D&D 5E Two-Handed Weapon + Shield

[ExploderWizard]

I was swinging at stationary targets while holding a huge round shield over 48" in diameter in my left hand.

I am a big guy and hit with decent power. Recovery time- fhuggetaboutit! Getting that thing set again for another swing wasn't quick. Even a moderately fast fighter with a normal broad sword would have had a chance to whoop on me 3 or 4 times before I was ready to swing again.

It LOOKS intimidating as heck standing there wielding a picnic table on your arm and a six foot sword in the other- until you actually throw a blow. Then you see how a more reasonably armed fighter would send you to the afterlife before you got a second swing.

 

[jaelis]

I'd say a 2H weapon held in one hand should use the improvised weapon rules.

 

[Plaguescarred]

I'd say it shouldn't under normal circumstance. The Two Handed property makes it clear that such weapon require two hands to use. So if you don't have two hands free, you can't use it, period.

 

[jaelis]

I'd say it shouldn't under normal circumstance. The Two Handed property makes it clear that such weapon require two hands to use. So if you don't have two hands free, you can't use it, period.

Do you have a good general way to decide if a given item requires two hands when used as an improvised weapon?

 

[S'mon]

As GM I'd let some oversized/two handed weapons be used one-handed with disadvantage; greatswords are the obvious one. Might even be a viable tactic for a reckless attacking barbarian!

 

[Plaguescarred]

Do you have a good general way to decide if a given item requires two hands when used as an improvised weapon?

For me an improvised weapon is not a weapon used in the same way it was designed to use just to bypass it's properties, it's got to be used in a different fashion, or be an object that is not a weapon at all but is being used as one. When an item is specifically requiring two hands to use and is used in the same fashion but with only one hand, that doesn't qualify enought for me as a DM.

 

[Bacon Bits]

Could you make attacks with the two-handed weapon with disadvantage? Just curious

No. Using a shield requires either holding on to a handle with your hand, or the shield is strapped to your arm with your hand holding a handle. No matter the configuration your entire hand is behind the shield. Shields aren't strapped to your forearm in such a way to give your wrists full movement (not even bucklers, in spite of several D&D editions claiming otherwise). That's a great way to get your wrist broken or hand chopped off when you block an attack. That means the greatsword, which, you remember, has a long handle, long blade, and very probably has fairly long quillons can only be held in just two ways because it's restricted by your shield. Not only would you be unable to use your shield at the same time, you'll have no blade maneuverability and will not able able to use your arm strength to swing the weapon effectively. Even if you manage to hold on to it, anyone who uses their weapon to control the end of your blade will simply disarm you or break your arm or wrist with all the nice leverage you've given them, just like a skier's legs if the heel locks fail to break away.

 

[Ancalagon]

As someone who's used a number of swords (I'm no expert, but I have the proficiency ), there are clearly limitations on what you can do effectively with a large sword.

There are arming swords - think a viking sword, a knightly sword etc. These have a short grip that fits one hand and that is it (btw, this makes the sword harder to disarm - a long handle sticking out can be a weakness). IMO this is a D&D longsword that isn't versatile.


Then there is the "hand and a half sword" - a sword with a slightly longer blade (inch or two at most) and a slightly longer handle. It can be swung with one hand quite well but the handle can accommodate a second hand fairly well, although frequently this hand will grasp the *pommel* to get superior leverage. This specific sword is the one I'm most familiar with and used fairly frequently:

http://casiberia.com/product/albrecht-ii-hand-and-a-half-sword/sh2034 (I have the "practical" version of this which is very blunt for safety reasons).
another example:
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-medieval-mercenary-xva.htm (would *looove* this one).

I think hand and a half sword really represents the D&D longsword.


After that... well what is a greatsword? Well that gets complicated.

You have the "historical" longsword, which is a lot like a hand an a half sword except the blade is a few inch longer, but the main difference is the handle is a lot longer. This allows the user to put in a *lot* of torque (ie leverage) and deliver powerful and *very fast* blows. It's also an excellent defensive weapon.

http://casiberia.com/product/tinker-longsword-sharp/sh2394
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-medieval-munich-xviiib.htm

As far as I know, Dd&D doesn't have this specific weapon.

Can this weapon be used one handed? Yes! But not as well as an arming word or a hand and a half sword. While the hand and a half is made to optimize both style of fighting (ie, the "bastard" sword), the longsword is clearly optimized for 2 handed use. Still the blade is not so long or heavy that a one handed strike is impossible.


Finally, we have the D&D "greatsword", an enormous blade that just is too big for 1 handed use. This includes things like the larger claymores, the zweihanders etc...

http://casiberia.com/product/lowlander-sword/sh2065

This beast was owned by a friend of mine who was *huge* - he was 6'5" and very strong. I can't even handle a blade this size. Even for him, swinging it one handed would have been almost impossible. I believe that such weapons were designed for very large/strong men


SO. Based on this, greatsword swinging is impossible (and we really miss the "proper" longsword)... BUT.... well historically sword produced were on a spectrum. What about a two handed sword not for my giant friend but for a slightly tall guy like me (5'11")? Like a more reasonable claymore?
http://casiberia.com/product/claymore-antiqued/sh2060n
or something like
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-2hander-archduke.htm

I could use this two handed (although not with the speed of a longsword). Should it have the stats of a greatsword? Probably. Is it swingable with one hand? I don't know...

 

[S'mon]

Here's Matt Easton using a rather overweight greatsword (Venetian two-handed sword, 8lb, 48" blade, about 5'4" total length) one-handed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbNL_At0IVw

He's probably around STR 13-14 in D&D terms, STR 20 would find it easier.

 

[Hriston]

I'd allow a one-handed attack with a two-handed weapon using the improvised weapon rules. Forgoing your proficiency bonus and doing only 1d4 damage seems like enough of a penalty to me.