Question about double weapons

[Plane Sailing]

Firstly, quit being offensive to Vilous please. He recognises that he isn't understanding the rulings and has reservations, but he is at least remaining polite. There is really no call to be rude to people who are not being rude first

Secondly, I'm afraid I agree with everyone else here V. My understanding (and the way that I've played it) is that the double weapon gets 1.5 Str on damage if you are taking one attack with it, but 1.0 and 0.5 Str on either end if taking two attacks.

My reasoning? Basically everywhere you look the general rule is that the most benefit you can get out of your Str is 1.5 x the damage bonus. Either with 2 hands or with 2 weapons. (perhaps except monks! but the flurry is technically a different thing anyway)

The double weapon is *still* a useful weapon, but from a versatility point of view. You can use it 2H whenever you only get one attack (AoO, Charge, Standard attack) but can switch to 2H whenever you get a full attack. In addition, any weapon specific feats which you get apply equally to both ends - weapon focus, spec, imp crit for instance. So after a fighter makes the initial feat investment it works out as a flexible weapon. The latter effect could be nearly duplicated by using two longswords and quickdraw (to enable you to switch quickly between 2H and 2W attacks as needed), but you would be fighting at -4/-4 instead of -2/-2.

I hope this may have been of some small help

Cheers

 

[Darklone]

Agreeing with PS here. Advantage of double weapons is exactly what he said, feat expenditure, 1.5damage with standard actions and you don't usually get two weapons at -2/-2 with d8.

Though I have often seen barbarian dwarves with two dwarven waraxes and rangers with two bastardswords...

 

[Chacal]

Well, consider this weapon for a minute.


Spiked chain +2 Keen, Frost burst/+2 Knockback, Flaming

Good example! I haven't thought of it because IMC, the only double weapons the PC chose were dble-axe and dble-sword.

But isn't it a bit specific to double weapons with Reach ?

What about the others ?

Chacal

 

[kreynolds]

Spiked chain +2 Keen, Frost burst/+2 Knockback, Flaming

Now that's funny. I wasn't aware that the Spiked Chain was double weapon. Probably because...it's not.

 

[kreynolds]

Good example!

Not really. A spiked chain isn't a double weapon.

 

[Chacal]

Not really. A spiked chain isn't a double weapon.

I guess that's what you get when you don't use spike chains


Chacal

 

[Macbrea]

Hmm, my error. Guess, thats what I get for mixing up the Kusari-gama with the spiked chain.

Which by the DMG errata is a double weapon that can be used for reach. Ah, well, back to your normally scheduled discussion.


Though, I wonder what type of action it is to switch between use fo the item one handed and two handed?

 

[kreynolds]

Though, I wonder what type of action it is to switch between use fo the item one handed and two handed?

In my games, it's a free action.

 

[dead_radish]

Another couple things to remember

1. Double weapons are the only way you can get d8/d8 attacks with a -2/-2 penalty - there are no light offhand weapons that do d8. So you're getting a higher damage.

2. A lot of them have extra bonuses - trips, disarms, etc. Dire Flail gives bonuses on trips and disarms. Urgosh has a side that can be set to receive a charge. Gnome hammers have bludgeon and piercing heads (for skeletons, duelists, etc).

3. A single weapon focus/specialization covers both attacks - you don't have to wf (longsword), wf (Short sword) or the like. You can weapon focus, weapon specialization with 2 feats, instead of 4.

That being said, rangers don't get virtual ambidex on double weapons, so I dunno if they're really worth it (since they cost 3 feats to use effectively).

 

[Macbrea]

Hey, I have a question for someone!


Here is an odd possibility:

Ambidexterity, Two weapon fighting, Exotic weapon prof(Doublebladed sword (heavy/heavy)), Weapon Focus (Doublebladed sword (heavy/heavy)), Monkey grip (Doublebladed sword (heavy/heavy)), Weapon Specialization(Doublebladed sword (heavy/heavy))


With a Huge Doublebladed sword (Platnium/Platnium). He would swing at -3/-3 to his normal Melee BAB for 2d8+2/2d8+2 damage.


Can you take Monkey grip with a double weapon? Since, they both count as individual weapons for purposes of swinging them.


Yes, I know the final weight of that weapon, 150lbs by pcgen, might make it so the fighter cannot walk. But its a crazy concept idea I have.