Double Weapons

[Uriel]

Folks, I'm thinking of makinga character using a double weapon, Orc battle axe or some such.

My Question is this...is there any Advantage over just using two weapons? You still need the two weapon feat, same str mods (full/half for off-hand). AND you need to spend a feat on Exotic (unless racial familiarity or similar). It doesn't seem worth it, really.


Feedback from anyone who uses them would be very appreciated.


-Uriel

 

[shilsen]

Being able to to use the double weapon two-handed for extra damage when you want, usually when able to make only a single attack in a round (e.g. when charging, having already moved, etc.).

 

[kreynolds]

My Question is this...is there any Advantage over just using two weapons?

Larger weapon, so it's easier to disarm with (if you're using it as a two-handed weapon). See page 155 of the PH (3.5), Disarm, Step 2: Opposed Rolls.

It's also worth nothing that while you do indeed have to spend a feat to be able to use a double-weapon (usually), most people using your own double-weapon against you will suffer penalties for doing so (they're probably not trained in it).

Versatility. It's nice to be able to use a double-weapon as a two-handed weapon to get that extra bit of damage when you need it.

I'm sure there are other benefits, but I can't think of any right now.

 

[AGGEMAM]

The biggest advantages I can see is:

1) It can be used just as two weapons gaining more attacks or better defense
2) You can it with one of the ends as a two-handed weapon gaining 1½ times strength bonus
3) You only have to draw one weapon
4) You're less likely to be disarmed
5) Either end of a dual weapon usually gives different types of damage

 

[Uriel]

I guess that you get damage type versatility as well.
Gnome pick hammer givs the option of piercing or bludgeoning etc...

Thanks, folks.
I would still appreciate anyone else's opinion as well, as my occassional forays here (from my addiction in the playing boards) always net helpful advice/info.


-Uriel

 

[kreynolds]

4) You're less likely to be disarmed

Apparently not in 3.5. Looks like you only get the +4 bonus on your disarm attempt, not someone else's (unless the wording is just that poor).

 

[AGGEMAM]

Apparently not in 3.5. Looks like you only get the +4 bonus on your disarm attempt, not someone else's (unless the wording is just that poor).

It's poorly worded. The bonus/penalty applies to both attacker and defender.

 

[kreynolds]

It's poorly worded.

That would be my assumption, but you know me and assumptions...I try not to be too hasty about making one. Anyway, has this been clarified by anyone as of yet?

 

[AGGEMAM]

Here is the paragraph in question:

Step 2: Opposed Rolls. You and the defender make opposed attack rolls with your respective weapons. The wielder of a two-handed weapon on a disarm attempt gets a +4 bonus on this roll, and the wielder of a light weapon takes a -4 penalty.

If it had been only affecting the attacker it would say: "If you are wielding ... ", not "The wielder ...".

This is especially clear if you take the precending sentence into account.

EDIT: Also ".. on a disarm attempt .." means when a disarm attempt occurs.

 

[Spatula]

Aside from the advantages already listed:
* It's a single weapon, so you only need to take the weapon feats once (weapon focus, specialization, improved crit, etc.). You do get the same benefit from using paired weapons, though, like 2 short swords.
* The off-hand does more damage! This is really the biggest reason IMO to use the exotic double weapons. A double axe does 1d8 (20/x3) on both hands, using the light off-hand weapon penalties. If you were to actually wield two battle axes, you'd get the same damage but be at -4 to hit on both hands, instead of -2.

The downside is that you have little chance of finding your chosen weapon as loot, and may have to have your weapon custom made and enchanted.