An idea I had about the bastard sword

[Mike Sullivan]

I had this idea for an exotic handaxe variant from the frozen north, which have a more strongly hooked blade and can be used as climbing tools, but... kinda goofy?

Y'mean an ice axe, or a primitive version thereof?

(http://www.ushba.com/catalog/altai.html)

Modern ice axes have long enough handles that they would be size medium weapons, but that's mainly so that they can double as walking sticks -- you don't need an ice axe to have a terribly long handle.

They're more like picks than hand-axes, though.

And they may not be used for climbing in the sense that you mean -- more for arresting a fall or for cutting snow/ice stairs than free wall climbing per se.

 

[Galethorn]

New idea...

Ok, it's a feat that comes after my previous one:

Hand and a Half Flurry [Fighter, General]
You can grab a Bastard Sword or Dwarven Waraxe
with both hands, and attack with great speed.

Prerequisites: Str 13+,
Martial Weapon Proficiency: Bastard sword / Dwarven Waraxe,
Hand and a Half Weapon Training, Base Attack Bonus +3

Benefit: When wielding a Bastard Sword or Dwarven Waraxe
two handed, you get one attack at your highest attack bonus,
but all attacks are at a -2 penalty.





Sure, this infringes a bit on the monk's flurry of blows, but doesn't Rapid Shot as well? To come after this, is:





Improved Hand and a Half Flurry [Fighter, General]
You are a master of the Hand and a Half Style.

Prerequisites: Str 13+, Martial Weapon Proficiency:
Bastard sword / Dwarven Waraxe,
Hand and a Half Weapon Training,
Hand and a Half Flurry, Base Attack Bonus +10

Benefit: Because of the great speed of your
swings, you can make a total of two extra attacks
at your highest attack bonus, but at a -4 penalty
to all attacks, or make one extra attack with
no penalty.






Basically, you end up with three feats that work together that result in a reason for using a Bastard Sword two-handed.

 

[Silver Griffon]

Bastard swords are great for spell casters. Get that two-handed damage one round and cast a spell with S component (only needs one hand) the next while still having your melee weapon in a position to make AoOs. Better yet, since I don't think switching from one-handed to two-handed takes an action (I could be wrong), use a quickened spell the same round you attack with the bastard sword two-handed. And then there's haste...
Of course, you probably have better things to do with that feat unless you multiclassed with fighter for the bonus feats.