The Lance

[Hypersmurf]

There are exceptions (Bastard sword, katana, etc).

Those are one-handed weapons. It's another example of the FAQ pulling a "What the...!?"

"The table says they're one-handed, but they're really two-handed..."

Buh?

-Hyp.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Those are one-handed weapons. It's another example of the FAQ pulling a "What the...!?"

"The table says they're one-handed, but they're really two-handed..."

Buh?

-Hyp.

What he said...

 

[BullMarkOne]

Well considering you can't use/wield a two-handed weapon in one hand, I think the point is moot.

I don't have the book in front of me, but isn't there a feat (monkey grip or something) in complete warrior that lets a character wield 2-h weapons in 1 hand?

 

[Hypersmurf]

I don't have the book in front of me, but isn't there a feat (monkey grip or something) in complete warrior that lets a character wield 2-h weapons in 1 hand?

It lets you wield a weapon one size category larger than you without increasing its designation.

For example, a medium creature has a Large longsword. It's a one-handed weapon, but normally considered a two-handed weapon for a Medium creature. With Monkey Grip, it retains its normal designation as a one-handed weapon.

So you're using a one-handed weapon in one hand, which means 1x Str bonus and 1-for-1 Power Attack. No problem.

-Hyp.

 

[Bront]

Wielding a Weapon Two-Handed: When you deal damage with a weapon that you are wielding two-handed, you add 1-1/2 times your Strength bonus. However, you don’t get this higher Strength bonus when using a light weapon with two hands.

Ok, I figured I could get the SRD to weigh in here.

This says that if you ware wielding a weapon with two hands, you gain 1.5 x strength. Very straight forward. So, when using the lance 1 handed, you only get 1 x strength.

So, what about power attack?

POWER ATTACK [GENERAL]
Prerequisite: Str 13.
Benefit: On your action, before making attack rolls for a round, you may choose to subtract a number from all melee attack rolls and add the same number to all melee damage rolls. This number may not exceed your base attack bonus. The penalty on attacks and bonus on damage apply until your next turn.
Special: If you attack with a two-handed weapon, or with a one-handed weapon wielded in two hands, instead add twice the number subtracted from your attack rolls. You can’t add the bonus from Power Attack to the damage dealt with a light weapon (except with unarmed strikes or natural weapon attacks), even though the penalty on attack rolls still applies. (Normally, you treat a double weapon as a one-handed weapon and a light weapon. If you choose to use a double weapon like a two-handed weapon, attacking with only one end of it in a round, you treat it as a two-handed weapon.)
A fighter may select Power Attack as one of his fighter bonus feats.

Now, a lance is a two handed weapon that is wielded one handed while on the back of a horse. Since it is talking about the type of weapon in this case, a lance gets x 2 power attack.

So, in a strage twist of RAW, you're both right. :\

 

[Hypersmurf]

This says that if you ware wielding a weapon with two hands, you gain 1.5 x strength. Very straight forward.

That's right.

So, when using the lance 1 handed, you only get 1 x strength.

That doesn't follow automatically.

It's only true if there are no other rules that might allow a lance to gain 1.5x.

Now check the Equipment chapter, under 'Two-Handed Weapons'.

You're correct - wielding a weapon in two hands (apart from a light weapon) grants 1.5x Str bonus. You're incorrect when you assume that this is the only situation that allows this benefit.

-Hyp.

 

[Brother MacLaren]

In terms of what imact it has on the game... making the lance do Power Attack and Str bonus damage as a 1-handed weapon greatly diminishes its value, especially at higher Str or BAB or with Spirited Charge (not to mention Deadly Charge). You could have situations where the lance is the inferior weapon in a mounted cavalry charge.

So, regardless of semantics or logic, I'd say give it the 2-handed bonus damage in order to make the lance the weapon of choice for the cavalry charge. Unlike spell selection or melee weapon selection, this is *not* a case where I think there should be several nearly-equally-valid options.

 

[Storyteller01]

That's right.



That doesn't follow automatically.

It's only true if there are no other rules that might allow a lance to gain 1.5x.

Now check the Equipment chapter, under 'Two-Handed Weapons'.

You're correct - wielding a weapon in two hands (apart from a light weapon) grants 1.5x Str bonus. You're incorrect when you assume that this is the only situation that allows this benefit.

-Hyp.

Okay hyp, if I give you a quarter staff (they can be wielded one handed) and let you hit someone (say.. me) first one hnaded, then two handed ehich will hurt more?


Not being snarky, but honestly, why is this an issue? Two hands generally means more power (hence the creation of two handed weapons). You don't apply the power UNLESS you use both hands...

 

[Storyteller01]

Those are one-handed weapons. -Hyp.

But they are one handed weapons that arer wielded two handed without Exotic feats. The ruling is pretty clear...

If you wield these weapons one handed (assuming you have the feats needed), you do normal Str damage. If you wield them with two hands, you do 1.5 str damage.

There has never been an argument agianst this with similar weapons. Doesn't seem that the presedent has been set?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Okay hyp, if I give you a quarter staff (they can be wielded one handed)...

Uh... no, they can't. Quarterstaff is a two-handed weapon. Two hands are required.

But they are one handed weapons that arer wielded two handed without Exotic feats.

Yup - wielded two-handed. Not 'wielded as a two-handed weapon'.

A bastard sword is a one-handed weapon, whether you're wielding it one-handed as an exotic weapon, or two-handed as a martial weapon. It doesn't become a two-handed weapon, just as a longsword doesn't become a two-handed weapon, just because you're using two hands.

And per the rules for one-handed weapons, you add your Str bonus to damage if you're wielding it in one hand, and 1.5x Str bonus if you're wielding it in two.

But the lance doesn't use the rules for one-handed weapons; it uses the rules for two-handed weapons.

-Hyp.