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<blockquote data-quote="Ketjak" data-source="post: 1143364" data-attributes="member: 1083">LuYangShih, you continue to ignore facts and base your argument on suppositions. This is not strictly true unless one assumes the character wielding two weapons has not taken the TWF feat. I'd much rather have a two-weapon wielding character with two +3 short swords than a one-weapon wielder with a single +4 short sword.Test it using short swords. Assume each character has the same STR and BAB and cancel out all character abilities that provide the same bonuses. The character class does not matter, but assume it's high enough to allow for a +2 BAB for the purposes of using Power Attack. In your first test, assume the character wielding one weapon took Iron Will (or Alertness, or some other non-combat feat) instead of Power Attack. Do that because it's better for that character; Power Attack makes it even worse for the one-weapon wielder.You'll find the following damage curves, unless our math is different. The one-weapon character has a +4 short sword, the two-weapon character has two +3 short swords. The damage is multiplied by two for the two-weapon wielder and he is calculated as having as -2 attack roll, as per TWF feat.AC, %success, enh 1wf att%, act 1wf dam, enh twf att%, act enh twf dam, best choice5, 0.8, 1, 7.5, 0.85, 11.05, TWF6, 0.75, 0.95, 7.125, 0.8, 10.4, TWF7, 0.7, 0.9, 6.75, 0.75, 9.75, TWF8, 0.65, 0.85, 6.375, 0.7, 9.1, TWF9, 0.6, 0.8, 6, 0.65, 8.45, TWF10, 0.55, 0.75, 5.625, 0.6, 7.8, TWF11, 0.5, 0.7, 5.25, 0.55, 7.15, TWF12, 0.45, 0.65, 4.875, 0.5, 6.5, TWF13, 0.4, 0.6, 4.5, 0.45, 5.85, TWF14, 0.35, 0.55, 4.125, 0.4, 5.2, TWF15, 0.3, 0.5, 3.75, 0.35, 4.55, TWF16, 0.25, 0.45, 3.375, 0.3, 3.9, TWF17, 0.2, 0.4, 3, 0.25, 3.25, TWF18, 0.15, 0.35, 2.625, 0.2, 2.6, ONE19, 0.1, 0.3, 2.25, 0.15, 1.95, ONE20, 0.05, 0.25, 1.875, 0.1, 1.3, ONE21, 0.05, 0.2, 1.5, 0.05, 0.65, ONE22, 0.05, 0.15, 1.125, 0.05, 0.65, ONE23, 0.05, 0.1, 0.75, 0.05, 0.65, ONE24, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF25, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF26, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF27, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF28, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF29, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF30, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWFOr in a formatted table:[code]AC&nbsp; &nbsp; one hit%|one dam|twf hit%|twf dam|best choice&nbsp; &nbsp; 5&nbsp; &nbsp; 1&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 7.5&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.85&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 11.05&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF6&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.95&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 7.125&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 10.4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF7&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.9&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 6.75&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.75&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9.75&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF8&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.85&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 6.375&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9.1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF9&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.8&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 6&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8.45&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF10&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.75&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 5.625&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.6&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 7.8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF11&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.7&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 5.25&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.55&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 7.15&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF12&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 4.875&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 6.5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF13&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.6&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 4.5&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.45&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 5.85&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF14&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.55&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 4.125&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 5.2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF15&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.5&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 3.75&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.35&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 