D&D 4E 2 handed weapons do not seem to multiply STR bonus in 4E.

[Lord Sessadore]

3 * 5.5 = 13.5 average damage for the longsword.
6 * 3.5 = 21 average damage for the greatsword.

7.5 damage on a daily power is the equalizer?

That would be 3 * 4.5 = 13.5 for the longsword. Your math is right, but you typed the wrong numbers

Also, note that 7.5 damage is over half of what the longsword does. 150% is quite a bit better than 100%, I'd say.

Your encounter power damage would be better too.
2 * 4.5 = 9 avg longsword damage.
4 * 3.5 = 14 avg greatsword damage.

That's 5 extra damage for the greatsword every encounter, which is again over half the longsword's average damage.

Remember crits too: critting on a daily with longsword is 24+Str, critting on a daily with greatsword is 36+Str. Encounter power crits are 16+Str and 24+Str, respectively.

I'd say that's worth it. Add some two-handed fighter powers that let you add more damage on that, and you're golden.

 

[Revinor]

3 * 5.5 = 13.5 average damage for the longsword.
6 * 3.5 = 21 average damage for the greatsword.

7.5 damage on a daily power is the equalizer?

No, I expect to see at-will powers usable only with 2h weapons having some interesting effects. Interesting means damage.

 

[Lacyon]

3 * 5.5 = 13.5 average damage for the longsword.
6 * 3.5 = 21 average damage for the greatsword.

7.5 damage on a daily power is the equalizer?

7.5 damage on a daily power, 5 damage on an encounter power and 2.5 damage on an at-will power/basic attack.

Add it up over an entire combat. If it means that one creature dies in 4 rounds instead of 5, you've prevented roughly 20% of that creature's damage. A shield that gives you a +2 bonus to AC against a target that would have otherwise hit you on an 11+ also prevents about 20% of that creature's damage, but only if the creature chooses to target you every round.

 

[Fiendish Dire Weasel]

Heh, I was going to post what others beat me too already. Having a higher die type seems to be its own reward in 4E with most of the special attacks doubleing or tripleing the base die damage.

 

[Daedrova]

Well said, to everyone above. Higher damage tied to several different, possibly exclusive, powers may be the answer.

However, a couple questions/concerns - Why would a “versatile” weapon provide bonus damage when wielded with both hands, while an actual two-handed weapon would not?

Is there any other information to suggest that this is the case, other than the inconsistent information provided by the preview material gathered for the Monsters and More.pdf pointed to by Mentat55?

 

[Daedrova]

If a versatile weapon is wielded two handed, should the +1 damage increase proportionately for powers that multiply weapon damage as part of the effect? (i.e. 3[W]).

The longsword was versatile, correct?
3d8+3 would change the damage difference to only 4.5.

Should a versatile weapon be usable for “two-handed weapon ‘exclusive’” powers?

If it would not, is there any real benefit to wielding these weapons two-handed?
+1 damage would not result in killing an enemy in 4 rounds rather than 5, other than in a very low percentage of marginal cases.

 

[Lacyon]

Well said, to everyone above. Higher damage tied to several different, possibly exclusive, powers may be the answer.

However, a couple questions/concerns - Why would a “versatile” weapon provide bonus damage when wielded with both hands, while an actual two-handed weapon would not?

An actual two-handed weapon does more damage when wielded with both hands. 2d6 is greater than 1d8.

Is there any other information to suggest that this is the case, other than the inconsistent information provided by the preview material gathered for the Monsters and More.pdf pointed to by Mentat55?

Not really, no.

If a versatile weapon is wielded two handed, should the +1 damage increase proportionately for powers that multiply weapon damage as part of the effect? (i.e. 3[W]).

The longsword was versatile, correct?
3d8+3 would change the damage difference to only 4.5.

Should a versatile weapon be usable for “two-handed weapon ‘exclusive’” powers?

I would assume you are correct on both counts.

If it would not, is there any real benefit to wielding these weapons two-handed?
+1 damage would not result in killing an enemy in 4 rounds rather than 5, other than in a very low percentage of marginal cases.

Presumably, versatility is the main reason. If your shield is lost, stolen, or out of reach, you can partially (but not fully) make up the difference with a bit of extra damage. Not as much as a weapon designed for two-handed use, but enough to give you a bit of a bonus in a pinch.

 

[Lord Sessadore]

Presumably, versatility is the main reason. If your shield is lost, stolen, or out of reach, you can partially (but not fully) make up the difference with a bit of extra damage. Not as much as a weapon designed for two-handed use, but enough to give you a bit of a bonus in a pinch.

Assuming that the Str*1.5 when wielding a weapon 2-handed is gone, something like the versatility property is needed. It's odd to think that swinging a longsword with two hands is no different than swinging it with one hand, so you need something to represent that, even if it is minuscule.

Also, I don't think two-handed weapons need the versatility property (or an equivalent). True, it narrows the gap between two handed damage with a longsword and damage with a greatsword, but if you're wielding both two-handed you may as well go with the greatsword - you don't suffer any penalties for doing so (assuming proficiency in both). Barring feats/powers for fighting with a one-handed weapon and no shield (which are far more likely to involve the use of finesse and such things, not using both hands for power), using a one-handed weapon with two hands is subpar to actually wielding a two handed weapon.