Caislen Campaign Notes

The “Small Size Rule” is a homebrew house rule because I didn't see anything, at least with a brief search in the PHB and DMG that clarified small creatures using weapons & armor that would appear visually daunting to them. So here is some clarification on how we're going to deal with these things in D&D 5.5e until someone points out an official or better way that's agreeable. We'll use a Hamsterfolk named “Dave” as an example of a small creature being portrayed as humanoid enough that this is relevant.

• TWO-HANDED weapons that are also marked as HEAVY can be used but only at DISADVANTAGE. As an example lets imagine Dave, our Hampsterfolk, trying to use a GREATAXE. That just isn't going to go well. It's going to be top heavy and perhaps try to topple him while he uses it.
• This rule shall apply regardless of class, background, misc temporary spell effect or feat implying otherwise.
• In a perfect scenario, Dave would not even being trying to justify the use of a Heavy Crossbow. He's have made other choices.

• HEAVY ARMOR should be completely banned for small creatures UNLESS they find a specialized small version of heavy armor. If Dave our Hampsterfolk tried to put on standard PLATE ARMOR taken off a dead bandit, he'd just topple over, end of story. However if Dave found a special Plate Armor specifically made for Hampsterfolk size wise, that'd be acceptable.
• In a perfect scenario, Dave would not attempt to use a SHIELD while wearing anything greater than LIGHT ARMOR because weight + awkward size of him being small just make it weird logically speaking. For the record Dave would also not attempt to use a shield with most weapons, because that's essentially making everything a difficult two handed scenario for him. I'm sure there are some logical arguments to the contrary forthcoming.

• Note the “VARIANT: EQUIPMENT SIZES” rule on page 219 of the 5.5e PHB.