4.55&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF16&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.45&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 3.375&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.3&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3.9&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF17&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.4&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 3&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3.25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF[b]18&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.35&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 2.625&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2.6&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ONE19&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.3&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 2.25&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.15&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1.95&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ONE20&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.25&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1.875&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1.3&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ONE21&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.2&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1.5&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ONE22&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.15&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1.125&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ONE23&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.1&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.75&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ONE[/b]24&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.375&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF25&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.375&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF26&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.375&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF27&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.375&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF28&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.375&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF29&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.375&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF30&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.375&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; TWF[/code]With Power attack it's even worse for the one-weapon wielder. Assume the character with Power Attack throws +2 attack into +2 damage:AC, pa enh, pa 1wf dam, enh twf att%, act enh twf dam, Best choice5, 0.9, 8.55, 0.85, 11.05, TWF6, 0.85, 8.075, 0.8, 10.4, TWF7, 0.8, 7.6, 0.75, 9.75, TWF8, 0.75, 7.125, 0.7, 9.1, TWF9, 0.7, 6.65, 0.65, 8.45, TWF10, 0.65, 6.175, 0.6, 7.8, TWF11, 0.6, 5.7, 0.55, 7.15, TWF12, 0.55, 5.225, 0.5, 6.5, TWF13, 0.5, 4.75, 0.45, 5.85, TWF14, 0.45, 4.275, 0.4, 5.2, TWF15, 0.4, 3.8, 0.35, 4.55, TWF16, 0.35, 3.325, 0.3, 3.9, TWF17, 0.3, 2.85, 0.25, 3.25, TWF18, 0.25, 2.375, 0.2, 2.6, TWF19, 0.2, 1.9, 0.15, 1.95, TWF20, 0.15, 1.425, 0.1, 1.3, PA121, 0.1, 0.95, 0.05, 0.65, PA122, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF23, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF24, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF25, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF26, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF27, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF28, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF29, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF30, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWFOr in a formatted table:[code]AC&nbsp; &nbsp; pa hit%|pa dam|twf att%|twf dam|best choice5&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.9&nbsp; &nbsp; 8.55&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.85&nbsp; &nbsp; 11.05&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF6&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.85&nbsp; &nbsp; 8.075&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.8&nbsp; &nbsp; 10.4&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF7&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.8&nbsp; &nbsp; 7.6&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.75&nbsp; &nbsp; 9.75&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF8&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.75&nbsp; &nbsp; 7.125&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.7&nbsp; &nbsp; 9.1&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF9&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.7&nbsp; &nbsp; 6.65&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; 8.45&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF10&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; 6.175&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.6&nbsp; &nbsp; 7.8&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF11&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.6&nbsp; &nbsp; 5.7&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.55&nbsp; &nbsp; 