Two-Handed Weapons and 1.5 x STR Mod...Too Much?

[Hypersmurf]

It doesn't make a lot of sense to say that an axe can cut a long slit in a purple worm's stomach (so the PC can get out) but a dagger can't. Axes are for hacking deep, but short holes. A dagger (or shortsword) would be the thing to use for drawing a long, slice to escape from.

And the spiked gauntlet, light lance, or light pick?

-Hyp.

 

[Pax]

These Do Not Stack. You get 22 + 17 = 39 AC.

-- Nifft

Oh, they most assuredly DO.

The AC bonus from a Large Shield is an ARMOR bonus, which specifically stacks with the armor bonus from worn armor.

The Shield spell gives a COVER bonus.

The two fully stack.

 

[LokiDR]

I've seen any number of monks who don't carry any weapons at all, or mages who just have a staff, or clerics who have morningstar and crossbow.

Not everyone carries a dagger, so even with piercing weapons allowed to cut their way out, not everyone can do it.

It's simply not something everyone takes into consideration.

I am not talking about an oversight. I am talking about a character who worries about a matter only having one option. For example, there are 2 ways to escape a grapple: str based grapple check and dex based escape artist. If you worry about it, you have more options. Not always true, but it keeps the game more interesting than one out per one attack.

As far as differentiation goes... how is "carry one of six different weapons" more restrictive than "only thieves' tools can open locks"?

The more characters that have to do it, the more options there should be. You could pick lock, or the fighter could smash it. Different approaches for the same result, open door/chest.

As far as certain choices being better or worse than others... when was the last time you saw anyone in 3E choose to wear Splint or Banded mail?

As Elder-Basilisk pointed out, armor functions a lot on price. Still, even at high levels there are characters wearing breast plates, chain shirts, and even leather. No one armor is best for all characters, even if some are worse.