Which sword would you take?

[Hypersmurf]

Either one will beat DR X/Epic against its specific focus, so that's not a consideration, at least

-Hyp.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Sword two the Wielder gains +1 to AC, saves, and initiative when sword is wielded or carried, is the factor that puts it over for me.

 

[Boddha]

#2, the flavour has more appeal to me, I tend not to be too fussed with the mechanics of items as long as they seem cool.

 

[Sammael]

Tough choice. I'll vote for #2 as a more powerful weapon, but it greatly depends on the campaign.

 

[Ze]

Here are the two of them without the shared features:

Bastard sword +5 Defender
• Bane weapon against Lower Planar Creatures (Evil Outsiders)
• Radiates Protection from evil (as spell) upon the wielder when drawn


Bastard sword +3 Frost Brand, +6 vs. fire-using/dwelling creatures
• Icy burst weapon does 1d6 frost damage per normal hit and on a critical hit does 1d6 frost damage and 1d10 icy burst damage
• Protects wielder as if wearing a ring of fire resistance (major)
• As standard action can dispel magical fires such as a wall of fire on a dispel check {1d20+14} or quench non-magical fires by being brought in to contact with them
• Wielder gains +1 to AC, saves, and initiative when sword is wielded or carried

Although the Protection from Evil effect is VERY VERY VERY attractive, sword #2 has the +1 to AC-saves-init...
Uhm... let's say that if my character had Improved Crit (bastard sword) then I'd pick sword #2 without any doubt, to exploit the Icy Burst.

 

[diaglo]

neither.

i'd choose my grandfather's ancestral sword.

 

[Tetsubo]

I'd take #2. I've loved Frost Brand swords since 1E...

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Neither. I think sentient swords are one of the dumbest things in D&D.

 

[diaglo]

Neither. I think sentient swords are one of the dumbest things in D&D.

in 2000ed or 3.11ed for Workgroups terms i'd make the PC take the Leadership feat or similar feat. and make the sword a cohort.

 

[Mercule]

I'd take #2. I like frost brands, and I think the over-all bonus damage of the +1d6 to any non-cold critter would beat out the +2d6 to fiends.

On a personal level, I get overly warm really quickly (around 75F, I have a hard time functioning), so the heat/fire resistance is a cincher.