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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Conaill" data-source="post: 252888" data-attributes="member: 1264">Re: One or TwoSword and shield is much more versatile. You can always drop the shield and wield the sword two-handed when needed. Or you can hold something else in your off-hand, like a torch, a rope (fighting while climbing!) or even a party member.  Not to mention the fact that you're much more likely to find magical longswords than greatswords.Yes, the greatsword will do 2.5 points of damage more on average, but the shield will give you +2 to AC (and more if enchanted). It's like having some extra points of Expertise/Power Attack to play with, allowing you to trade off AC versus damage.Plus it's a lot more believable if you start doing any mounted combat. I played a greatsword wielding fighter for a while, and while there's no official rules against using a greatsword from horseback, it did somewhat strain the believability of the character.In my opinion, the only good reasons for taking a two-handed weapon are (1) character reasons: you may just want to play a big brute barbarian with a greatsword or greatclub and no armor to speak off, or (2) because the specific 2-handed weapon gives you special extras (like spiked chain, various reach weapons, etc.)</blockquote>