The Concept Is... he DOESN'T use a sword.

[Praeco]

I must say I fell into the 'sword mode' as well when 3e came out. Even my Dwarf cleric used a sword. I think it was just the novelty of making a cleric whose best weapon was something other than a mace.

 

[Kilmore]

Longswords are the coolest weapons. What is more basic than hitting someone with a stick? And what if you could make it a big sharp metal stick?

I agree that the Bastard Sword is a rip. The only good thing about it is that I can say that nation / culture X tends to use Bastard Swords more, so instead of two-handed use being an Exotic for them, it's Martial, allowing that nations' warrior classes to use it without burning a feat.

And the Greatsword was not historically a barbarian weapon, unless you consider 16th century German Landesknechts or Japanese Samurai barbarians. I really don't know who else used them.

 

[Dave Turner]

I've wished since 3.0 came out that there'd be a suitable Core-book two-handed bludgeoning weapon. The greatclub is terrible. Where's my really, really big hammer that does 1d12/20/x3? I know that's the same as a greataxe except for damage type, but it's a flaver issue. I wanna crush things!

Yeah, give me a greathammer (1d12/20/x3) and I could tell you my next PC...

Garyh,

I would encourage your DM to simply allow you to take a greathammer with the stats of a greataxe, just as you sort of suggest above.

Honestly, D&D could be streamlined by having generic weapon stats or a "build your own weapon" section. That way your character can be really individualized ("It's a greathammer!") and yet maintain game balance ("It's a two-handed, Medium sized weapon that delivers bludgeoning (or slashing or piercing) damage."). The original post encompases this idea nicely, since all of the different swords described use longsword stats ("one-handed, Medium sized weapon with slashing damage) but have unique flavor. You would really only need a few lines for the weapon tables, along with some modifiers to slap on as "templates" if you want some funky abilities (Hello, AU dire weapons?).

 

[garyh]

Garyh,

I would encourage your DM to simply allow you to take a greathammer with the stats of a greataxe, just as you sort of suggest above.

Honestly, D&D could be streamlined by having generic weapon stats or a "build your own weapon" section. That way your character can be really individualized ("It's a greathammer!") and yet maintain game balance ("It's a two-handed, Medium sized weapon that delivers bludgeoning (or slashing or piercing) damage."). The original post encompases this idea nicely, since all of the different swords described use longsword stats ("one-handed, Medium sized weapon with slashing damage) but have unique flavor. You would really only need a few lines for the weapon tables, along with some modifiers to slap on as "templates" if you want some funky abilities (Hello, AU dire weapons?).

It's no particular DM, and I imagine most would allow what you mention... I was just lamenting that such a weapon isn't Core, so one HAS to go plead with a DM.

I do like the "Make your own weapon" idea... I agree that AU is a step towards that.

 

[mooby]

I'm all about barbarians ditching greatswords and going with either Great Axes (higher chance at rolling 12 damage, better crit multiplyer), or even better yet: Heavy Picks. A strong Barb is going to dish out a ton of damage with Power Attack no matter what 2 handed weapon they're using, so why not "go for the gold" with a X4 crit multiplyer?

i don't like shields, but you need a great pick (1d8, large, X4).

 

[Aaron2]

Any reason why the halberd wasn't considered a reach weapon in 3e?

Because you hold it more like a quarterstaff than a spear. In this case, I think 3e has it right.


Aaron

 

[mooby]

i think a kewl idea would be to have a feat that allows a halberd to be used as a close weapon OR a reach weapon.

 

[Vaxalon]

Another reason is balance.

I added an exotic weapon, "Long Halberd" to my game, that is basically a halberd with reach.

They're already spearlike, axelike, and guisarme-like(that is, set vs. charge, x3 critical, +2 to trip) which is pretty nifty. With reach too they start getting out of hand.

 

[Valiantheart]

Seems like everybody here thinks a feat for the bastard sword is a waste. Then what should be done to the weapon. Better crit range, non-exotic, or maybe free for fighters?

 

[LoneWolf23]

Seems like everybody here thinks a feat for the bastard sword is a waste. Then what should be done to the weapon. Better crit range, non-exotic, or maybe free for fighters?

How about making it's damage 1d12?