Two-Weapon Fighting with Armor Spikes

[devoblue]

Using two of the same weapon pretty much means using handaxes or shortswords, or coping the penalty for not using a light weapon. It is possible to get armor spikes with elemental burst so that cancels out. Looks like the answer is that the regular TWF guy doesn't compete at all.

The obvious question then is, how does a great(sword|axe)/power attack fighter compete with the armor spikes/twf/great(sword|axe)/power attack fighter, given only one extra feat is required to achieve the later?

 

[Thanee]

I think the latter is fair. Attack penalty, feat, that balances the extra attack with armor spikes.

Two-handed weapon + PA is simply superior to two light weapons + TWF in 3.5.

In 3.0 they were roughly equal (altho the two feats hurt), but the new PA has shifted the balance considerably IMHO.

I'd just allow PA to be used with light weapons as a house rule.

Bye
Thanee

 

[devoblue]

I'd just allow PA to be used with light weapons as a house rule.

So we can power attack/cleave with armor spikes?

I think you are right that that the attack penalties balance, until you get into the higher levels where characters have things like flaming burst armor spikes in addition to whatever their greatsword is.

 

[Thanee]

Well you could rule out armor spikes specifically, if you think that would be better.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Pax]

Simple solution #1 - armor spikes (and armor razors, from Underdark) have an innate reach of 0' - IOW, they can only be used to attack foes in yoru own space.

Simple solution #2 - instead of the above, treat armor spikes and armor razors as unarmed attacks, which (without the right feat(s)) provoke attacks of opportunity.

Personally, I favor #1, but YMMV.

 

[devoblue]

Solution #1 is very good and I favor that.
Solution #2 causes inconsistencies with the spiked gauntlet that will need their own exceptions/solutions.

 

[Darklone]

I like the reach 0 rule as well.

Guess I simply treat the armour spikes always as an "offhand" weapon with -4 to attack.

 

[Thanee]

Simple solution #1 - armor spikes (and armor razors, from Underdark) have an innate reach of 0' - IOW, they can only be used to attack foes in your own space.

But, but... that will TOTALLY CRIPPLE armor spikes!!!!!!!!!1111
It's GROSSLY UNFAIR compared to other martial weapons!!!!!!11111

j/k

I actually like that idea.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Darklone]

Hmm. Assuming you have tumble or some other AoO-negater, it doesn't change a lot... or do you have to squeeze when you occupy your space with someone else?

 

[Pax]

Heck, there's a feat in Races of Faerun - "Low Blow", I think - that specifically involves you stepping into your opponent's space, getting in one attack, and then steppign back out. The whole process provokes a SINGLE AoO, but ... if your opponent is flatfooted, 'cause you're an Invisible Blade with free-action Feints ... heh.

Thanee ... since you've decided to make a reference to the Sorceror issue: this is a different case entirely. This is seeing soething that is a problem, and changing it to fix it. Your handling of sorcerors is creating the problem itself. ^_^