Bastard Sword, am I reading this correctly?

[RigaMortus]

Technically a Bastard Sword is an exotic weapon, but under the descrition it says that "A Medium-size character can use a bastard sword two-handed as a martial weapon". So does this mean it is only an exotic weapon if you plan to use it in one hand?

 

[Crothian]

Technically a Bastard Sword is an exotic weapon, but under the descrition it says that "A Medium-size character can use a bastard sword two-handed as a martial weapon". So does this mean it is only an exotic weapon if you plan to use it in one hand?

Correct

 

[Dagger75]

Technically a Bastard Sword is an exotic weapon, but under the descrition it says that "A Medium-size character can use a bastard sword two-handed as a martial weapon". So does this mean it is only an exotic weapon if you plan to use it in one hand?

Yuppers.

But how many 1 handed swords do 1d10 points of damage.

All the fighters in my group have this feat now. Does that mean its broookkkeeeennnn.

 

[James McMurray]

Nope, just means that your fighters' players are unimaginative.

 

[Crothian]

Nope, just means that your fighters' players are unimaginative.

Now that's funny.

 

[Roland Delacroix]

Technically a Bastard Sword is an exotic weapon, but under the descrition it says that "A Medium-size character can use a bastard sword two-handed as a martial weapon". So does this mean it is only an exotic weapon if you plan to use it in one hand?

No. It means that it is ALWAYS a medium sized Exotic weapon. A medium creature can use it as a martial weapon in two hands, though.

The difference is usually only important when dealing with Small creatures.

 

[Li Shenron]

It's a medium-sized Exotic weapon. If you are medium-sized you can use it both in 1 or 2 hands, with 100% and 150% Str bonus respectively. You need an Exotic weapon proficiency to use it; HOWEVER if you are proficient with all martial weapons, you are considered proficient with the bastard sword ONLY if you use it in 2 hands (not even with -4 you use it with 1).

If you are small you can use it with both hands only, for size reasons: if you are proficient with all martial weapons, you are proficient with it (and you can't have benefits from taking the exotic proficiency). Instead, if you are not proficient with all martial weapons, you become proficient with it if you take an exotic w.p.

Messy explanation, isn't it?

The B.S. is definitely better than the longsword, with which it shares the versatility of being medium-size (if you are medium-size of course), and thus it costs one feat to use it in the sameway. Without the full prof. it works like the greatsword (2 handed only) which is better.

 

[Numion]

Re: Re: Bastard Sword, am I reading this correctly?

All the fighters in my group have this feat now. Does that mean its broookkkeeeennnn.

No. It means your players can't minmax properly. Two-handed weapons are better. If one-handed weapon should be required, it should be a scimitar. Imp. critical + keen = damage.

 

[CRGreathouse]

If you are small you can use it with both hands only, for size reasons: if you are proficient with all martial weapons, you are proficient with it

False. A Small character wielding a bastard sword needs Exotic Weapon Proficiency or he/she suffers -4 on his/her attack rolls. (I agree that a Small character must wield it with two hands, though.)

 

[James McMurray]

Two-handed weapons are better

If all you care about is damage. If however, you would like to also make it through the fight unscathed, then the 1.5 points + 1/2 strength of average damage you lose out switching from greatsword to bastard sword is worth the AC boost you can gain from a shield.