Quarterstaff & TWF

[Kzach]

As a fan of the stave I was heartily disappointed to see that it got zero love in 4e. And with the abolition of double-weapons, it would seem there's little hope for it's future, besides being a handy wizard's implement.

But I was thinking that there'd be no reason why you couldn't fudge the rules a bit and say that, for all intents and purposes, a quarterstaff fulfills the requirements for both the feats and the ranger powers.

The other potential solution, given the whole bastard sword idiocy, and the quarterstaff's lack of uberness, is to make a superior weapon especially made for two-weapon fighting styles called the battlestaff. Give it +3 proficiency and make it 1d10 damage

 

[Baumi]

Yeah the Staff is very weak, even for a simple weapon. I like the Idea of giving it the requirements for two weapon fighting (Feats- and Rangerpossibilities) or increasing the Prof. to +3 (less damage than morningstar, but easier to use).

 

[Kzach]

Hmm, the only conflict I see with it is that if you let it be used for ranger, then you can multi-class with wizard and use it as implement.

Other than that, there's really nothing I can see that would unbalance things.

 

[Baumi]

I don't think that using it as a Wizard-Multiclasser would unbalance it since a Ranger could still use two longswords or Battleaxes which are still better in damage or to hit.

The only real advantage would be that you don't need multiple magic weapons/implements, which on the other hand would also be a disadvantage because it means that you can't be as flexible with the different powers that multiple weapons would give you.

 

[Saben]

I don't think that using it as a Wizard-Multiclasser would unbalance it since a Ranger could still use two longswords or Battleaxes which are still better in damage or to hit.

The only real advantage would be that you don't need multiple magic weapons/implements, which on the other hand would also be a disadvantage because it means that you can't be as flexible with the different powers that multiple weapons would give you.

Also, a Wizard with Ranger abilities could take the Wizard of the Spiral Tower Paragon Path and dual wield Longswords which would be usable in melee AND as implements.

 

[Starfox]

The only real advantage of a quarterstaff over two longswords is that you only need one magical weapon. Th drawback, of course, is that you are less accurate. Works out to me.

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

I have to admit I am a bit amused that Kzach feels so strongly against dual wielding bastard sword (I agree) but wants dual wielding staves.

Staves are typically used like a polearm. Even if you alternate hitting with the top and bottom of the staff, you hit slower than a swordman who simply hits twice with his sword (try it). And you can never strike with both end at once. You can never parry with one weapon and simulteneously strike with the other.

It can't be used, in any shape or form except in 3e, as two-weapons. I was quite glad when they got rid of this nad I hope it doesn't come back. A two-bladed sword isn't two-weapons, it's a fancy looking glaive.

You want to give the quarterstaff some love, I'd give it reach instead.

And btw; the fact that it saves you from the need of acquiring two weapons is downright broken for a ranger. Unless you are bullying your friends into giving you the two best weapons found through treasure, it's likely that your off-hand will be of a significantly lesser quality that the primary. But with a quarterstaf everything is peachy.

 

[Revinor]

Disregard - I was wrong here.

 

[Aria Silverhands]

Staves are typically used like a polearm. Even if you alternate hitting with the top and bottom of the staff, you hit slower than a swordman who simply hits twice with his sword (try it). And you can never strike with both end at once. You can never parry with one weapon and simultaneously strike with the other.

Watch Seirei no Moribito. Balsa and her spear are awesome to watch and provides plenty of support for using polearms and staves and spears as double weapons.

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

Watch Seirei no Moribito. Balsa and her spear are awesome to watch and provides plenty of support for using polearms and staves and spears as double weapons.

Well, then watch people actually fighting with two separate weapons and compare.

Not saying staff/spear isn't cool. Saying it's not two weapons.