The counter argument is, of course, what is a two-handed weapon?
is it simply what is on the list or is it how it is being used?
Also, some food for thought....
Can I use the feats if I don't have exotic weapon prof. with the Bastard Sword? but do I then lose them when I take that feat?
I feel that would apply.
Considering the definition of "One Handed Weapon" includes being able to wield them in 2 hands and the definition of "Two Handed Weapon" states that they can only be used in 2 hands (with special cases for bastards swords etc) then I think the definition comes from the weapon
I don't think the Bastard Sword would qualify as a two handed weapon for the purposes.
I'd have to disagree with the others who say that a longsword can't be used as a 2-handed weapon for the purposes of feats. Yes, it is a 1-handed weapon, but the rules clearly state that it can be wielded with two hands, thus making it while wielding it with two hands a 2-handed weapon, which would then qualify for all those feats.
No it doesn't make it a 2 handed weapon, it makes it a one handed weapon that you can wield with 2 hands. It doesn't change the type of weapon.
Just look to the rules again where I quoted that you can add 1 1/2x your strength bonus to your swings if you use the longsword with two hands, that's straight out of the RAW. Pretty simple and straight forward. You can use 2-handed weapons in one hand at penalties as well per RAW and you wouldn't be disqualified from using feats that require you to use a 1-handed weapon.
Note that the rule you quote is from the definition of a one-handed weapon, which is right above the definition of a two-handed weapon.
If a one handed weapon was meant to count as a two-handed weapon when wielded with both hands then I think they'd have written it as
"If you wield a 1 handed weapon with 2 hands then it is treated as a 2 handed weapon"
Combining that with the wording of Power Attack to me it's pretty clear that rules as written a one handed weapon wielded 2 handed does not qualify as a 2 handed weapon for the purposes of feats.
To me, the question of 1-handed or 2-handed is how you use it because there are rules to use 1-handed in 2 hands and 2-handed in 1 hand. If I was GM'ing the game it wouldn't be an issue. Ask your GM what he/she thinks and bring all the rules to their attention.
What rules let you use a two handed weapon of your own size in one hand in Pathfinder rather than D&D 3.x, other OGL or d20 games?
Note that the Bastard Sword & Dwarved Waraxe are both listed as exotic one handed weapons that count as martial weapons if used 2 handed. They are _not_ defined as two handed weapons.
If you read the RAW I posted above, you actually do get the benefit. The example is the 1 1/2x str bonus for using a longsword in 2 hands just like using a falchion or greatsword in 2 hands gets this bonus.
You get the 1 & 1/2 times strength modifier to damage, you do not change the type of the weapon.
The main difference between the 2 handed larger swords and the 1 handed longsword is the weight.
and size.
It takes LESS effort to wield a 1-handed weapon with 2 hands than a 2-handed weapon with 1 hand, hence there is no penalty for basically downgrading by using a 1-handed weapon with 2 hands as a 2-handed weapon.
You get the 1 & 1/2 times damage from str and on power attack, there is nothing that says that you change the type of the weapon.
If you want to argue something other than the wordings of the rules maybe the size and weight of the two handed weapons is a large part of how you can use them defensively in Shield of Swings and to beat back your opponent with Pushing Attack.
Now lets look at the two feats that were brought up:
Shield of Swings - When you take a full-attack action while wielding a two-handed weapon... This one I can see someone perhaps saying you need to have a specific weapon, but I'd still allow it because for all intents and purposes, you are using a two-handed weapon because you've stated that you are using your longsword as such.
Again, consider that the wording in Power Attack states explicitly that a one handed weapon wielded with 2 hands qualifies. This feat doesn't so the logical assumption is that rules as written it doesn't qualify.
Pushing Assault - When you hit a creature your size or smaller with a
two-handed weapon attack modified by the Power Attack feat... It doesn't say "two-handed weapon" alone, it says "two-handed weapon ATTACK," which means you CAN ATTACK with a 1-handed weapon in 2 hands.
you seem to be clutching at straws a bit on that one. A two-handed weapon is defined, so a two-handed weapon attack is an attack with a two-handed weapon.
I interpret the RAW to allow someone to use the 1h weapon in 2h for feats even if it isn't specifically written down - because for the purposes that you are using the longsword in 2 hands - it is indeed a 2-handed weapon that complies with all the prerequisites that you need (i.e. you are using it with 2 hands and are allowed to do so per the RAW!).
Except that it doesn't fit the definition of a 2 handed weapon in the rules and some feats do explicitly state that a 1 handed weapon used in both hands qualifies. Seeing as they've specifically stated that a 1 handed weapon wielded in 2 hands qualifies separately from saying that a 2 handed weapon qualifies then it's pretty clear that the 1 handed weapon used in both hands isn't meant to qualify as a two handed weapon and repeatedly stating that it is a 2 handed weapon doesn't make it so.
I'd say that if you get the 1.5x Strength modifier, you get the other benefits of wielding a two-handed weapon. I can't see why I'd keep them distinct.
RAW because the definition of 2 handed weapons is a list of weapons and the definition of 1 handed weapons is a list and because some feats specifically point out that a 1 handed weapon wielded with 2 hands qualifies for the benefit while others don't.
So the type of the weapon doesn't change because you wield it 2 handed and some feats limit their effect to 2 handed weapons. Hence RAW wielding a 1 handed weapon with 2 hands doesn't get you the benefit from some feats.
Now it could be that the wordings of the feats that don't mention 1 handed weapons used with 2 hands are mistakes but they've never been corrected and Furious Focus does call out the difference and comes from Advanced Player Guide like the 2 mentioned earlier in the thread where the difference isn't called out
It'd be a reasonable house rule that it does apply for feats but RAW I think it's pretty clear that it doesn't.
I wonder if the idea is that there should be some bonus for the two handed weapon wielder over the 1 handed weapon wielder because if you use a longsword you have the option of using a shield with it or you can use it two handed, a longsword base damage is av 4.5, a greatsword base damage is 7 (scimitar 3.5, falchion 5). Not a huge difference and you have all your weapon selected feats available on the one handed weapon whether you wield it 1 or 2 handed so you can shield up if needed and you're only sacrificing a couple of points of damage compared to the 2 handed weapon who loses all of his weapon selected feats if he starts to use a shield because he can't use his weapon. If the 1 handed weapon qualifies for all the feats that the 2 handed weapon does is the tradeoff to get a 2 handed weapon really enough of a benefit as all you're getting is a 1.5 to 2.5 points of damage on a hit?
