Very true, but I'm sticking with the spirit of the game. I think that the disarm function of a longsword would be more of a "you took the Improved Disarm feat", rather than the weapon aiding you. Then with a whip, the weapon is designed to grab things, so it should have a bonus. That sort of thing. As for accuracy: maybe? Maybe that's what Masterwork will become?
Oh, right, MW weapons now don't exist as they were.
As for the damage adjustments, in response to you veekie, I think what you're trying to say is that damage is more of a determiner of power than I thought it was? If that's so, then yeah, I did take damage into account, I'm trying to balance things around the "max average damage" the weapon can do, trying to figure out if a certain ability will match it.
Well, multiple factors:
-Different types of weapons have differing qualities towards the basic traits of accuracy(to hit), damage, penetration(in D&D this seems to be high crit multiplier vs high crit range), and parrying compatibility(Shield bonus? large weapons are supposed to be good for deflecting attacks, but not quite as good as using a long+short weapon, and even less effective than a shield and long weapon).
In the gamist sense, I figure weapons favored by 3/4 BAB classes would tend to have high accuracy and lower damage, as their damage sources derive from their own class features, and they could use the accuracy. On the other hand adding another significant damage or accuracy source can throw off damage expectations.
-Disarm is a special case yes, since you can do it with any weapon. Some are better at it(sword-breakers for example)
-Some of the features of weapons should derive from advanced weapons training, which would grant each weapon a relatively unique fighting style. Some generalizations:
Any staff or polearm weapon(barring a field pike or lance, which are too long to maneuver close in) can be used to sweep enemies off their feet, and act interchangeably as a reach or double weapon(or both at once in the hands of a true expert). However, basic proficiency training largely focuses on using only one end as a weapon.
Curved blades are especially good at moving assaults(striking from one target to another), and do well when the target is lightly armored. Straight blades are great at penetrating armor, but are more awkward to perform running attacks with, yet also present more options for alternative grips.
Chain and flexible weapons can be used to grab, bind and break.
Pretty much all the non-polearms can be used in a grapple, at bad accuracy granted, but they do still work.
EDIT: Would shields be absorbed into weapon types proper or do they remain in their strange place as both armor and weapon?
Also, what about Armor Spikes, boot knives, etc and their tendency to be off-hand to a 2H weapon, or their tendency to be used as one weapon to each body part?
