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

[frankthedm]

Having looked over a fair amount of 4e material, it seems picking up a two handed weapon does not add the mileage to a high STR bonus as it did in 3E[x1.5]. Other than the Versatile weapon type, it seems the larger weapon damage die is the only source of extra damage fo using a two hander.

Does it seem like this is the case to other people?

 

[Daedrova]

What specific rules or examples do you see that indicate this?
At DDXP several groups I played with made the observation that “this characters ‘versatile weapon’ only does +1 damage when wielded two handed.”
I only had to point out that the characters’ Strength scores were not over 17. (3 * 1.5; round down)
I have seen nothing that indicates that two-handed weapons won’t work the same way in 4th ed.
Nor do I believe there is good reason for it to be changed.

 

[Larrin]

Have we seen that many two handed weapons? I suppose perhaps in the mini's from the new release with the 4e stats there is something, i haven't looked too hard, but they are all monsters and may not follow PC rules (ahhh the standard reply, completely unsatisfactory reply). Still, if they do remove that feature it isn' really the end of the world. bigger damage dice is really enough of a reason, and for fighters i'm betting plenty of powers require a two hander. Interesting point.

 

[Bishmon]

They've gotta do something, because I don't think a slightly larger damage die is going to equal a heavy shield offering +2 to both reflex and AC. And considering how easy it'd be to get another +2 to both with a cheap magic shield, and shields are looking very nice.

 

[jRocket]

Hey, maybe this means that the sword and shield will be a viable combination now!

 

[Emirikol]

God, I hope so. I thought it very annoying that the weapon already did more damage (even though it may have been the same as a one-hander..blade-wise) and then would double the strength.

Sounds like they finally thought out the fantasy-logic of it all and got it right.

jh

 

[Storminator]

They've gotta do something, because I don't think a slightly larger damage die is going to equal a heavy shield offering +2 to both reflex and AC. And considering how easy it'd be to get another +2 to both with a cheap magic shield, and shields are looking very nice.

Most likely, there will be various powers that will key off the two hander, and do a lot more damage.

PS

 

[Lacyon]

They've gotta do something, because I don't think a slightly larger damage die is going to equal a heavy shield offering +2 to both reflex and AC. And considering how easy it'd be to get another +2 to both with a cheap magic shield, and shields are looking very nice.

Killing a single enemy one round sooner due to a higher damage output prevents that enemy from using one full rounds worth of actions to hurt you.

I don't know if 4E's got the balance right or wrong, but I do know that it doesn't take all that much damage to swing from a 5-round kill to a 4-round kill.

 

[TerraDave]

Most likely, there will be various powers that will key off the two hander, and do a lot more damage.

PS

Thats my guess.

Some (many) classes won't use shield becuase they wont get sheild proficiency, but for those that do sword and board will probably be the defualt unless you have some powers or feats that key off the bigger weapons.

 

[Nahat Anoj]

I would be surprised if 2H weapons in 4e did the whole 1.5xStr thing. That bit of extra math seems to fly in the face of 4e's design philosophy IMO (and, personaly, I hope that it is dropped - it's a useless waste of brainpower IMO).