Handedness

[Hypersmurf]

If someone can use a chair or a ladder or a bucket as an improvised weapon...

Certainly.

"To determine the size category and appropriate damage for an improvised weapon, compare its relative size and damage potential to the weapon list to find a reasonable match."

I'd let someone use a ladder as an improvised weapon, but it would be a two-handed weapon. I wouldn't let them use it in one hand, because I'd compare it to the weapon list to find a reasonable match, and the reasonable matches are all two-handed weapons.

When I compare the quarterstaff to the weapon list to find a reasonable match, the most reasonable one I can find is "quarterstaff", which is a two-handed weapon. So I would consider the improvised weapon, like the ladder, to be a two-handed weapon, and wouldn't allow it to be used effectively in one hand.

-Hyp.

 

[Zaruthustran]

Fair enough. I'd allow it. The rules for improvised weapon provide plenty of room for DM fiat.

And now for the obligatory and ultimately futile "calling-upon-RL-examples-to-help-with-rules-discussions" bit: I've seen plenty of fighters wield polearms with one hand. It's hard, but it can certainly be done.

Pick up a 6' length of dowel. Swing it over your head--one handed--upon a watermelon. Observe the result.

Sure, it's awkward. But sure as hell, it does damage. And no magical forcefield prevents you from attempting the swing.

-z

 

[mvincent]

You can try swinging it in one hand, but it will be ineffective. It will have no effect.

I'd allow it as an improvised club.

 

[Eltanin]

A similar question is asked about a cleric with a mace and a small shield. The small shield notes that you can hold an item in the same hand... so the cleric can, in theory, swap his mace to his shield hand (where he can't use it, but can hold it), cast his spell, and swap back. But what sort of action is the swap?

-Hyp.

We decided that if you are swapping as in the case described, it's a free action. I have a cleric in my game who likes to wear a shield, use a mace, and wield a wand too. So when she has mace and wand out, it's a move action to switch the two because both hands are occupied.

Eeep! First post.