Two handed two headed weapon!?!

[cossakking]

This question comes in two parts.

First is how much damage do you do with a two handed two headed weapon. I see everywhere that you attack as if wielding two weapons, but just like everywhere else in the rules if it mentions and attack and not damage then it only applies to attack.

Second if you use a weapon in one hand (for example to get the benefit of a shield) is that legal?, if the person can do they only get one attack? I have been trying to find the rules on this...but somehow it is eluding me....

 

[AGGEMAM]

First, all double weapons have two listings for damage, PHB, page 98-99.

Second, only if you use a buckler, see the buckler rules, PHB, page 105.

 

[Henrix]

I think you're asking what the damage bonus would be when using a double weapon, right?

Like you've found it is the same as when fighting with two weapons, the rules are found in the beginning of the equipment chapter, where it talks about what weapons you can wield.
The gist is that you get full Str damage bonus with your primary hand, and half that with your off hand.

As for the second question, remember that double weapons are large (when made for a medium sized character), and as such much be used in two hands.

A buckler can be held in one of your hands while fighting with a twohanded weapon, but it gives a -1 penalty to your to hit roll, and you do not get the AC bonus the same round that you're fighting with that hand.

 

[cossakking]

Thanks, I just saw both the PHB and the FAQ...

next question is

if you take weapon focus, specialization, or improved critical on a double weapon to which head does it apply?

e.g. Dwarven urgosh (a slashing and piercing head) do you have to take (one of the above feats) for both heads, or does weapon focus urgosh apply to both heads...

I know that you must masterwork and magic each head seperately but ....

 

[Henrix]

I'd say the feats apply to attacks with both heads.

 

[AGGEMAM]

I know that you must masterwork and magic each head seperately but ....

Actually, the masterwork cost is doubled for doubled headed weapon but each head is not treated separately. It's in the PHB, page 114.

Although, it is express vaguely in the DMG that you could have only one head that is masterwork, it goes against the whole idea that magic weapon must be masterwork before it can be magical.

In essence, shouldn't the hilt also be masterwork, and not just the heads.

Anyway, all feat etc. apply to the weapon not the individual heads.

 

[Ancalagon]

Hello

Double weapon are more versatile than using 2 weapons because of the following... They can work like a 2 handed weapon OR 2 weapons.

Take the staff. If you don't have the 2 weapon fighting style, you use it like a big club (well not realy, but you see what I mean), using both hands, and inflict 1.5 strenght damage.

Now, suposed you are trained in the arts of 2 weapon fighting. You can either use both ends of the staff. You gain one more attack, but your "main end" does your normal strenght damage, and your "off end" does .5 strenght damage.

However, nothing stops you from using the staff as a 2-handed weapon if you need to! For example, you are moving and attacking, you only get one attack... so make it a 2 handed swing. Or you are fighting a creature with damage reduction, once again make it a 2 handed swing.

This logic also aplies to all the other double weapons, making them more versatile.

Ancalagon