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<blockquote data-quote="pemerton" data-source="post: 6326797" data-attributes="member: 42582">Does the GWF rule apply to each individual die of a 2d6 weapon? (That would seem to be the most natural reading.)The expected value for 1d12 with GWF is 5/6 * 7.5 + 1/6 * 6.5 = (37.5 + 6.5)/6 = 44/6 = 7 1/3.The expected value for 1d6 with GWF is 2/3 * 4.5 + 1/3 * 3.5 = (9 + 3.5)/3 = 12.5/3 = 4 1/6. So the expected damage for a GWF greatsword is 8 1/3.When this last came up, the greater spike damage of 1d12 was said to be its benefit over 2d6.The likelihood of 12 damage with a 1d12 and GWF is 5/6 * 0.1 + 1/6 * 1/12 = 1/12 + 1/72 = 7/72 which is a little less than 1 in 10.The likelihood of a 6 with a 1d6 and GWF is 2/3 * 0.25 + 1/3 * 1/6 = 1/6 + 1/18 = 4/18 = 2/9. So the likelihood of getting two of them is 4/81 which is a little less than 1 in 20.Unmodified, the chances of spike damage are 1 in 12 and 1 in 36. So GWF changes the odds of spike damage from 3:1 in favour of the axe, to around 2:1.I don't really think this adds much to the game.If you interpret GWF as applying to a greatsword only on snake eyes, then the expected damage value is 35/36 * 250/35 + 1/36*7 = 257/36 = 7 5/36. This is probably better balanced, so maybe GWF should be interpreted along these lines.Another thing that puzzled me about fighting styles is why 2WF adds a stat bonus to damage, but duelling adds only a flat +2. Is the rationing of the 2WF attack as a bonus action a significant consideration? Other than second wind, what are the bonus actions a fighter might want to take?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="pemerton, post: 6326797, member: 42582"] Does the GWF rule apply to each individual die of a 2d6 weapon? (That would seem to be the most natural reading.) The expected value for 1d12 with GWF is 5/6 * 7.5 + 1/6 * 6.5 = (37.5 + 6.5)/6 = 44/6 = 7 1/3. The expected value for 1d6 with GWF is 2/3 * 4.5 + 1/3 * 3.5 = (9 + 3.5)/3 = 12.5/3 = 4 1/6. So the expected damage for a GWF greatsword is 8 1/3. When this last came up, the greater spike damage of 1d12 was said to be its benefit over 2d6. The likelihood of 12 damage with a 1d12 and GWF is 5/6 * 0.1 + 1/6 * 1/12 = 1/12 + 1/72 = 7/72 which is a little less than 1 in 10. The likelihood of a 6 with a 1d6 and GWF is 2/3 * 0.25 + 1/3 * 1/6 = 1/6 + 1/18 = 4/18 = 2/9. So the likelihood of getting two of them is 4/81 which is a little less than 1 in 20. Unmodified, the chances of spike damage are 1 in 12 and 1 in 36. So GWF changes the odds of spike damage from 3:1 in favour of the axe, to around 2:1. I don't really think this adds much to the game. If you interpret GWF as applying to a greatsword only on snake eyes, then the expected damage value is 35/36 * 250/35 + 1/36*7 = 257/36 = 7 5/36. This is probably better balanced, so maybe GWF should be interpreted along these lines. Another thing that puzzled me about fighting styles is why 2WF adds a stat bonus to damage, but duelling adds only a flat +2. Is the rationing of the 2WF attack as a bonus action a significant consideration? Other than second wind, what are the bonus actions a fighter might want to take? [/QUOTE]

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