Halflings and two-handed swords

[hong]

(2) How in the name of Yondalla do you think a three-foot halfling is going to swing a five-and-a-half to six-and-a-half foot sword, anyway? What a goofy visual ...

Probably in exactly the same way that Cloud from FF7 manages to swing that sheet of siding he calls a "sword".

 

[Darklone]

Probably in exactly the same way that Cloud from FF7 manages to swing that sheet of siding he calls a "sword".

I visualize this kinda the good old hammer of dwarf throwing... the hammer throws the dwarf.

 

[Christian]

And, to answer Mondrin's second question, it's because a bastard sword does 1d10, which is more than 1d8 or 2d4. (Only half a point more, on average, than 2d4, but a two-point higher maximum in either case.)

I, like the others above, also don't see any reason to introduce a 'halfling greatsword' with the weapon-sizing rules. The longsword fills that role quite nicely ...

 

[Mondrin]

As I run a campaign with some degree of realism, I agree that there is no way for a 3.5 ft halfling to wield a 6 ft sword. The Longsword is the normal choice as it is about 3ft long which would be like a 6ft human using the 6ft greatsword.

Now...a dwarf can use a greatsword. I didn't check the height of a dwarf but 4.5 ft comes to mind. Yes they weigh more so that could balance the 6 ft blade, but it would still be interesting to see how they carry the thing.

Given the above, why couldn't a halfling use a bastard sword 2 handed? It's four feet long so would be like a dwarf or elf using a greatsword. I would rule that the halfing would need the Exotic weapon prof to do so.

Are these assumptions crazy?

 

[Henrix]

Are these assumptions crazy?

No, you're assumptions are correct, and in accordance with the rules and current FAQ.

 

[Christian]

Given the above, why couldn't a halfling use a bastard sword 2 handed? It's four feet long so would be like a dwarf or elf using a greatsword. I would rule that the halfing would need the Exotic weapon prof to do so.

Just to clarify: the bastard sword is a Medium Exotic weapon. There is a special subrule stating that a size Medium character can wield the sword two-handed with a Martial weapon proficiency. The situation, per the standard rules, is that:

With Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), a Medium character can wield the bastard sword with one (or two) hand(s), and a Small character only with two hands. Without the EWP, a character wielding a bastard sword (again, a Medium character using it one *or* two handed, or a Small character using it two-handed) suffers a -4 non-proficiency penalty on attack rolls.

Then you add in the special exception, which will let a Medium character use the bastard sword two-handed without penalty if he has Martial Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword).

OK?

 

[Vocenoctum]

the downsized 2d4 greatsword would be a longsword basicly, why invent a needless new weapon?. the only thing i hate about the smaller races is the speed issue.

Come on, nothing beats a gnome barbarian

 

[Mondrin]

Thanks everyone. I'm sure my player will be happy with the bastard sword. Even though the rules are stacked against him, he is still going to make his halfling tank. Should be fun, and he's got good character background.