I have to take a feat to wield an Elven Thinblade or Lightblade. Is it worth it?

[reveal]

My character is an Elven Swashbuckler/Fighter. He has Weapon Finesse, Improved Weapon Familiarity (Exotic Elven weapons are treated as Martial) and Two Weapon Fighting. Here's my conundrum.

The Elven Thinblade does 1d8 damage with a crit range of 18-20/x2. The Elven Lightblade does 1d6 damage with a crit range of 18-20/x2.

If I were to instead wield a Rapier and a Shortsword, the Rapier would do 1d6 with a crit range of 19-20/x2 and the Shortsword would do 1d6 with a crit range of 19-20/x2.

So... Knowing the differences in damage and crit ranges, is it "worth it" to take the IWF feat for those Elven weapons? Or are the numerical differences just too small to really mean anything?

 

[kolikeos]

i would choose the one with more damge in a hack an' slash game, but using the elven kish' sounds more stylish to me.

 

[DragonLancer]

From a rules perspective, looks better to stick with the thinblades, since each has better damage and better threat range.

 

[Ranger REG]

From a rules perspective, looks better to stick with the thinblades, since each has better damage and better threat range.

Only if you have a high enough Dex to compensate the -4 two-weapon fighting penalties on both hands (assuming you're using Weapon Finesse).

Otherwise, the thinblade-lightblade combo is your better choice.

 

[Saeviomagy]

So... Knowing the differences in damage and crit ranges, is it "worth it" to take the IWF feat for those Elven weapons? Or are the numerical differences just too small to really mean anything?

If I were you, I'd take that feat from (I think) complete warrior that gives you weapon familiarity with every "elven" weapon (ie all weapons with "elven" in the name are now martial weapons for you). Then you get both elven weapon proficiencies for the price of one.

Edit: Oops. Had a brain fart and read IWF as EWP. Doh.

Oh, and IMHO, a +1 crit range on one weapon, and a +1 average damage on the other is well worth a single feat.

 

[rangerjohn]

If I were you, I'd take that feat from (I think) complete warrior that gives you weapon familiarity with every "elven" weapon (ie all weapons with "elven" in the name are now martial weapons for you). Then you get both elven weapon proficiencies for the price of one.

I think he did.

He has Weapon Finesse, Improved Weapon Familiarity (Exotic Elven weapons are treated as Martial) and Two Weapon Fighting.