never draw your sword; or fight without proficiency

Generally it is just lineage, class or feats that "grant you proficiency with certain weapons or categories of weapons" according to the Player's Handbook.

Cast Shadow Blade

As a Wizard you can be proficient when using a (specific solidified gloom) sword from level 3 onwards by casting Shadow Blade, as it "counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient".

Your DM might let you train

While there are rules for training "a new language" or "a set of tools", there is no specific rule for training a weapon proficiency. The Player's Handbook says "Your DM might allow additional training options". It would be 250 days downtime and 1 gp/day by those rules.

When creating a new character

If you are creating a new character, the Customizing Your Origin rules from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything lets you do "proficiency swaps" in your initial lineage, where you can swap a Martial Weapon or Armor proficiency for a Martial Weapon proficiency you want. This includes most Elves, most Dwarves, and options from Monsters of the Multiverse include Eladrin, Giff, Githyanki and Shadar-Kai. You can get weapon proficiency through a feat like Weapon Master that you can pick with Custom Lineage or Variant Human, but that feels like overkill.

Some magic items

As NathanS notes, only a couple of magic items grant proficiency, for example while attuned to the Snicker-Snack from Wild Beyond the Witchlight "you have proficiency with greatswords".

High level spells

At higher levels spells like Tenser's Transformation would do it.

Never draw your sword

My favourite work around would be to never take your sword out of it's scabbard when fighting (a very Zatoichi image in my mind), and use it like the quarterstaff you are already proficient with because "At the DM's option, a character proficient with a weapon can use a similar object as if it were that weapon and use his or her proficiency bonus".

Disguise your quarterstaff

Similarly, you could cast Disguise Self to make your quarterstaff look like a sword since you can "make yourself—including your … weapons" look different.

Fight without proficiency

Finally, you can always use a sword without being proficient, you just don't get to add your proficiency bonus. You could partially compensate for this by casting Magic Weapon (for a +1 bonus).

Answer 9

In terms of roleplay, there should be options for learning certain things. E.g. If I'm a Warlock with high dexterity, why can't I learn to use a rapier. Taking a feat means I don't get to level up, often not worthwhile (one reason Tasha's introduced mostly half-feats, with some stat increase). But honestly, why couldn't a player learn to use a sword or a bow? It's just practice.

Page 187 of the PHB states one can train in language or tool use, though the time 250 in-game days, with a teacher, is prohibitive. Also, it doesn't include weapon proficiency. I suppose a GM could specify that one only needs to visit the teacher on occasion (6 times per year?) and the rest of the time, practice while doing other things. If this is the case, perhaps there could be degrees of proficiency (Apprentice, journeyman, master).

GM Binder (https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-M9oZ2lRS-ZpX-368Y3M) suggests a system based on dice rolls that may be adapted, and seems a possible means of learning a weapon. New proficiencies are limited by intelligence modifier, and for a weapon, high dex modifiers help learning more quickly, which makes sense.