Double Weapon questions

[Skornn2k7]

I am curious about a few things concerning double weapons in the AV. I know they count as two weapons so you can use powers that do 2 attacks, but do they also get +1 AC from taking two-weapon defense ? I know the double weapons are defensive, so they get an innate +1 AC, but the feat says you must have 2 weapons to qualify for the feat. I have some players saying it works with feat.

If it does, I find it pretty much makes sword and shield obsolete, you can get +2AC from taking feat, and getting defensive from the weapon. Why would you ever take sword and shield ? You can get 2 attacks, and still get the +2 to your AC.

thanks for the help in advance, as always you guys are great help.

Sk

 

[abyssaldeath]

Yes the +1 from defensive stacks with TWD. The reason you would use a shield is there are a bunch of good powers and feats the work with shields and the heavy shield gives an extra +1 to you reflex save.

 

[Mengu]

While feats are cheap, they are not unlimited, getting a double weapon proficiency, two weapon fighing, and two weapon defense is 3 feats. Shield proficiency is free for the defender classes. For instance in place of those 3 feats, you could just as easily get Bastard Sword, Weapon Focus, and Toughness, giving you essentially better offense (due to the higher damage die comparing bastard sword to doublesword) and better defense (due to more hit points and additional reflex defense).

 

[cmbarona]

Why would you ever take sword and shield ? You can get 2 attacks, and still get the +2 to your AC.

I'm confused by this particular (underlined) statement. From where are you getting the 2 attacks? Double weapons don't multiply one's melee basic attack by themselves.

 

[abyssaldeath]

I'm confused by this particular (underlined) statement. From where are you getting the 2 attacks? Double weapons don't multiply one's melee basic attack by themselves.

You're right that they don't multiply your attack by themselves. However, he said "You can get 2 attacks and still get +2 to AC".

The Fighter and the Ranger both have at-will powers that give you 2 attacks. So with those powers, a Double Weapon and TWD you get 2 attacks and a +2 to AC.

Edit: I also forgot about the Epic feat that gives you an off-hand attack for OA's if you hit with your main hand.

 

[cmbarona]

Ah, gotcha. I suppose it does give those bonuses more efficiently if that's what you're looking for.

 

[Tony Vargas]

And HBO would work for a ranger or tempest fighter with doublesword, too, letting you use those two-attack at-wills for OAs at Paragon.

It does seem like the tempest, TWD, HBO, and doubleswords are heading for a bit of a 'perfect storm.'

 

[eamon]

A shield wielder gets Tide of Iron, which is a very attractive at will, and is still +1 reflex up. Also there are feats such as Shield Defense, which can situationally increase your ac/ref by yet another, and feats such as shield push, which are pretty good.

 

[DracoSuave]

Not to mention, Shield Specialization which gives the shield user another +1 reflexes as well as the +1 AC.

 

[eamon]

Not to mention, Shield Specialization which gives the shield user another +1 reflexes as well as the +1 AC.

But scale specialization is much more attractive, open to anyone using scale, and doesn't stack. In general, shield specialization is a niche feat even for shield-wielders.