STR Penalties and 2H Weapons

[Fenris]

If you have a strength penalty (a negative bonus) and you are using a 2handed weapon, how does the penalty change? Likewise for a weapon in you off hand. If you have a -2 "bonus" and you use a weapon two-handed you multiply the bonus by 1.5 for damage, but that further penalizes the character. Do you simply switch the modifier? X0.5 for 2handed and X1.5 for off-hand? Sorry if this has come up before.

 

[CRGreathouse]

If you have a strength penalty (a negative bonus) and you are using a 2handed weapon, how does the penalty change?

It doesn't.

 

[IceBear]

Don't think of a penalty as a negative bonus. There are a few places in the rules where they specifically state "bonus", and that's what the mean "bonus". They don't mean modifier. This is one of them.

IceBear

 

[Fenris]

So it is more advantageous for a weak character to use a weapon with one hand? Doesn't this seem illogical?

 

[IceBear]

Real life logic doesn't always equal game logic.

Also, if you have a -2 strength penalty, you'll still have a -2 strength penalty with your off hand too. It's affecting the BONUS. It's not an advantage.

I'll be honest, I haven't looked at the rules for this lately, but if the rules state 1.5 X STR bonus, then they mean BONUS. If they say 1.5 X STR modifer then they mean both bonus and penalty.

IceBear

 

[Umbran]

If you have a -2 "bonus" and you use a weapon two-handed you multiply the bonus by 1.5 for damage, but that further penalizes the character.

Well, you see, you don't have a -2 "bonus". There is no such thing as a "negative bonus". The rules distinguish between two cases, and on occasion treat them differently - they call a positive modifier a "bonus" and a negative modifier a "penalty". The 2-hand multipler is applied to bonuses, not penalties. PHB, Pg 97 (italics my own):

"You can use a two-haneded melee weapon effictively in two hands, and when you deal damage with it, you add one and a half times your strength bonus to damage (provided you have a bonus)."

If you have no bonus (positive modifier), then this does not apply.

 

[Axiomatic Unicorn]

So it is more advantageous for a weak character to use a weapon with one hand? Doesn't this seem illogical?

A STR 10 - 13 char gets no bonus for using a weapon 2-handed. Why should a weaker person get a benefit? (even in the form of a reduced penalty)

 

[Fenris]

Thanks to all. The subtle distinction between modifier and bonus jsut didn't penetrate my thick cranium. That cleared it up. Thanks again.