STR bonus and 2-handed Weapons

[Bodhiwolff]

Hi all. First post here. New to 4th edition, and trying to clear up some misconceptions and misfiled rules in my head.

2-handed weapons (say, a greataxe) -- you get a STR bonus to damage with it, but how much bonus, exactly? Do you get get your STR bonus, or 1.5x your STR bonus (or is that an out-of-date rule that is just stuck in my head from old systems, and *that* is why I can't seem to find it?).

If there is a page reference showing the 1.5xSTR bonus for 2-handed weapons, I'd appreciate it, 'cause I can't find it for the life of me.

 

[DracoSuave]

Hi all. First post here. New to 4th edition, and trying to clear up some misconceptions and misfiled rules in my head.

2-handed weapons (say, a greataxe) -- you get a STR bonus to damage with it, but how much bonus, exactly? Do you get get your STR bonus, or 1.5x your STR bonus (or is that an out-of-date rule that is just stuck in my head from old systems, and *that* is why I can't seem to find it?).

If there is a page reference showing the 1.5xSTR bonus for 2-handed weapons, I'd appreciate it, 'cause I can't find it for the life of me.

There is no 1.5 str. You're just hanging on to a legacy that existed for a singular edition.

 

[Bodhiwolff]

Thank you kindly. I'm trying to make sure that I don't read anything extra in from the four accumulated D&D rulesets floating around in my head (stopped reading before 3.5) but obviously there are a few snippets still jamming up the works.

Thanks again.

 

[kouk]

Using a two handed weapon does more damage than a one handed weapon because the weapon is bigger and requires two hands at the same time.

If you use a one handed weapon that has the versatile property with both hands, that adds +1 damage, which is the average increase you would get by just using a two handed weapon in the first place.

The only "wonky" weapon is the Bastard Sword, which ends up doing more damage than its closest two handed equivalent when wielded with both hands.

 

[generalhenry]

You're just hanging on to a legacy that existed for a singular edition.

not even a single edition. Half an edition

it only existed to balance out the over power TWFing

 

[Hypersmurf]

not even a single edition. Half an edition

it only existed to balance out the over power TWFing

Two-handed weapons, and one-handed weapons used in two hands, added 1.5x Str bonus to damage in both 3E and 3.5.

You're possibly thinking of 2-for-1 Power Attack, which only existed in 3.5.

-Hyp.

 

[Stalker0]

Here are the bonus for THW:

1) More damage, due to their higher damage die. And of course, more damage on a crit.
2) Even more damage on powers that use 2[w] or 3[w], etc, as those higher weapon die gets multiplied.
3) Works better with the power attack feat.
4) A few fighter powers like reaping strike work better with two handed weapons.
5) Gives you a few side benefits. For example, a character with a THW could grab an opponent and hold his GS in one hand. HE couldn't weild it, but he could do it. A person with a shield strapped to their arm can't use it to grab, and so would have to put up their shield.

 

[Bison]

Two-handed weapons, and one-handed weapons used in two hands, added 1.5x Str bonus to damage in both 3E and 3.5.

You're possibly thinking of 2-for-1 Power Attack, which only existed in 3.5.

-Hyp.

Power attack still gets better for two handed weapons vs one handed.