Some questions on Smaller sized twohanded weapons

[Inkidoo]

My question is in regards to two-handed weapons of a smaller size used by a wielder larger than intended. My desire is to use a small-sized longspear/ranseur/halberd (designed for use by small creatures), while still retaining the reach ability. Additionally, I'm wondering if the +4 on Disarm/Sunder opposed attack rolls would still be in effect, despite being used one handed. It's category hasn't changed (two-handed weapon), just it's mode of use. I do realize that these attack rolls would be subject to a -2 penalty due to the size difference. However, this might be offset by the status of the weapon.

However, the reach issue is primarily what concerns me, as I'd like to make a shield and polearm using fighting style character. If anyone knows of an 'official' feat that would allow me to do so, that would be just as effective. I'm willing to live with the -2 penalty on attack rolls, if I can keep the reach; even better if I can retain the +4 (reduced to a +2 from the -2 penalty for size difference) on Disarm/Sunder attempts.

I'm considering a Disarm Specialist, with Improved Disarm (and Combat Expertise, of course), along with Combat Reflexes, and would love to be able to use a shield.

Thoughts? Comments? Possibilities I haven't accounted for? Munchkinitis?

Inkidoo
aka Narfolin, aka Hari the Monk

 

[IcyCool]

Well, if a medium creature uses a small sized two-handed weapon, that weapon becomes a one-handed weapon for him. So unless he's using it two-handed, he doesn't get the +4 bonus. Other than that, I'm pretty sure that he can use a small, two-handed reach weapon as a one-handed reach weapon.

 

[Storyteller01]

I thought using a reach weapon smaller than you negated the reach advantage?

EDIT: The SRD doesn't say one way or the other, but looking at the weapons I'd have to say no. A small long spear is roughly a short spear in length. Small Ransuers and halberds are oddly shaped Medium battle axes (same general size).

Then again, there is the issue of small creatures gaining reach at all...

If your looking to work the disarm angle, why not use the whip? One handed reach weapon that (I believe) gives bonuses to disarm attempts. Not much in the line of damage though.

 

[Hypersmurf]

A Small longspear or ranseur is a Reach weapon. A Reach weapon wielded by a Medium creature allows him to strike at 10 ft but not at 5 ft.

By contrast, a Reach weapon of appropriate size wielded by a Large creature allows him to strike at 15 or 20 ft but not at 5 ft or 10 ft. As written, a Medium creature is not restricted by the size of the Reach weapon, but a Large creature is.

(If you don't like that, I recommend modifying the Savage Species rules for Reach weapons to work in 3.5.)

A halberd is not a Reach weapon, so it's irrelevant to the point.

As mentioned above, a Small longspear, ranseur, or halberd is considered a one-handed weapon when wielded by a Medium creature, so the disarm bonus for a two-handed weapon is inapplicable.

-Hyp.

 

[Ballard_Alvar]

A Small longspear or ranseur is a Reach weapon. A Reach weapon wielded by a Medium creature allows him to strike at 10 ft but not at 5 ft.

By contrast, a Reach weapon of appropriate size wielded by a Large creature allows him to strike at 15 or 20 ft but not at 5 ft or 10 ft. As written, a Medium creature is not restricted by the size of the Reach weapon, but a Large creature is.
-Hyp.

My only quam with that statement is, that as I understand it reach is a property- doubles normal reach. not to say give spacific distances to which it can strike. of course then there is "strike adjacent enemies" that is a different property. So, for example, you could have an ogre, that weilds a medium longspear (one handed) + penalty(#?) and have a reach with said spear of 10' to 20', conversley you could have a half giant(medium) with "Weild Oversized Weapon" feat who wheilds a Huge Greatsowrd (or Gar longsword two handed) +penalty(#?) and only have a reach of 5' (even with the sword being 16' long).

Very Disturbing-- visually. Of course my roomate would prefer Large(long), like the centaur, to use medium weapons. dispite that they can weild the large weapon due to their supreme strength (friend getting masters in astrophysics)- but he dislikes the image because they have the torso of an ordinary man.

 

[Len]

My only quam with that statement is, that as I understand it reach is a property- doubles normal reach. not to say give spacific distances to which it can strike.

The PHB says that most reach weapons double the wielder's natural reach, which implies that some do not.

A halberd is not a Reach weapon, so it's irrelevant to the point.

Yes but so many people think it is, that I'm beginning to wonder if the PHB is wrong.

 

[Storyteller01]

Seems odd to me. If a long spear can give reach to both Small and Medium critters, it would have to be the same size (roughly). Anyone else see a problem with a 3.5 foot halfing wielding a 7 to 9 foot spear?

If both weapons are the same size, why is a Small longspear give a -2 penalty to humans, or a Medium longspear do the same for halflings?

Don't answer, it's a retorical question.

 

[Hypersmurf]

So, for example, you could have an ogre, that weilds a medium longspear (one handed) + penalty(#?) and have a reach with said spear of 10' to 20'

Reach Weapons: Glaives, guisarmes, lances, longspears, ranseurs, spiked chains, and whips are reach weapons. A reach weapon is a melee weapon that allows its wielder to strike at targets that aren’t adjacent to him or her. Most reach double the wielder’s natural reach, meaning that a typical Small or Medium wielder of such a weapon can attack a creature 10 feet away, but not a creature in an adjacent square. A typical Large character wielding a reach weapon of the appropriate size can attack a creature 15 or 20 feet away, but not adjacent creatures or creatures up to 10 feet away.

Notice that a Large creature can attack a creature 15 or 20 feet away if it is wielding a reach weapon of the appropriate size... that is to say, Large. A Medium reach weapon is a reach weapon of inappropriate size.

-Hyp.

 

[Ballard_Alvar]

Reach Weapons: Glaives, guisarmes, lances, longspears, ranseurs, spiked chains, and whips are reach weapons. A reach weapon is a melee weapon that allows its wielder to strike at targets that aren’t adjacent to him or her. Most reach double the wielder’s natural reach, meaning that a typical Small or Medium wielder of such a weapon can attack a creature 10 feet away, but not a creature in an adjacent square. A typical Large character wielding a reach weapon of the appropriate size can attack a creature 15 or 20 feet away, but not adjacent creatures or creatures up to 10 feet away.

Notice that a Large creature can attack a creature 15 or 20 feet away if it is wielding a reach weapon of the appropriate size... that is to say, Large. A Medium reach weapon is a reach weapon of inappropriate size.

-Hyp.

3

Fair enough. I suppose i didn't catch the "of appropriate size" thing. --I should have as you already quoted it once before my last post. eh, That's what I get for posting when I'm not awake. I understand that you have a reputation of being always right, so it is a pleasure to have diolgue with you. currious, how do you determin reach of a weapon of inappropriate size?
-Thanks, BA

ps is it a formula? just think on this Ogre-tiny longspear-reach. I laugh when I think about it.

 

[Storyteller01]

3

Fair enough. I suppose i didn't catch the "of appropriate size" thing. --I should have as you already quoted it once before my last post. eh, That's what I get for posting when I'm not awake. I understand that you have a reputation of being always right, so it is a pleasure to have diolgue with you. currious, how do you determin reach of a weapon of inappropriate size?
-Thanks, BA

ps is it a formula? just think on this Ogre-tiny longspear-reach. I laugh when I think about it.

Not a jab, but why is a small reach weapon not considered inappropriate for a Medium critter?