7.15&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF12&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.55&nbsp; &nbsp; 5.225&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.5&nbsp; &nbsp; 6.5&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF13&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.5&nbsp; &nbsp; 4.75&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.45&nbsp; &nbsp; 5.85&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF14&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.45&nbsp; &nbsp; 4.275&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.4&nbsp; &nbsp; 5.2&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF15&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.4&nbsp; &nbsp; 3.8&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.35&nbsp; &nbsp; 4.55&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF16&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.35&nbsp; &nbsp; 3.325&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.3&nbsp; &nbsp; 3.9&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF17&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.3&nbsp; &nbsp; 2.85&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.25&nbsp; &nbsp; 3.25&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF18&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.25&nbsp; &nbsp; 2.375&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.2&nbsp; &nbsp; 2.6&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF19&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.2&nbsp; &nbsp; 1.9&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.15&nbsp; &nbsp; 1.95&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF[b]20&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.15&nbsp; &nbsp; 1.425&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.1&nbsp; &nbsp; 1.3&nbsp; &nbsp; PA121&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.1&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.95&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; PA1[/b]22&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.475&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF23&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.475&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF24&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.475&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF25&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.475&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF26&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.475&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF27&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.475&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF28&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.475&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF29&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.475&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF30&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.475&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.05&nbsp; &nbsp; 0.65&nbsp; &nbsp; TWF[/code]If you increase the damage die (for large short swords), it gets worse for the one-weapon wielder by one AC. If you decrease the damage die (for small short swords) it gets better for the Power Attacker by one AC.You can add your STR bonus and BAB to any AC in this chart to determine which ACs you &quot;should&quot; be hitting to maximize your benefit with a short sword. Of course, no one-weapon wielding character should use a short sword, but I couldn't let LuYangShih's statement stand, since it is inaccurate.It is more accurate to say Barbarians are better cannons. The Fighter will almost always have a better AC. The Barbarian probably does more damage than the Fighter over a shorter period of time. At low levels, he can exceed the Fighter by using rage once or twice per day. The Fighter uses all of his abilities all the time.Which is better? The DMG calls for an average encounter to use 25% of a party's resources, so any campaign which sees more than 1 encounter including a BBN1-3 and a FTR 1-3 will see the BBN at a minor disadvantage for all but the encounter in which he rages. If the party includes a BBN and FTR 4, the BBN enjoys a slimmer advantage (the Fighter just got Weapon Specialization) for two encounters.Basically, if you have one or two encounters per day at low levels, play a Barbarian. This is especially true if you're playing a non-combat focused campaign. If you have more than that or are playing in a combat-centric game, you're probably better off being a Fighter.The Ranger is not better than a Fighter of equivalent level at ranged combat or two-weapon fighting except at 11th level or if the Ranger is facing a twice-favored enemy, thrice-favored after level 12. The Fighter keeps pace with combat feats.By second level, both have Rapid Shot. In fact, the Fighter had it at 1st if he took it instead of Precise Shot. The Ranger can't take Precise Shot until 3rd level. Both have Weapon Focus.By sixth level, the RGR and FTR have Manyshot. The RGR just got Dodge. The FTR also has Mobility and Weapon Specialization.By 11th level, the RGR has Improved Precise Shot and Mobility. The FTR has Greater Weapon Focus, Spring Attack, and Combat Expertise.By 12th level, the RGR has Spring Attack. The FTR has Whirlwind Attack and Greater Weapon Specialization. To keep pace with damage output against anyone the Ranger must have chosen the same favored enemy twice. To exceed the damage output of the Fighter at all, the Ranger must have chosen the same favored enemy three times.While the Fighter is mastering ranged combat, he's also mastering melee combat. While personally I think it's better to put his Weapon Focus, GWF, Weapon Specialization and GWS into melee combat, he could put them into ranged combat, thereby owning the ranged combat space.