Huge Warhammer wielded by Medium Character

[Fangor the Fierce]

Ok, it appears that I have run across a Huge Warhammer after defeating a Fire Giant. Question is, since I am medium, and have the strength, when I wield the weapon, taking a nice -4 to hit as per the wielding larger weapons rule, would I be granted reach, since the weapon is huge?

Just thought I would ask, as with Large Warhammer, I would definitely say no, but with Huge, I could possibly see a possibility.

 

[Infiniti2000]

No. Only Reach weapons grant reach. Furthermore, you cannot wield a Huge warhammer. The best you could do is wield a Large warhammer as a two-handed weapon with the appropriate penalty.

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

No. Only Reach weapons grant reach. Furthermore, you cannot wield a Huge warhammer. The best you could do is wield a Large warhammer as a two-handed weapon with the appropriate penalty.

That's where me getting enlarged all the time comes into play, I believe. So if I were then large, I would simply take the -2 penalty, and wield as two handed or single handed?

 

[rowport]

No. Only Reach weapons grant reach. Furthermore, you cannot wield a Huge warhammer. The best you could do is wield a Large warhammer as a two-handed weapon with the appropriate penalty.

I think he could take Monkey Grip and use the Huge weapon with a -4 penalty. Why he would do that, I have no idea.

 

[AuraSeer]

You can't use it, it's too big.

Each increase in size category increases the amount of effort required for the weapon. A Medium warhammer is a one-handed weapon for you, a Large warhammer is two-handed, and a Huge warhammer would require more than two hands. Unless you have a special feat, or more than two arms, you cannot wield that hammer at all.

In any case, upsizing a weapon does not ever grant reach. It's not designed to be wielded like a spear, especially by a creature your size, so you are not able to take full advantage of its increased length. (Similarly, if you wield a larger-sized reach weapon, it doesn't give you any more reach than a regular reach weapon.)

[Edited to add]

Ah, I need to type faster, the mention of enlarge snuck in ahead of me.

If you are changed into a Large creature, you can wield the warhammer as a two-handed weapon with a -2 penalty to hit. It still does not grant you reach.

Note that you'll have to put down the hammer before you're targeted with the enlarge spell. If you're carrying it at casting time, it will increase in size along with the rest of your gear, so you'll become a Large creature with a Gargantuan warhammer which you still can't use.

 

[Infiniti2000]

That's where me getting enlarged all the time comes into play, I believe. So if I were then large, I would simply take the -2 penalty, and wield as two handed or single handed?

As Large, you could wield it two-handed. As Large with monkey grip, you could wield it one-handed. In both cases, you take a -2 penalty. Note that this is for 3.5 rules, which I'm unsure if you're playing 3.5 or 3.0. Note further that the Fire Giant (a Large giant) had the same issue. This makes me believe you are using 3.0.

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

It's 3.5 rules, and yeah, tha Fire Giant had the same problem when he wielded it. Thanks for clearing it up. I will have to remember that I need to be large to use it, and its because it does some massive damage, as to why I would think of using it. 3d6+(STR mod x 1.5)

 

[IcyCool]

That's where me getting enlarged all the time comes into play, I believe. So if I were then large, I would simply take the -2 penalty, and wield as two handed or single handed?

A warhammer is a one-handed weapon. A warhammer one size category larger than its wielder is a two-handed weapon. A warhammer two size categories larger than its wielder is unusable without monkey grip (which would let you use it as a two-handed weapon at a penalty).

If you manage to get yourself to large size, you could wield a huge warhammer as a two handed weapon at a -2 penalty. If you are carrying the huge warhammer when you get hit with an Enlarge Person spell, the spell affects your equipment and the warhammer bumps up to gargantuan. So make sure you drop the warhammer before you get enlarged.

 

[interwyrm]

Get enlarged, get monkey grip, and wield a gargantuan warhammer. (?!?)

 

[Infiniti2000]

It's 3.5 rules, and yeah, tha Fire Giant had the same problem when he wielded it. Thanks for clearing it up. I will have to remember that I need to be large to use it, and its because it does some massive damage, as to why I would think of using it. 3d6+(STR mod x 1.5)

I don't agree that it's massive damage. Hitting more often at 2d6+(STR x 1.5) might be at least equivalent, if not stronger, than what you intend. It also doesn't require you to drop the weapon and then pick it up again. That weapon is gonna be really heavy, too, taking a lot of your Medium characters encumbrance allowance.