1 Handed vs 2 Handed weapons [Archive] - Wizards Community

1 Handed vs 2 Handed weapons [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Save-vs-DM
11-22-06, 05:42 PM So, I have an Orc Crusader with a 22 Strength. I'm the primary melee damage dealer and the only real tank in the party (We have a wizard, cloistered cleric, rogue, and a mounted halfling who won't stay in melee at all). As such, I've been the one that has to soak all the damage, and I've found a shield to be very useful. However, I'll soon have Power Attack (in addition to Stone Power), and I keep thinking that the loss of two points of AC would very much be worth the extra damage output. My question is, am I correct in my thinking. So far my Steely Resolve, Stone Power feat, and maneuvers have kept me verticle, so I'm thinking of ditching the shield and going with a two hander. Only question is, which one?

I've narrowed it down to Falchion or Greatsword. Currently I'm favoring the Falchion, as my excellent strength score combined with power attack will make criticals much more enticing than an extra 2 points of damage.

Still, any opinions?

Cheers,
Save vs DM
Rowan_Whispercloak
11-22-06, 05:57 PM I would suggest that you carry a falchion (or greatsword, it being more common on the random generated weapon chart, but either can work, it whichever you prefer) as well as a warhammer and shield. The falchion can be used when you don't need to worry as much on AC as damage and the warhammer and shield for when AC is helpful, not to mention giving you a backup weapon of a different damage type than your main.

You could also hope to find or buy a animated shield and that would give you a shield for AC and the ability to use a two-handed weapon.
Save-vs-DM
11-22-06, 06:13 PM You could also hope to find or buy a animated shield and that would give you a shield for AC and the ability to use a two-handed weapon.

These don't exist in games I run and play in (since we keep the same house rules across multiple games).

Actually, I use a Morningstar as my Backup, since I find it to be the best backup weapon around.

Cheers,
Save vs DM
Kaiosama214
11-23-06, 12:21 PM Why not get the best of both worlds, and go with a Great Falchion (out of Sand Storm)? 1d10 dmg, 18-20/x2 crit....slightly less damage than the Greatsword, but more than the standard Falchion, and a keen one crits 25% of the time!
Llochlyn
11-23-06, 12:30 PM falchion is better with the stance that lets you reroll damage dice when they hit their max, so great falchion, while nice, is not the best for a crusader (that and it's a Devoted Spirit weapon)
NoldorForce
11-23-06, 12:42 PM What's your level? If it's not too low (ie, where base weapon damage doesn't matter anymore)...one of my favorite candidates for a two-handed weapon has been the shield bash wielded two-handed in conjunction with Improved Shield Bash.

Going by your original question, however...I'd say falchion for the same reasons you gave.
Save-vs-DM
11-23-06, 12:50 PM I'm only level 2, though most of my feat choices are already plotted out. I've thought about the other Sandstorm weapons, though I really don't have the feats to spare on exotic weapon proficiencies.

Cheers,
Save vs DM
DaveTheMagicWeasel
11-23-06, 12:56 PM Improved Buckler Defence? By RAW I think it only works with TWF, but you can always try asking your DM.

Failing that, ask the Wizard to craft you a Ring of Shield 3/day, or similar.
Green_eyes
11-23-06, 01:07 PM Jovar (Planes) - is a Greatsword (it counts as one) with 18-20/x2
It is an exotic weapon though.
jstorrie
11-23-06, 02:53 PM The loss of AC is not insurmountable - it's only going to be two points now, and only ever seven at the highest point - whereas foregoing two-handed Power Attack damage will severely hamper your ability to serve as party tank. I strongly recommend you get a falchion, greatsword or reach weapon going and relegate the shield to backup duty.
GaffeR
11-23-06, 03:51 PM Two hander for sure. I think the Falcion pulls ahead of the Greatsword for damage after a certain number of bonus damage. Can't recall what though.

Focus on healing, DR, maybe miss chance.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Save-vs-DM 11-22-06, 05:42 PM	So, I have an Orc Crusader with a 22 Strength. I'm the primary melee damage dealer and the only real tank in the party (We have a wizard, cloistered cleric, rogue, and a mounted halfling who won't stay in melee at all). As such, I've been the one that has to soak all the damage, and I've found a shield to be very useful. However, I'll soon have Power Attack (in addition to Stone Power), and I keep thinking that the loss of two points of AC would very much be worth the extra damage output. My question is, am I correct in my thinking. So far my Steely Resolve, Stone Power feat, and maneuvers have kept me verticle, so I'm thinking of ditching the shield and going with a two hander. Only question is, which one? I've narrowed it down to Falchion or Greatsword. Currently I'm favoring the Falchion, as my excellent strength score combined with power attack will make criticals much more enticing than an extra 2 points of damage. Still, any opinions? Cheers, Save vs DM
Rowan_Whispercloak 11-22-06, 05:57 PM	I would suggest that you carry a falchion (or greatsword, it being more common on the random generated weapon chart, but either can work, it whichever you prefer) as well as a warhammer and shield. The falchion can be used when you don't need to worry as much on AC as damage and the warhammer and shield for when AC is helpful, not to mention giving you a backup weapon of a different damage type than your main. You could also hope to find or buy a animated shield and that would give you a shield for AC and the ability to use a two-handed weapon.
Save-vs-DM 11-22-06, 06:13 PM	You could also hope to find or buy a animated shield and that would give you a shield for AC and the ability to use a two-handed weapon. These don't exist in games I run and play in (since we keep the same house rules across multiple games). Actually, I use a Morningstar as my Backup, since I find it to be the best backup weapon around. Cheers, Save vs DM
Kaiosama214 11-23-06, 12:21 PM	Why not get the best of both worlds, and go with a Great Falchion (out of Sand Storm)? 1d10 dmg, 18-20/x2 crit....slightly less damage than the Greatsword, but more than the standard Falchion, and a keen one crits 25% of the time!
Llochlyn 11-23-06, 12:30 PM	falchion is better with the stance that lets you reroll damage dice when they hit their max, so great falchion, while nice, is not the best for a crusader (that and it's a Devoted Spirit weapon)
NoldorForce 11-23-06, 12:42 PM	What's your level? If it's not too low (ie, where base weapon damage doesn't matter anymore)...one of my favorite candidates for a two-handed weapon has been the shield bash wielded two-handed in conjunction with Improved Shield Bash. Going by your original question, however...I'd say falchion for the same reasons you gave.
Save-vs-DM 11-23-06, 12:50 PM	I'm only level 2, though most of my feat choices are already plotted out. I've thought about the other Sandstorm weapons, though I really don't have the feats to spare on exotic weapon proficiencies. Cheers, Save vs DM
DaveTheMagicWeasel 11-23-06, 12:56 PM	Improved Buckler Defence? By RAW I think it only works with TWF, but you can always try asking your DM. Failing that, ask the Wizard to craft you a Ring of Shield 3/day, or similar.
Green_eyes 11-23-06, 01:07 PM	Jovar (Planes) - is a Greatsword (it counts as one) with 18-20/x2 It is an exotic weapon though.
jstorrie 11-23-06, 02:53 PM	The loss of AC is not insurmountable - it's only going to be two points now, and only ever seven at the highest point - whereas foregoing two-handed Power Attack damage will severely hamper your ability to serve as party tank. I strongly recommend you get a falchion, greatsword or reach weapon going and relegate the shield to backup duty.
GaffeR 11-23-06, 03:51 PM	Two hander for sure. I think the Falcion pulls ahead of the Greatsword for damage after a certain number of bonus damage. Can't recall what though. Focus on healing, DR, maybe miss chance.