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Ambidexterity in 3.5
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<blockquote data-quote="RandomPrecision" data-source="post: 2109001" data-attributes="member: 29267"><p>I was thinking about the strength modifiers for TWF - and KaeYoss, you're wrong in your analogy. TWF characters get 1x for their primary hands and .5x for their off-hands, while THF characters get 1.5x for all of their attacks - this isn't equal. Every attack made by a THF has 1.5x strength bonus. Some attacks made by a TWF have 1x, and some (how many depends on TWF, ITWF, GTWF, or the epic PTWF) have .5x, meaning that the average modifier for a TWF is below 1x. Right now, an epic character with PTWF has an average strength modifier of .75x. But, I don't think it's right that TWF should only receive half the strength benefit of a THF. Keep in mind that TWF typically don't even have much of a strength modifier, since the two-weapon feats require decent to high dexterity scores.</p><p></p><p>Unlike many others, I don't think ambidexterity should reduce two-weapon fighting penalties at all. Fighting with two-weapons is more difficult than just one (this is coming from someone who's handwriting is indistinguishable from one hand to the other, but who could probably use one sword better than two). Furthermore, light weapons would probably be easier to use. There is a feat, Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting in the Complete Warrior book that allows greater than light weapons to be used in the off-hand while still receiving the light weapon penalties.</p><p></p><p>I think ambidexterity should eliminate anything related to having an off-hand. That is, attacks with either hand receive the full benefit of the strength modifier, making TWF as viable as normal combat, but still not receiving the strength bonus of THF (which retains the 1.5x modifier - it isn't stated anywhere that this is because 1x + .5x = 1.5x - it just represents more strength than using one hand). Normal TWF fighting penalties still apply - the ambidexterous character chooses which weapon they are focusing on. An untrained yet ambidexterous two-weapon fighter gets -6 to hit on each attack with the weapon they focus on, and one attack at -10 with the other hand. The next round, they might choose to take -6 on each attack with the other weapon, and one -10 attack with the other. If the weapon they do not focus on is light, this is the equivalent of having a light off-hand weapon (penalties go to -4/-8). To gain more attacks with the weapon not focused on, the ambidexterous fighter must take ITWF and GTWF, as before. The only things that change are that neither hand has a strength penalty, and the player may choose which weapon to use as the primary weapon for TWF penalties.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RandomPrecision, post: 2109001, member: 29267"] I was thinking about the strength modifiers for TWF - and KaeYoss, you're wrong in your analogy. TWF characters get 1x for their primary hands and .5x for their off-hands, while THF characters get 1.5x for all of their attacks - this isn't equal. Every attack made by a THF has 1.5x strength bonus. Some attacks made by a TWF have 1x, and some (how many depends on TWF, ITWF, GTWF, or the epic PTWF) have .5x, meaning that the average modifier for a TWF is below 1x. Right now, an epic character with PTWF has an average strength modifier of .75x. But, I don't think it's right that TWF should only receive half the strength benefit of a THF. Keep in mind that TWF typically don't even have much of a strength modifier, since the two-weapon feats require decent to high dexterity scores. Unlike many others, I don't think ambidexterity should reduce two-weapon fighting penalties at all. Fighting with two-weapons is more difficult than just one (this is coming from someone who's handwriting is indistinguishable from one hand to the other, but who could probably use one sword better than two). Furthermore, light weapons would probably be easier to use. There is a feat, Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting in the Complete Warrior book that allows greater than light weapons to be used in the off-hand while still receiving the light weapon penalties. I think ambidexterity should eliminate anything related to having an off-hand. That is, attacks with either hand receive the full benefit of the strength modifier, making TWF as viable as normal combat, but still not receiving the strength bonus of THF (which retains the 1.5x modifier - it isn't stated anywhere that this is because 1x + .5x = 1.5x - it just represents more strength than using one hand). Normal TWF fighting penalties still apply - the ambidexterous character chooses which weapon they are focusing on. An untrained yet ambidexterous two-weapon fighter gets -6 to hit on each attack with the weapon they focus on, and one attack at -10 with the other hand. The next round, they might choose to take -6 on each attack with the other weapon, and one -10 attack with the other. If the weapon they do not focus on is light, this is the equivalent of having a light off-hand weapon (penalties go to -4/-8). To gain more attacks with the weapon not focused on, the ambidexterous fighter must take ITWF and GTWF, as before. The only things that change are that neither hand has a strength penalty, and the player may choose which weapon to use as the primary weapon for TWF penalties. [/QUOTE]
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