x2 strength bonus when using 2h weapons now

[Krug]

I thought that was ninjas

Even with the tower shield, given the new DR, it seems insane to me to consider going for anything but a 2h weapon.

The Two Weapon types will still have their day!

 

[Technik4]

While mechanically it seems better to mirror Power Attack, this is one of those changes that will rankle people but make the game easier to play.

It would be nice if there were a feat which gave full strength on both ends of a double weapon.

Nice to see sword and board get the freakin cool new Tower Shield. Use it like a regular shield at +4 AC, or switch to cover and hope you aren't up against archers with Imp Precise Shot

Damage
20 Str (Half Orc Max)
+4 Rage
=
24 Str, +14 Damage, with a great sword that is a min of 16.

+2 Power Attack makes a min of 18 damage.

To Hit
20 Str (Half Orc Max)
+4 Rage
=
24 Str, +7 to hit normally, +9 while charging.

-1 Power Attack makes it +8 to hit.

+8 to hit for 18-28 damage can regularly kill a 1st-3rd level NPC Fighter (3.0e). In one hit. Yeoowch. And on a crit...

Half-Orcs are still balanced...however they are still also not very flavorful.

Technik

 

[coyote6]

Uh-oh, this must mean that ninjas are going to get a real big powerboost.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Seeing the Weapon Finesse change will take a little wind out of the TWF sails ...

 

[Branduil]

The fact that you can get x2 damage with Greatswords doesn't suck. What sucks(and doesn't make any sense) is the TWFighters can't use their full str bonus on both hands.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

This just in from Andy refernce this topic:

Be careful what you believe without seeing it yourself.
Andy Collins
Senior Designer
Wizards of the Coast Roleplaying R&D

Shadowstar may have gotten something wrong.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

140. Are there any changes or clarifications to blink?

(the 3e version was a 50% miss chance for the enemies (20% if they could see ethereal creatures, 20% if they had a ghost touch weapon or could hurt ethereal creatures, 0% if neither applied); gave the PC a 20% miss chance, let him take 1/2 damage from area effect spells, and denied opponents the use of their dex bonus (blindfight didn't help; it was unclear if uncanny dodge allowed retention of the foe's dex bonus)).

141. Are there changes to the stats of armors?

(My guesses for "most likely to change" would be Chain shirt (currently 25 lb, +4 armor, +4 max dex, 20% ASF; breastplate (currently+5 armor, +3 max dex, 25% ASF)

 

[elbandit]

well...

Considering how many questiosn he was answering he made have been mistaken and thought the question was about Power Attack.

Just my thoughts on it. I am glad he is willing to answer the questions.

 

[Bauglir]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
116) Do you still get 1.5 x your Str bonus on damage with two-handed weapons?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No now it's x2, and this also applies to Power Attack damage.

There's the relevant text. He seems pretty clear about it, although I wouldn't blame him if he got some details wrong in the hail of questions.

 

[Ruvion]

From what we know from ShadowStar thus far...

it looks like with the advent of two-handed fighters gaining x2 strength bonus to damage and x2 bonus to damage from Power Attack I do not know if I want to play a sword & boarder or a two-weapon fighter...

especially after finding out that the penalties of two-weapon fighting is still -6/-10 (if off-hand weapon is light -4/-8 and off-hand attack is still only at half strength bonus to damage) and this time with no Ambidexterity feat to close the gap between off-hand attack bonus and primary hand attack bonus.

and it looks like sword & boarder will have to fight with a tower shield in order to be "viable" and compete with the two-hander. Me likes my large steel shield!

we may have to wait until we can see the whole picture come September...but I'm not counting my beans just yet.