Holding and Dropping weapons [Archive] - Wizards Community

Holding and Dropping weapons [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Karui_Kage
08-19-07, 09:53 PM This only concerns medium creatures, and medium sized weapons.

My main question is: can a character hold a weapon in one hand to draw and fight with a one-handed weapon in their other? (Assuming no two weapon fighting skill)

For example, a character is carrying a battle axe (one handed weapon) and wants to start using their heavy mace instead (another one handed weapon). Could he draw the heavy mace as a move action, and start attacking with it, his battle axe going to his other hand?

Or, what about two-handed weapons? Could a character using a longbow hold it in one hand while drawing and using a short sword in their other hand?

Basically, does a character need to spend a move action to sheathe and a move action to draw a new weapon before being allowed to use it? Or can they just transfer a current weapon to a free hand, and draw (move action) their new one-handed weapon with their other hand and get an attack with it?

Personally, I think it'd be more difficult to use a one-handed weapon while holding another weapon (one or two handed) in their other hand. Maybe a -2 penalty to hit, or something. Thoughts?
Sildatorak
08-19-07, 11:46 PM I don't think it would be any harder to use a weapon in one hand when your other had a 3' blade than a 3' diameter shield. Holding a weapon in your off hand but not using it carries no penalty.
mvincent
08-20-07, 12:01 PM Holding a weapon in your off hand but not using it carries no penalty.Correct. The penalty is only when attacking with both weapons.

Also (when not TWF'ing) even handiness no longer appears to be an issue in 3.5. It's commonly held that you can you can even switch your 'primary' hand from round to round if need be (declared before you make any attacks).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Karui_Kage 08-19-07, 09:53 PM	This only concerns medium creatures, and medium sized weapons. My main question is: can a character hold a weapon in one hand to draw and fight with a one-handed weapon in their other? (Assuming no two weapon fighting skill) For example, a character is carrying a battle axe (one handed weapon) and wants to start using their heavy mace instead (another one handed weapon). Could he draw the heavy mace as a move action, and start attacking with it, his battle axe going to his other hand? Or, what about two-handed weapons? Could a character using a longbow hold it in one hand while drawing and using a short sword in their other hand? Basically, does a character need to spend a move action to sheathe and a move action to draw a new weapon before being allowed to use it? Or can they just transfer a current weapon to a free hand, and draw (move action) their new one-handed weapon with their other hand and get an attack with it? Personally, I think it'd be more difficult to use a one-handed weapon while holding another weapon (one or two handed) in their other hand. Maybe a -2 penalty to hit, or something. Thoughts?
Sildatorak 08-19-07, 11:46 PM	I don't think it would be any harder to use a weapon in one hand when your other had a 3' blade than a 3' diameter shield. Holding a weapon in your off hand but not using it carries no penalty.
mvincent 08-20-07, 12:01 PM	Holding a weapon in your off hand but not using it carries no penalty.Correct. The penalty is only when attacking with both weapons. Also (when not TWF'ing) even handiness no longer appears to be an issue in 3.5. It's commonly held that you can you can even switch your 'primary' hand from round to round if need be (declared before you make any attacks).