Weapon choice for a TWF ranger

[Plecak]

Hi guys,

I am building a two-weapon style ranger focused on mobility and speed. The guy is a half-elf, 13-th level, and has the following ability scores: Str: 14, Dex: 20 (24), Con: 12, Int: 16, Wis: 16, Cha:12. The feats I have chosen are: Combat Expertise, Dodge, Mobility and Spring Attack.

Now, my concern is the character's fighting abilities. Basically, I cannot go for Weapon Finesse (and Dex bonus to BAB would be really helpful) and, at the same time, hope to deal a decent amount of damage, even if enlarged. This is particularly important when using Spring Attack (against larger, more dangerous opponents with reach).

What weapon would you recommend for this character? A chain? A double bladed scimitar? A whip? Ideally, I would have him wield 2 finessable weapon dealing 1d8 points of base damage each.

Are there any feats that allow using standard one-handed weapons as if they were light?

Thanx in advance.

 

[IcyCool]

Light Picks. Then add every enchantment, feat, and class ability you can with them that multiplies on a crit, or enhances a crit.

I recommend +5 [Energy Burst] Collision.

Another option:

Exotic Weapon Proficiency and the Two-bladed sword. Both sides do 1d8 base damage, and the off-hand side is considered light for two weapon fighting.

 

[Thanee]

Not sure if there's a feat that allows normal weapons as light, but there is one, that cancels the extra penalty (Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting). However, you would still attack with Str then.

There is some Double Strike (not sure about the name) feat in Complete Adventurer (pretty sure it's in there), which allows to attack with both weapons as one standard action (good for Spring Attack).

I guess shortswords are the best standard weapon for such a character. Dealing lots of damage this way is not easy, though, unless you fight against Favored Enemies often and have other sources to add damage (i.e. energy weapon enchantments).

Bye
Thanee

 

[RigaMortus2]

Doesn't TWF kinda defeat the purpose of Spring Attack (and vice versa)?

 

[Stalker0]

In general I think going two shortswords is better than longsword/ss because you can get the +1 from weapon focus on both weapons. Imo the +1 to attacks more than outweighs the -1 average damage. However, since your wanting to enlarged, 1d8 is the way to go, as the jump to 2d6 is far more than any other weapon.

 

[Hypersmurf]

There is some Double Strike (not sure about the name) feat in Complete Adventurer (pretty sure it's in there), which allows to attack with both weapons as one standard action (good for Spring Attack).

A standard action, but not the Attack action... so it doesn't work with Spring Attack. (In the same way that Manyshot doesn't work with Shot on the Run.)

I'd need to check the feat text, but I think a half-elf's Elven Blood racial feature would possibly let him use the Improved Weapon Familiarity feat for elven weapons - which would give you proficiency with the Elven Thinblade, Lightblade, and Courtblade, all of which are Finessable. If you're set on a/ getting the base damage of your weapon up, b/ using Weapon Finesse, and c/ fighting with two weapons, paired Elven Thinblades with Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting is probably the way to do it.

But as has been suggested earlier in the thread - at high levels, base damage is overwhelmed by bonus damage anyway. The difference between the 1d6 shortsword and the 1d8 longsword is insignificant.

The main advantage of using two one-handed weapons with OTWF, though, is that you can Power Attack with both of them.

-Hyp.

 

[Legildur]

Quarterstaff!!

 

[Artoomis]

...There is some Double Strike (not sure about the name) feat in Complete Adventurer (pretty sure it's in there), which allows to attack with both weapons as one standard action (good for Spring Attack)....

Bye
Thanee

Dual Strike. I'd probably allow it, but note that you get only one attack roll for both weapons and only one of them can score a critical.

 

[Thanee]

A standard action, but not the Attack action... so it doesn't work with Spring Attack.

Right. Too bad.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Plane Sailing]

I'd recommend a quarterstaff (use 2H when you get a single attack like when spring attacking, otherwise use as double weapon). Combine this with lots of potions of oil of shillelagh (50gp, lasts for 1 minute) and you become a terror in combat - since shillelagh means both ends of your staff do damage as if you are two sizes larger (1d6 becomes 2d6), I believe it should stack with 'enlarge person', which would mean a shillelaghe'd quarterstaff becomes a +1 weapon doing 4d6 base damage.

Nice eh?