Exotic Weapon Master question.

[IcyCool]

A player in my game has had his character die and has asked me the question below. My question is, is his interpretation correct?

The Exotic Weapons Master has a stunt that reads :

Uncanny Blow :

When wielding a one-handed exotic weapon in two hands, the character can focus the power of his attacks so he deals damage equal to his Strength Bonus x2 instead of x1-1/2.
If he has the Power Attack feat, he treats the weapon as two handed for the purposes of determining his bonus on damage rolls.

My question - If I have this ability and am wielding a Bastard Sword in one hand, do I get 2:1 for the purposes of power attack ? The first ability is garbage, whee you can do somthing you could already do! But the second line indicates you could use the one-handed exotic weapon in one hand, and power attack exchange as if it were two handed.

 

[The Iron Mark]

I believe it is. BTW, the first part of the ability isn't garbage, as it is not something you could already do. Note that the second part of the ability is a full new sentence, and makes no mention of only working when wielded in two hands. If it did, then that part would actually be garbage, because that would be doing something you already can do.

 

[IcyCool]

I believe it is. BTW, the first part of the ability isn't garbage, as it is not something you could already do. Note that the second part of the ability is a full new sentence, and makes no mention of only working when wielded in two hands. If it did, then that part would actually be garbage, because that would be doing something you already can do.

I'm fairly certain that you only get the 2:1 power attack exchange if the weapon you are using is considered a two-handed weapon. In other words, power attacking with a longsword held in two hands will still only get you 1:1.

 

[Grogtar]

From the official Main 3.5 FAQ :

Question :
You can get a host of benefits from wielding a twohanded
weapon, such as 1-1/2 times your Strength bonus on
damage (and twice your damage bonus from the Power
Attack feat) and a +4 bonus on your opposed attack roll if
someone tries to disarm you. So when is a weapon “twohanded?”
For example, a lance is a two-handed weapon,
right? But you can wield it in one hand when you’re
mounted. Since the weapons table shows that a lance is a
two-handed weapon, I get all the two-handed benefits no
matter how I wield the lance, right?

Answer :
Wrong. Table 7–5 in the Player’s Handbook lists weapons
as light, one-handed, or two-handed strictly as a matter of
convenience. These size categories are always relative to the
wielder’s size, as explained in some detail in the section on
weapon size on page 113 in the Player’s Handbook (also see
next question).
When the combat rules speak of “two-handed” weapons,
they’re referring to how the weapon is being used. A Medium
character using a Medium longsword in two hands is using a
“two-handed” weapon. The same character using a Medium
lance in one hand while mounted is using a one-handed
weapon. Light weapons are an exception. If you wield a light
weapon in two hands you get no advantage on damage (see
page 113 in the Player’s Handbook). Likewise, you always
take a –4 penalty on your opposed roll when you’re wielding a
light weapon in a disarm attempt (when someone tries to
D&D FAQ v.3.5 18 Update Version: 08/24/05
disarm you or you try to disarm someone) regardless of
whether you wield it one- or two-handed.

 

[baeleg]

Here's how I read it.

1st ability: If you use your bastard sword in two hands, you get 2x Str bonus to damage, ie, with 18 Str you get +8 damage, not +6.

2nd ability: you always get 2:1 when power attacking with a one-handed exotic weapon. This counts when wielding the weapon one-handed or two-handed.

I read it that way because the 1st ability is clearly spelled out, and the second one seems to be implied from the separation of sentences.

This is the same thing The Iron Mark said. I'm just trying to spell it out more clearly.

In particular, regarding the OP: the first ability is not garbage. It lets you increase your damage bonus in a way normally not allowed.

 

[IcyCool]

I'm fairly certain that you only get the 2:1 power attack exchange if the weapon you are using is considered a two-handed weapon. In other words, power attacking with a longsword held in two hands will still only get you 1:1.

Narf, got that a bit backwards I did.

Special: If you attack with a two-handed weapon, or with a one-handed weapon wielded in two hands, instead add twice the number subtracted from your attack rolls.<snip>

The real question here is, does this ability let you treat a Bastard Sword wielded in one hand as a two-handed weapon for purposes of the Power Attack feat.

 

[Grogtar]

Narf, got that a bit backwards I did.



The real question here is, does this ability let you treat a Bastard Sword wielded in one hand as a two-handed weapon for purposes of the Power Attack feat.

I can't find any interpretation of the last line that could mean anything else. Could there be another meaning to it ?

 

[Deset Gled]

This ability is useless. Power Attack already works the way Uncanny Blow describes.

Furthermore, the FAQ is just plain wrong when it comes to dealing with weapon sizes.

 

[Grogtar]

This ability is useless. Power Attack already works the way Uncanny Blow describes.

Furthermore, the FAQ is just plain wrong when it comes to dealing with weapon sizes.

I understand you can rule 0 anything you want. But the FAQ is "Official" - isnt it ? Posted in the WOTC web site under "Game Rules"

To quote the web site :

Do you have questions about the D&D game rules? Download the official FAQ that best suits your needs. Each FAQ is presented in PDF format so that you can download it, print it, and take it to your game. They feature a date code in the footer so you can always be sure that you have the most current version.

 

[Deset Gled]

I understand you can rule 0 anything you want. But the FAQ is "Official" - isnt it ? Posted in the WOTC web site under "Game Rules"

To quote the web site :

Do you have questions about the D&D game rules? Download the official FAQ that best suits your needs. Each FAQ is presented in PDF format so that you can download it, print it, and take it to your game. They feature a date code in the footer so you can always be sure that you have the most current version.

"Official" has nothing to do with it (nor is "official" a defined game term). The reason is the Primary Source Rule, from the PHB Errata (and DMG errata as well, IIRC). The Primary Source rule is what tells you which answer to use when two "official" sources are in disagreement.

Errata Rule: Primary Sources

When you find a disagreement between two D&D® rules sources, unless an official errata file says otherwise, the primary source is correct. One example of a primary/secondary source is text taking precedence over a table entry. An individual spell description takes
precedence when the short description in the beginning of the spells chapter disagrees. Another example of primary vs. secondary sources involves book and topic precedence. The Player's Handbook, for example, gives all the rules for playing the game, for playing PC races, and for using base class descriptions. If you find something on one of those topics from the DUNGEON MASTER's Guide or the Monster Manual that disagrees with the Player's Handbook, you should assume the Player's Handbook is the primary source. The DUNGEON MASTER's Guide is the primary source for topics such as magic item descriptions, special material construction rules, and so on. The Monster Manual is the primary source for
monster descriptions, templates, and supernatural, extraordinary, and spell-like abilities.

Emphasis mine. The FAQ is in direct disagreement with the PHB on the subject of weapon sizes. But the PHB is the primary source, so it trumps the FAQ.