D&D 5E New "Fighting Style": Versatile

[TheLoneRanger1979]

Personally i have been looking for a reason to pick up a versatile long sword for quite some time (in the absence of a distinction between an arming sword and a long sword), so i'd roll with it. Then again, i'm not a fan of axes anyway.

 

[RCanine]

Maybe +1 AC when used one-handed, and +1 to hit when used two-handed would cover it? I'd like something more interesting than flat bonuses, myself, but that'd model what you describe in a preponderance of the evidence kind of way, and it's a clear choice, that synergizes with the option of a shield one-handed, and the larger damage die 2-handed. Defense style already gives a +1 AC, so there's a stacking danger, there, and +1 AC is a big deal since AC currently scales only with DEX and gear. It might be desireable to phrase it in a way that doesn't stack with Defense style (then again, the only ones who get two styles that I recall are Champions, and it's not like they're in danger of dominating the game as it is).

Whatever it is, it shouldn't be strictly superior to defensive style. Also, any bonuses must apply to the attack, otherwise they'd be all this debate about quantum grip scenarios.

 

[77IM]

Maybe we should go about this the other way: Versatile style lets you change what's in your off-hand as a free action, so you can quickly switch between two-handed use, sword+board, dual-wielding, spellcasting focus, etc., depending on the tactical situation.

 

[Ancalagon]

There shouldn't be any bonus when using it single handed. The advantage there is "I get to use my free hand to do stuff". From my experience, the defensive potential of a longsword/bastard sword comes alive when used two handed, not one handed. *but* a flat +1 to AC would be strictly worse than defensive. Hmmm...

 

[TheLoneRanger1979]

There shouldn't be any bonus when using it single handed. The advantage there is "I get to use my free hand to do stuff". From my experience, the defensive potential of a longsword/bastard sword comes alive when used two handed, not one handed. *but* a flat +1 to AC would be strictly worse than defensive. Hmmm...

Good point there....

 

[Zardnaar]

Endsider has one called Phalanx which lets you treat a versatile weapon as being used with 2 handed if its used with a shield. Worse than duelist at level 1 at level 11+ when you get a 2nd option its not to bad I suppose.