*cough*Which character is better at ranged combat again? <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile&nbsp; &nbsp; :)"&nbsp; data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />Finally, Rogues do not have staying power. The Rogue is not going to be able to deal with mobs rushing the spellcasters, and to use his special combat ability he must have a partner. The type of partner doesn't really matter. If the party faces undead, or constructs, or anything else with an immunity to criticals, the rogue's ability is reduced.In the meantime, look at that Fighter go!That's a baseless statement unless you're using a different definition of &quot;better&quot; than, say, Merriam-Webster does.The Fighter is all over combat. He has good qualities (combat abilities) in greater degree than anyone else.Frank, yesterday I asked for you to point these core classes out in the 3.5 core rulebooks. I looked again and didn't see them. Can you please help me find them?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Ketjak, post: 1143364, member: 1083"] LuYangShih, you continue to ignore facts and base your argument on suppositions. This is not strictly true unless one assumes the character wielding two weapons has not taken the TWF feat. I'd much rather have a two-weapon wielding character with two +3 short swords than a one-weapon wielder with a single +4 short sword. Test it using short swords. Assume each character has the same STR and BAB and cancel out all character abilities that provide the same bonuses. The character class does not matter, but assume it's high enough to allow for a +2 BAB for the purposes of using Power Attack. In your first test, assume the character wielding one weapon took Iron Will (or Alertness, or some other non-combat feat) instead of Power Attack. Do that because it's better for that character; Power Attack makes it even worse for the one-weapon wielder. You'll find the following damage curves, unless our math is different. The one-weapon character has a +4 short sword, the two-weapon character has two +3 short swords. The damage is multiplied by two for the two-weapon wielder and he is calculated as having as -2 attack roll, as per TWF feat. AC, %success, enh 1wf att%, act 1wf dam, enh twf att%, act enh twf dam, best choice 5, 0.8, 1, 7.5, 0.85, 11.05, TWF 6, 0.75, 0.95, 7.125, 0.8, 10.4, TWF 7, 0.7, 0.9, 6.75, 0.75, 9.75, TWF 8, 0.65, 0.85, 6.375, 0.7, 9.1, TWF 9, 0.6, 0.8, 6, 0.65, 8.45, TWF 10, 0.55, 0.75, 5.625, 0.6, 7.8, TWF 11, 0.5, 0.7, 5.25, 0.55, 7.15, TWF 12, 0.45, 0.65, 4.875, 0.5, 6.5, TWF 13, 0.4, 0.6, 4.5, 0.45, 5.85, TWF 14, 0.35, 0.55, 4.125, 0.4, 5.2, TWF 15, 0.3, 0.5, 3.75, 0.35, 4.55, TWF 16, 0.25, 0.45, 3.375, 0.3, 3.9, TWF 17, 0.2, 0.4, 3, 0.25, 3.25, TWF [b] 18, 0.15, 0.35, 2.625, 0.2, 2.6, ONE 19, 0.1, 0.3, 2.25, 0.15, 1.95, ONE 20, 0.05, 0.25, 1.875, 0.1, 1.3, ONE 21, 0.05, 0.2, 1.5, 0.05, 0.65, ONE 22, 0.05, 0.15, 1.125, 0.05, 0.65, ONE 23, 0.05, 0.1, 0.75, 0.05, 0.65, ONE [/b] 24, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 25, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 26, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 27, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 28, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 29, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 30, 0.05, 0.05, 0.375, 0.05, 0.65, TWF Or in a formatted table: [code] AC one hit%|one dam|twf hit%|twf dam|best choice 5 1 7.5 0.85 11.05 TWF 6 0.95 7.125 0.8 10.4 TWF 7 0.9 6.75 0.75 9.75 TWF 8 0.85 6.375 0.7 9.1 TWF 9 0.8 6 0.65 8.45 TWF 10 0.75 5.625 0.6 7.8 TWF 11 0.7 5.25 0.55 7.15 TWF 12 0.65 4.875 0.5 6.5 TWF 13 0.6 4.5 0.45 5.85 TWF 14 0.55 4.125 0.4 5.2 TWF 15 0.5 3.75 0.35 4.55 TWF 16 0.45 3.375 0.3 3.9 TWF 17 0.4 3 0.25 3.25 TWF [b] 18 0.35 2.625 0.2 2.6 ONE 19 0.3 2.25 0.15 1.95 ONE 20 0.25 1.875 0.1 1.3 ONE 21 0.2 1.5 0.05 0.65 ONE 22 0.15 1.125 0.05 0.65 ONE 23 0.1 0.75 0.05 0.65 ONE [/b] 24 0.05 0.375 0.05 0.65 TWF 25 0.05 0.375 0.05 0.65 TWF 26 0.05 0.375 0.05 0.65 TWF 27 0.05 0.375 0.05 0.65 TWF 28 0.05 0.375 0.05 0.65 TWF 29 0.05 0.375 0.05 0.65 TWF 30 0.05 0.375 0.05 0.65 TWF [/code] [u]With[/u] Power attack it's even worse for the one-weapon wielder. Assume the character with Power Attack throws +2 attack into +2 damage: AC, pa enh, pa 1wf dam, enh twf att%, act enh twf dam, Best choice 5, 0.9, 8.55, 0.85, 11.05, TWF 6, 0.85, 8.075, 0.8, 10.4, TWF 7, 0.8, 7.6, 0.75, 9.75, TWF 8, 0.75, 7.125, 0.7, 9.1, TWF 9, 0.7, 6.65, 0.65, 8.45, TWF 10, 0.65, 6.175, 0.6, 7.8, TWF 11, 0.6, 5.7, 0.55, 7.15, TWF 12, 0.55, 5.225, 