weapon speeds

[Ciaran]

We ran a bit of a test on this once, back in the days of 1E. One of the gamers was a fitter and turner, and made us a length of stell that matched the length and weight for a 2 handed sword, as per the PHB stats. We too turns trying to "stab" him with a plastic knif, and I don't think one of did without getting clunked by the "sword" first.

It's a good thing that no character in D&D can survive a single hit from a two-handed sword! Because if they could, then you'd have had to figure out what happens when the guy with the knife gets inside the reach of the guy with the two-handed sword, and obviously that would be far too complicated to test.

 

[Thurbane]

It's a good thing that no character in D&D can survive a single hit from a two-handed sword! Because if they could, then you'd have had to figure out what happens when the guy with the knife gets inside the reach of the guy with the two-handed sword, and obviously that would be far too complicated to test.

I think you just broke my sarcasm-meter...

 

[Storyteller01]

Not really needed. The whole point of BaB is to show improvement in using weapons you know how to wield. This means accomadating for it's weaknesses. You're moving as fast/slow as needed to either take advantage of an opening or to create one.

 

[Storyteller01]

We ran a bit of a test on this once, back in the days of 1E. One of the gamers was a fitter and turner, and made us a length of stell that matched the length and weight for a 2 handed sword, as per the PHB stats. We too turns trying to "stab" him with a plastic knif, and I don't think one of did without getting clunked by the "sword" first.

My iaido instructor prided himself on taking folks down with a wakizashi, against their katana. It's not so much that the weapons faster as you have to be faster (and more aggresive) to make it work. The nanoseconds you gain in speed are cancelled by the weapons length.

A katana (or any sword) doesn't have to make full to damage a weapon wielding arm, head, etc.

 

[magic_gathering2001]

If you want to do anything, try a penalty on attack in addtion for the speed increase. A more competant fighter with an even slightly faster weapon can take better advantage of it. Maybe a flurry effect?