Rude_Boy_Tenchi
First Post
my friend got barbarian as a class and uses a double axe what are the rules 4 it? does he roll twice?
Rules on double weapons
- Thread starter Rude_Boy_Tenchi
- Start date
As you probably know, the double axe is in Adventurer's Vault and rules for double weapons are on page 10 of that book. Generally it's best to start by reading the rules.
A double weapon is like wielding a weapon in each hand. He only gets to roll once, unless his class gives him powers that allow him to make two attacks or gain other advantages from wielding two weapons.
It's not a very good choice for a barbarian because he doesn't get any class abilities that take advantage of it, at least in the material published so far. He might want to look at playing a ranger or fighter (from a barbarian tribe) instead.
A double weapon is like wielding a weapon in each hand. He only gets to roll once, unless his class gives him powers that allow him to make two attacks or gain other advantages from wielding two weapons.
It's not a very good choice for a barbarian because he doesn't get any class abilities that take advantage of it, at least in the material published so far. He might want to look at playing a ranger or fighter (from a barbarian tribe) instead.
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Basically, double weapons count as two one-handed weapons with all of the attributes listed in the entry. For a Barbarian without any two-weapon fighting powers or feats, it basically acts as though he's using a battleaxe with two hands, but instead of getting +1 Damage he gets +1 AC (from the Defensive property).
Double weapons can pose a bit of a balance problem in certain situations. Most specifically, Tempest fighters get a bonus to hit and damage with them, because they have the off-hand property, but these weapons tend to do more damage than other weapons with the property. Likewise, Rogues can use double swords, which count as both heavy blades and light blades, with all of their special Rogue attack powers, even though the double sword does more damage than any other light blade.
For your Barbarian friend, though, unless he's taken feats or multiclass powers related to fighting with two weapons, he'd probably be better off using a greataxe, a waraxe and a shield, or something like that.
Double weapons can pose a bit of a balance problem in certain situations. Most specifically, Tempest fighters get a bonus to hit and damage with them, because they have the off-hand property, but these weapons tend to do more damage than other weapons with the property. Likewise, Rogues can use double swords, which count as both heavy blades and light blades, with all of their special Rogue attack powers, even though the double sword does more damage than any other light blade.
For your Barbarian friend, though, unless he's taken feats or multiclass powers related to fighting with two weapons, he'd probably be better off using a greataxe, a waraxe and a shield, or something like that.
Rude_Boy_Tenchi
First Post
Grabuto138
First Post
Just to be clear, he does not get an extra attack because he uses the axe whether or not he has the feat. Certain classes may have specific powers that, when using those powers only, allow them an extra attack. If he is using a barbarian power* or a basic attack he does not get an extra attack. He only gets an extra attack when the power clearly says so.
In most cases, though not all, a double weapon is only really useful for classes that are geared toward it. In my experience, if someone is using a double weapon and isn't a ranger or a tempest fighter they are usually either misunderstanding the rules or are playing around with the rules for a potentially suboptimal role playing effect.
*as far as I know, I haven't played one.
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Mad Hamish
First Post
only if it has the 'stout' property iirc
KidSnide
Adventurer
I think these balance problems were all addressed in the December rules update. As a general balance matter, I strongly recommend using the errata-ed rules, although they do make double weapons substantially less powerful.
-KS
Dice4Hire
First Post
OP: Be sure to read the Rules updates if your player wants to use double weapons, as they ahve been changed form the basic rulebook. A couple points above are wrong
1: The Double Axe is not defensive
2: The double sword is light blade, not light and heavy
eriktheguy
First Post
The double blade is still a light blade in errata? Does that mean that a rogue can still use it (upgrading from a d6 to a d8 for a feat). I guess it is still balanced since the rogue doesn't get the defensive bonus anymore.
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