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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MyISPHatesENWorld" data-source="post: 4525394" data-attributes="member: 65684">Time doesn't matter here either. Besides the official FAQ answer and the customer service response previously posted, Mike Mearls posted the intent of versatile:"This is not an official answer, but let me give some insight into how versatile is intended to work.As a rule of thumb when using a versatile weapon, default to giving the player the most beneficial reading of a rule or situation regarding one or two handed use.So, the fighter would still get his weapon talent, and he could also gain the benefits of reaping strike.Versatile is intended to let you have your cake and eat it too."Yes, you can change as a free action and yes, you can get the +3 swordmage warding in conjunction with the +1 damage bonus if you are using a versatile weapon. And, yes, you can screw a player out of gaining the benefit of wielding a versatile weapon via house rule or abusing your role as rule arbiter to limit his free actions just because you don't like it (if the player will tolerate it). You can  give him a situational modifier of -2 to all his attacks, checks and defenses all the time if you don't like the class or race he is playing too (again, if the player will tolerate it).The swordmage with a longsword or bastard sword gets 1d8+1 or 1d10+1 to damage and +3 AC warding. The Swordmage with a fullblade gets 1d12 damage and the superior critical property and +1 AC warding. The swordmage with a double-bladed sword gets 1d8 and the defensive and off-hand properties and the weapon is considered both light blade and heavy blade (enabling more options for multiclassing and feats) and +1 AC warding. That fighter that can't wield his shield and get the +1 to damage at the same time as using his shield can always take the heavy weapon focus feat with that feat slot the swordmage had to use to take Intelligent Blademaster so his basic attacks work. Then he'll be doing the same x[W]+1 damage as the swordmage with powers and basic attacks, as well as hitting better (due to his +1 fighting style bonus) with all attacks. And he has the reflex bonus from his shield, and a better FORT save, and easier gain of feats relating to weapons, shields and armor. All classes don't benefit in the same way from all weapons/groups/properties.That fullblade-wielding swordmage isn't being nerfed by not being allowed to get the +3 - he has both the higher damage die (superior to the +1 damage) and the superior crit property. He (and the double-sword wielder) specifically gain the benefit of swordmage warding when they are wielding the weapon, and you can't wield a two-handed weapon in one hand.You don't like that players can switch grips more than once a round. That doesn't change the fact that there is a reason, to allow players to get the benefit of using a versatile weapon, or the fact that the rules clearly allow it.</blockquote>

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