Does proficiency in both simple and martial weapons mean my character is proficient in all weapons?

Question

So I am building my first D&D character, it's a Barbarian Mountain Dwarf, and I'm trying to figure out what weapons he is proficient with, but in the Barbarian section it says that he his proficient with Simple and Martial weapons. Does that mean he is proficient with all weapons? And if not, then what weapons does it mean?

Answer 1

PHB p. 146:

Your race, class, and feats can grant you proficiency with certain weapons or categories of weapons. The two categories are simple and martial.

A weapon in 5e can be either simple or martial. You can also check the table at p. 149. If you are proficient with both categories, then you are proficient with all weapons (except unconventional improvised weapons, which need the Tavern Brawler feat in order for you to be proficient).

Answer 2

Yes, that covers all of the weapons from the PHB, but there are more types of weapons than just those ones

Simple and martial weapons are the only two categories described in the PHB in the Chapter 5: Equipment. However, Monster Manual (and Volo's Guide as well) describes creatures using various different weapons, out of the PHB list.

Some examples are:

• A Grimlock's spiked bone club
• A Kuo-toa's pincer staff
• A Redcap's sickle
• A Chain Devil's chain

From the lore perspective, it is highly unlikely that your character will be proficient with all these weapons, and in terms of the game mechanics they are neither 'simple' nor 'martial'.

Also note that improvised weapons (e.g. torches, beer steins, billiard balls, boulders, etc.) are neither simple nor martial, although the Tavern Brawler feat can make you proficient with them (thanks @eyecosahedron for this catch).

Natural weapons (such as the Lizardfolk's jaws) are also a thing, and according to Jeremy Crawford they too are neither martial nor simple (credits to @MarsPlastic for this one).

See also: What weapons are there besides simple and martial?