Vyvyan Basterd
Adventurer
This is my take. So I would allow a Swordmage using a Versatile weapon to attack two-handed, gaining the +1 damage, and then remove one hand from the weapon after the attack to benefit from the +3 to AC.
Cadfan's Comments on Everything 4e
- Thread starter Cadfan
- Start date
This is my take. So I would allow a Swordmage using a Versatile weapon to attack two-handed, gaining the +1 damage, and then remove one hand from the weapon after the attack to benefit from the +3 to AC.
Do you seriously believe that was the intention of the game designers? To allow you to get +1 damage from attacking two handed while also getting the benefits of attacking one handed?
I am pretty sure that this, and all other hand jiving, is a glitch. Because "real" heroes don't hold their weapons properly, then let go of them, then hold them again, every six seconds.
Vyvyan Basterd
Adventurer
I'm not sure of their intentions. But the proper way to hold a Versatile weapon is one-handed or two-handed. So I can easily imagine a fighting style that includes gripping your weapon with two hands when the opportunity to strike hard presents itself and to let loose of your weapon with your offhand when defending yourself. A swordmage can't gain this benefit from a 1-handed weapon that isn't versatile or a 2-handed weapon. So Versatile weapons fit the swordmage's fighting style well.
Yeah, and "real" heroes don't get "light armor" if they want good AC and good maneuverability at the same time, either. They save up for mithral.
It's not like the designers actually intended to allow you to add your Dex or Int bonus to your AC in "light armor" or anything.
You realize how silly that sounds? Quoting the rules and then saying that can't be what they intended?
Well, that first part is silly, seeing as how mithril is now little more then extra shiny metal... ;p
That One Guy
First Post
Great review. Thanks a bunch.
On minions, one could do the accidental Mearls method - use minions as bait.
And yeah, mithral is really different. Or at least... it isn't as incredibly awesome as it used to be.
I would let the jedi swing with two hands and then use the force to deflect attacks the rest of the time. ....swordmages.
But, I agree with Cad on a versatile fighter (+1 to ATK w/ versatile weapons?), or a feat for making versatile weapons better, would be rad.
On minions, one could do the accidental Mearls method - use minions as bait.
And yeah, mithral is really different. Or at least... it isn't as incredibly awesome as it used to be.
I would let the jedi swing with two hands and then use the force to deflect attacks the rest of the time. ....swordmages.
But, I agree with Cad on a versatile fighter (+1 to ATK w/ versatile weapons?), or a feat for making versatile weapons better, would be rad.
Its not silly at all.
Look, this is what you're envisioning- that every six seconds, the swordmage grabs his sword with both hands, attacks, then lets go with one hand to summon an arcane shield, then grabs his sword with both hands again to attack, then lets go... etc, etc, etc. Because apparently he gets attacked in regular six second intervals so that he can develop a style of combat that involves constantly moving his left hand back and forth over and over and over.
Seriously? It would make him look like a moron.
Its the D&D equivalent of FPS bunny-hopping.
Vyvyan Basterd
Adventurer
That's not what I envision. I don't view rounds as exact six second intervals where each combatant uses three action types. I envision a much more organic flow to combat. I envision the swordmage fighting with his sword in one hand or two hands as his attacks flow. When he sees that opening that allows a good solid hit he swings for the fences with both hands for maximum effect. When he realizes that he has left himself open to attack he reacts by conjuring an arcane shield (or whatever it is that gives the swordmage the added bonus for wielding a one-handed weapon).
Edit: I started DMing back in the 1E days when a round was 1 minute long! I long ago had to envision that the one attack/round was one opening per round and that there were actually many more sword thrusts, parries, slashes, etc in a single round than just one attack. Swing your arm in swinging-a-sword-like-fashion while starting to count "1 Mississippi", when you get to "6 Mississippi." You are the slowest sword fighter in history aren't you? That to me looks silly.
Earlier I justified the technique under the rules and thinking of the rules in a robotic sequence might form the picture you have in mind.
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Regardless of how long a round is defined as in the rules, I've always imagined that if there's only one attack roll per round then the character is actually weaving, feinting, and getting small nicks in. If a character has multiple attack rolls per round, as in 3.x D&D and many other systems, then more of the character's nicks can possibly be more serious injuries. I don't envision it as two robots going *Swing. miss......loading.................swing. Hit...............*
Hypersmurf
Moderatarrrrh...
Er... he does, doesn't he? His opponent swings an axe at him, then waits six seconds, then swings an axe at him again...
If you're envisioning the swordmage's routine happening in 6-second increments like a metronome, don't you have to extend the same conceit to everyone else in the combat?
-Hyp.
