Armor Spikes question

[Urbanmech]

If a 4th lv Fighter is wielding a Reach weapon (glave, long spear etc.) and has armor spikes on his armor, what kind of penalties does he take if he attacks someone who is next to him? Does he suffer two weapon fighting penalties if he is holding the reach weapon, even if he didn't attack with it in the round?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

I rule no. But then, I also rule that you don't take the penalties associated with TWF if, in a given round, you only attack with one weapon or the other.

Some people believe that anytime you have the possibility to attack with multiple weapons, even if you don't, that you incur the penalties.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Some people believe that anytime you have the possibility to attack with multiple weapons, even if you don't, that you incur the penalties.

I figure you take the penalties "when you fight this way."

-Hyp.

 

[Greatwyrm]

Does he suffer two weapon fighting penalties if he is holding the reach weapon, even if he didn't attack with it in the round?

I'd say no. I don't think you take the penalties if you're holding two one-handed weapons, but only attacking with one. This wouldn't be so much different. But, if he's using a 2h weapon, how is he attacking with armor spikes in the first place?

 

[Hypersmurf]

But, if he's using a 2h weapon, how is he attacking with armor spikes in the first place?

Using the FAQ, I expect.

If you attack only with your armor spikes during your turn
(or use the armor spikes to make an attack of opportunity), you
use them just like a regular weapon. If you use the full attack
action, you can use armor spikes as either a primary light
weapon or as an off-hand light weapon, even if you’re using a
shield or using a two-handed weapon. In these latter two cases,
you’re assumed to be kicking or kneeing your foe with your
armor spikes.

Whenever you use armor spikes as an off-hand weapon,
you suffer all the penalties for attacking with two weapons (see
Table 8–10 in the Player’s Handbook). When using armor
spikes along with a two-handed weapon, it is usually best to
use the two-handed weapon as your primary attack and the
armor spikes as the off-hand weapon. You can use the armor
spikes as the primary weapon and the two-handed weapon as
the off-hand attack, but when you do so, you don’t get the
benefit of using a light weapon in your off hand.

You cannot, however, use your armor spikes to make a
second off-hand attack when you’re already fighting with two
weapons. If you have a weapon in both hands and armor spikes,
you can attack with the weapons in your hands (and not with
the armor spikes) or with one of the weapons in your hands and
the armor spikes (see the description of spiked armor in
Chapter 7 of the Player’s Handbook).

-Hyp.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

I figure you take the penalties "when you fight this way."

As do I - "when you fight this way" means "When you make a Full Attack, and make use of the Two-Weapon Fighting rules to gain extra attacks."

To some, as you probably know, "when you fight this way" means "when you fight with an off-hand weapon in hand."

 

[Urbanmech]

Thanks for the quick answers everyone. Now I can make a reach weapon using Barbarian and not worry about that pesky 5' open space that the reach weapon doesn't get and not have to take Exotic WP Spiked Chain.

 

[Hypersmurf]

To some, as you probably know, "when you fight this way" means "when you fight with an off-hand weapon in hand."

Strictly, "If you wield a second weapon in your off-hand" is the way it's worded

-Hyp.

 

[Tatsukun]

I rule that you can either...

1) Take the TWF penalty and attack with the spikes and contunue to threaten with the long spear.

2) Take no penalties, but then you are not threatening with the long spear.

-Tatsu

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

That's a pretty odd ruling, Tatsukun.

Care to give your rationale?