0.5, 6.5, TWF 13, 0.5, 4.75, 0.45, 5.85, TWF 14, 0.45, 4.275, 0.4, 5.2, TWF 15, 0.4, 3.8, 0.35, 4.55, TWF 16, 0.35, 3.325, 0.3, 3.9, TWF 17, 0.3, 2.85, 0.25, 3.25, TWF 18, 0.25, 2.375, 0.2, 2.6, TWF 19, 0.2, 1.9, 0.15, 1.95, TWF [b] 20, 0.15, 1.425, 0.1, 1.3, PA1 21, 0.1, 0.95, 0.05, 0.65, PA1 [/b] 22, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 23, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 24, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 25, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 26, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 27, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 28, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 29, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF 30, 0.05, 0.475, 0.05, 0.65, TWF Or in a formatted table: [code] AC pa hit%|pa dam|twf att%|twf dam|best choice 5 0.9 8.55 0.85 11.05 TWF 6 0.85 8.075 0.8 10.4 TWF 7 0.8 7.6 0.75 9.75 TWF 8 0.75 7.125 0.7 9.1 TWF 9 0.7 6.65 0.65 8.45 TWF 10 0.65 6.175 0.6 7.8 TWF 11 0.6 5.7 0.55 7.15 TWF 12 0.55 5.225 0.5 6.5 TWF 13 0.5 4.75 0.45 5.85 TWF 14 0.45 4.275 0.4 5.2 TWF 15 0.4 3.8 0.35 4.55 TWF 16 0.35 3.325 0.3 3.9 TWF 17 0.3 2.85 0.25 3.25 TWF 18 0.25 2.375 0.2 2.6 TWF 19 0.2 1.9 0.15 1.95 TWF [b] 20 0.15 1.425 0.1 1.3 PA1 21 0.1 0.95 0.05 0.65 PA1 [/b] 22 0.05 0.475 0.05 0.65 TWF 23 0.05 0.475 0.05 0.65 TWF 24 0.05 0.475 0.05 0.65 TWF 25 0.05 0.475 0.05 0.65 TWF 26 0.05 0.475 0.05 0.65 TWF 27 0.05 0.475 0.05 0.65 TWF 28 0.05 0.475 0.05 0.65 TWF 29 0.05 0.475 0.05 0.65 TWF 30 0.05 0.475 0.05 0.65 TWF [/code] If you increase the damage die (for large short swords), it gets worse for the one-weapon wielder by one AC. If you decrease the damage die (for small short swords) it gets better for the Power Attacker by one AC. You can add your STR bonus and BAB to any AC in this chart to determine which ACs you "should" be hitting to maximize your benefit with a short sword. Of course, no one-weapon wielding character should use a short sword, but I couldn't let LuYangShih's statement stand, since it is inaccurate. It is more accurate to say Barbarians are better [i]cannons[/i]. The Fighter will almost always have a better AC. The Barbarian probably does more damage than the Fighter over a shorter period of time. At low levels, he can exceed the Fighter by using rage once or twice per day. The Fighter uses all of his abilities all the time. Which is better? The DMG calls for an average encounter to use 25% of a party's resources, so any campaign which sees more than 1 encounter including a BBN1-3 and a FTR 1-3 will see the BBN at a minor disadvantage for all but the encounter in which he rages. If the party includes a BBN and FTR 4, the BBN enjoys a slimmer advantage (the Fighter just got Weapon Specialization) for two encounters. Basically, if you have one or two encounters per day at low levels, play a Barbarian. This is especially true if you're playing a non-combat focused campaign. If you have more than that or are playing in a combat-centric game, you're probably better off being a Fighter. The Ranger is [u]not[/u] better than a Fighter of equivalent level at ranged combat or two-weapon fighting [i]except[/i] at 11th level or if the Ranger is facing a twice-favored enemy, thrice-favored after level 12. The Fighter keeps pace with combat feats. By second level, both have Rapid Shot. In fact, the Fighter had it at 1st if he took it instead of Precise Shot. The Ranger can't take Precise Shot until 3rd level. Both have Weapon Focus. By sixth level, the RGR and FTR have Manyshot. The RGR just got Dodge. The FTR also has Mobility and Weapon Specialization. By 11th level, the RGR has Improved Precise Shot and Mobility. The FTR has Greater Weapon Focus, Spring Attack, and Combat Expertise. By 12th level, the RGR has Spring Attack. The FTR has Whirlwind Attack and Greater Weapon Specialization. To keep pace with damage output against anyone the Ranger [i]must[/i] have chosen the same favored enemy twice. To exceed the damage output of the Fighter at all, the Ranger [i]must[/i] have chosen the same favored enemy three times. While the Fighter is mastering ranged combat, he's also mastering melee combat. While personally I think it's better to put his Weapon Focus, GWF, Weapon Specialization and GWS into melee combat, he could put them into ranged combat, thereby owning the ranged combat space. *cough* Which character is better at ranged combat again? :) Finally, Rogues do not have staying power. The Rogue is not going to be able to deal with mobs rushing the spellcasters, and to use his special combat ability he [i]must[/i] have a partner. The type of partner doesn't really matter. If the party faces undead, or constructs, or anything else with an immunity to criticals, the rogue's ability is reduced. In the meantime, look at that Fighter go! That's a baseless statement unless you're using a different definition of "better" than, say, Merriam-Webster does. The Fighter is all over combat. He has good qualities (combat abilities) in greater degree than anyone else. Frank, yesterday I asked for you to point these core classes out in the 3.5 core rulebooks. I looked again and didn't see them. Can you please help me find them? [/QUOTE]

Verification