Stout and Versatile Weapons

[King-Panda]

Stout (From DS): A weapon that can be treated as a two-handed weapon.

Versatile: A one-handed weapon that can be used two-handed, dealing an extra point of damage if used two-handed.

So... what is the point of Stout? Sure, small creatures could legally use stout weapons, but they could wield versatile weapons just the same. Am I missing something?

 

[Aulirophile]

That really is unclear, isn't it? Weapons that have the Stout property are all Double Weapons. Wielding them is like wielding 2 1-handed weapons for the purposes of various feats etc., (the whole TWF feat tree) but it is also like wielding a 2-handed weapon, because of the Stout property.

 

[scylis]

That really is unclear, isn't it? Weapons that have the Stout property are all Double Weapons. Wielding them is like wielding 2 1-handed weapons for the purposes of various feats etc., (the whole TWF feat tree) but it is also like wielding a 2-handed weapon, because of the Stout property.

Best as I can tell, that pretty much sums it up, in case a second opinion is wanted.

 

[Shin Okada]

As already pointed out, "stout" property is basically for double-weapons.

Using a double-weapon is basically like wielding 2 weapons. So basically, it is mainly used when a character has a power or feat which gives him some benefit when wielding two weapons. Say, a Ranger who has Twin Strike power or a Barbarian with Whirling Rend power. Characters with Two-Weapon feat tree or Dual Implement Spellcaster feat maybe good examples, too.

Sometimes, such a character also has some power or feat which gives him benefit only when wielding a two-handed weapon, or when wielding one weapon in two hands. Some powers like Howling Strike (barbarian) is usable only when you are wielding a melee weapon in two hands. Which, you cannot qualify with a double weapon without Stout property.

For example, a Barbarian with Whirling Rend and Howling Strike can use his Urglosh for both of those powers, as Urglosh is a double weapon with Stout property.

 

[King-Panda]

Thanks for the info! One of my players brought the question up, and neither of us noticed that both Stout weapons are double weapons.

 

[Cavalier]

Also note that there are some powers that require that you're using a two-handed weapon, and others that require that you're using a weapon in two hands. I'm not sure why they make the distinction, but they do. And if your wording for Stout is correct, it means the weapon is technically a two handed weapon when you want it to be, while versatile is still a one handed weapon that's being used in two hands.

 

[Dice4Hire]

I think it is mainly to clarify that double weapons are both two separate weapons in either hand and a single weapon in both hands.

 

[Xeterog]

Also note that there are some powers that require that you're using a two-handed weapon, and others that require that you're using a weapon in two hands. I'm not sure why they make the distinction, but they do.

They did it so that small PC's (halflings, gnomes, etc) can be barbarians and still use most of their powers.