Can you use a lance two-handed while mounted?

[Mordane76]

So who is gonna be the first smart-azz to create a character using two lances on horseback (with relevant TWF feats) power attacking with both of them?

Ugh.

I would personally stab the PLAYER who did this with a lance just for the statement of irony.


Overall, though, I don't think it really matters, as long as the above idea is summarily drawn and quartered if it appears. In the grand scheme of things, I would allow the one-handed wielding of a lance with PA for a player, simply because on the battlefield, I'm not going to attack the rider... I'm attacking the horse, who generally has FAR LESS HP than the rider does. If the rider doesn't have a horse, then this point will be moot post haste.

 

[Artoomis]

Intent vs. Rules vs. Big Bad Lance

The strict language of the rules supports a Lance being a "two-handed weapon" that can be wielded in one hand when mounted.

The rules do not specify if that changes any other rules, like Power Attack. Normally, that would mean that the other rules are unaffected. That would seem to mean that you get all the benefits of a two-handed weapon while wielding it only one hand.

That would mean that, by strict reading of the rules:

1. You could Power Attack for double the bonus like a two-handed weapon.
2. You could use one in each hand, taking the appropriste two-weapon fighting penalties.

I am the first to admit that the mounted lance wielder is supposed to be a really, really scary opponent and I also would not that it takes quite a few feats to fully realize the potential of this combination. This would support, in general, allowing Power Attack to work as if the lance were a "two-handed weapon."

Second, I wonder if using two lances is any sillier than using two whips or two spiked shields? I'd say either allow all three or diallow them all as being too "over-the-top."

Okay, now how about the two-handed weapon Power Attack bonus? By the rules, it's allowed, that's clear. Should it be? Well that depends on intent.

Clearly, Power Attack was intended for weapons wielded in two hands, for it covers a one-handed weapon wielded in two hands. By implication, a two-handed weapon wielded in one hand should not be covered.

So, by my analysis:

The rules, as written, support wielding two lances while mounted and getting the extra tow-handed weapon bonus from Power Attack.

Allowing the wielding of two lances is silly, but no sillier than allowing two spiked shields or two whips. Allow them all, or disallow them all.

The two-handed bonus for Power Attack should not apply - the intent seems pretty clear, even if the very strict reading of language allows it.

 

[two]

A one-handed lance power-attack followed up by a shield bash (damage many times multiplied) works too. I guess.

You know, lance-n-shield.

They won't expect you to BASH with it.

 

[Artoomis]

A one-handed lance power-attack followed up by a shield bash (damage many times multiplied) works too. I guess.

You know, lance-n-shield.

They won't expect you to BASH with it.

That works for a full attack, but not for a charge, of course.

 

[ForceUser]

The two-handed bonus for Power Attack should not apply - the intent seems pretty clear, even if the very strict reading of language allows it.

I agree. Nowhere does it say that you are exempt from the normal rules for Power Attack - wielding the lance one-handed on horse means you have one-handed PA damage. That's fine, you're still doing double, triple, or even quadruple damage with a charge, depending on feats and prestige classes.

 

[Camarath]

Allowing the wielding of two lances is silly, but no sillier than allowing two spiked shields or two whips. Allow them all, or disallow them all.

Just what is so silly about dual wielding these weapons? I personally see nothing wrong with dual wielding these weapons especially two Whips.

The two-handed bonus for Power Attack should not apply - the intent seems pretty clear, even if the very strict reading of language allows it.

Well in this case it appears that wile they may have intended from the rules to work that way they did not succeeding in actually writing them that way. I guess no one thought about just how the new Power Attack rules and the new Lance rules would work together. But who can blame them they had important things to do like breaking Freedom of Movement and repeatedly stabbing me in the face with it.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Nowhere does it say that you are exempt from the normal rules for Power Attack - wielding the lance one-handed on horse means you have one-handed PA damage.

That's not in the normal rules for Power Attack.

The rules for Power Attack:

A Light weapon: 0/1
A One-Handed weapon wielded in one hand: 1/1
A One-Handed weapon wielded in two hands: 2/1
A Two-Handed weapon: 2/1

A Lance is a Two-Handed weapon, even wielded in one hand while mounted. Therefore, 2/1 is "the normal rules for Power Attack".

(Anyone notice that a Whip - One-Handed melee weapon - wielded in two hands qualifies for 2/1 Power Attack? It can do 41 Damage, plus 1.5x Str bonus... unless the opponent is wearing padded armor... )

-Hyp.