Longsword PCs

[Shade]

In my experience, all elven characters use longswords. All the sword-and-board types I've seen have used a longsword, and all the two-weapon fighters use one in their primary hand, at least.

All the power fighters and barbarians use either greataxe or greatsword, depending on whether they prefer a wider crit range or a bigger multiplier.

I've seen a few finesse types use a rapier or shortsword.

One character used a handaxe as an offhand weapon.

Other than that, I've seen a few characters dabble in exotic weapons.

 

[JRR_Talking]

excellent weapon choice for a favoured soul

we have two D&D campaigns running with 6 PC's in each.
In one campaign only 1 uses a LS (my FavSou!)
In the other no-one uses a LS

so yeah, not as many as in 1st ed, which is good i guess

John

 

[derelictjay]

Maybe 20% of the time, and that I think I'm being lenient. Our current group dynamic uses a rapier, spear, longspear/morningstar, dwarven waraxe and dagger. The longsword is most often used by a non-martial elf or a paladin using a shield.

 

[DragonLancer]

IMX 80% (give or take) use longswords. The othre 20% tend to use battleaxe or rapier.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

I'd say about 40%.

Elves seem to come pre-packaged with longswords. I've seen elven warrior- or rogue-types choose other weapons, but most, especially spellcasters, take advantage of their racial proficiency and pack a longsword.

I've seen quite a few sword-and-board fighters who didn't bother making the -1 feat/+1 damage trade for a bastard sword. Paladins in particular almost always go sword-and-board and use a long sword, because they have better uses for a feat.

I've seen monks use longswords because of the Eberron feat allowing them to flurry with such weapons.

Other than that...

Heavy damage-dealers use two-handed weapons, usually glaives. I've sometimes seen dwarves bring the pain with a war axe instead of a greataxe, which allows them to go "sword"-and-board until they get into melee and still benefit from 2-for-1 power attack at the loss of only 1 damage.

Other characters use either finessable or simple weapons; longspears are the most popular of the latter.

 

[Andor]

My character is currently using a long sword with a shield. The Improved Shield Bash - Agile Shield Fighter feat pair allow for an off-hand attack with a mere -2/-2 penalty while keeping the shield bonus to AC. Since I get to be the party tank and still keep up a decent damage output I am well pleased.

 

[Ravellion]

I think it's only rangers and clerics of heironeous that use longswords IMC. Every now and then a longsword will be used because a magical one will appear in the treasuesooner or later.

 

[JVisgaitis]

If they can, they do. Why they chose longswords I'm not sure, but its certainly a staple with my players.

 

[TheYeti1775]

Took a Longsword wielding Fighter from 6th to 12th. Only using a Longsword +1 and a Heavy Shield +1. At 11th or 12th he gained a Greatsword of considerable power (a King's Sword), so is currently learning how to best use it as well (Melee Mastery feats from PHBII).

While he didn't pump out oodles of damage, he was quite consistent in his hitting of things and surviving the majority hits. No not the Optimized AC for a Fighter of his Level, but fun to play.

 

[Darklone]

About 30% of my regular group. There are two kinds of people who use it:
- The style dudes. They wanna be those knight in white satin dude with sword and shield.
- The versatility dudes. The use a longsword with a light shield or buckler and a longbow... all together, sometimes using the longsword one handed with shield, sometimes twohanded, sometimes onehanded with the other hand empty for potions/scrolls...