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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ipissimus" data-source="post: 4202159" data-attributes="member: 41514">No, the rules don't specifically state weapon lengths. But we do know that the Greatsword is Large and weighs 15lbs, meant to be wielded by either a medium creature using both hands or a Large creature in the same way a smaller one might wield a longsword. Considering that a Large creature can be anywhere between 8-16 foot tall and you can agree that, proportionally, a longsword is about half a man's height (probably a bit longer, though) that places the Greatsword between 4 ft. and 8 ft. long.(Of course, if you ignore the rules, the classic historical Greatsword would be the Claymore which clocked in at about the same height as the wielder but we'll stick to the rules)Any way you cut it, at 15lbs, that's a big honking sword. Now, part of this hinges off a 4E rule we know nothing about: Coup de Grace.Coup de Grace was the answer to 'why can't anyone Sneak Attack' in 3E. You can, but the Rogue's slightly better at it because he knows precisely where to hit people. Of course, that requires a 'helpless' opponent and, in general, I'd think an opponent blissfully unaware that he's about to be brained qualifies as helpless (but that's up to a DM).However, precision is the point. How can you be precise with a 4 foot long 15 pound sword meant for cleaving people in half? What is the difference between a Rogue trying to brain a guy from behind, in or out of combat, with a big chunk of sharp metal and the Barbarian doing the same thing? The Greatsword isn't about precision, you don't try to stab someone in the brain or heart with it. You cleave asunder whatever gets in it's way.That being said, I think this thread does demonstrate one thing: the need for a lightly armoured fighter class that's a striker rather than a defender and probably isn't the Barbarian. Hopefully, WOTC will see this need and meet it in line with their stated goal of ignoring needless symmetry. I don't think the Rogue is exactly what you're looking for here, but it's the closest thing to it at the moment.</blockquote>

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