1h weapons used 2h [Archive] - Wizards Community

1h weapons used 2h [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Shadowfax7
04-02-05, 12:18 PM Can all 1h weapons in D&D be used 2h for the added Str bonus, if any ??

Or should you use common sense and limit the weapons depending on whether there is room for a 2nd hand on the handle, if the weapon has a handle ??

eg. Scimitar shouldn't be usable 2h as there seems to be no room for 2 hands on a historical Scimitar.
Count Arioch the 28th
04-02-05, 12:21 PM The rules are pretty clear on the matter. All one handed weapons can be used two handed for the strength bonus, including power attack bonus.

However, light weapons cannot be used in that way. (And if I recall correctly, there's text on the rapier weapon description that says it cannot be used two handed despite it being a one handed weapon.)
Someone
04-02-05, 12:27 PM I'm pretty sure you can't use light weapons with two hands, but yes, you can use any one-handed weapon with both hands. And while you will gain Str and a half for bonus damge and 2:1 Power Attack like a true 2h weapon, you're still doing comparatively weaker damage.

As for handle length, one could probably double up the hands, one over the other, you just wouldn't have the leverage gained from having them separated. Which is pretty much covered by the difference in damage dice.

p.s.: I need to be quicker on the post with these things...
Count Arioch the 28th
04-02-05, 12:32 PM Just call me Speedy McSpeederton. :P
Beamup
04-02-05, 12:41 PM No. It is not possible to use all 1h weapons as 2h for the added Str bonus.

The Rapier cannot be so used, in particular. But, any 1h weapon that doesn't specifically forbid it (as the Rapier does) can.
Shadowfax7
04-02-05, 12:59 PM Thanx for the replies.

I agree with your posts and the reading of the rules . . . now I am wondering whether it is worth a house rule in the distant future.

In the last game, a player used his scimitar 2h to disarm an opponent, obviously I allowed it as I knew no rule to contradict this, but it left me with a feeling that it shouldn't be allowed as a Scinmitar's handle doesn't have the space for 2 hands.
howlingwolf
04-02-05, 01:12 PM Back in 2e I believe, as common sense dictated, ( I think it was complete fighter. ) you could use a 1h weapon 2h and get a extra half of your strength bonus to damage. :confused:

And well, as for using two hands on a plain ol' sword, watch a few movies. When the good-bad guy are locking up, they tend not to worry about room for their second hand when they're trying not to get their neck sliced.

Usually it's a case of just locking fingers and wailing on whoever has PO'ed them. :D
Shadowfax7
04-03-05, 04:31 AM Back in 2e I believe, as common sense dictated, ( I think it was complete fighter. ) you could use a 1h weapon 2h and get a extra half of your strength bonus to damage. :confused:

In 2e it was a +1 to damage, but you needed 2h weapon proficiency to get this bonus, which would be the equivalent of a feat now in 3e/3.5e.
Nom
04-03-05, 05:18 AM The relevant rules are on pg 113 of the PH.

A light weapon is used in one hand (primary or off). If used in the primary hand, add Str bonus to damage. If used in the off hand, add 1/2 Str bonus to damage.

A one-handed weapon may be used in the primary hand, the off hand, or two hands. If used in both hands, add 1.5x Str bonus to damage, otherwise as for a light weapon.

A two-handed weapon must be wielded in both hands. Add 1.5x Str bonus to damage.

In all cases, a Str penalty is applied unmodified (PH pg 134).

Power Attack (PH pg 98) varies by weapon. Power attack provides no benefit to light weapons, adds 1 damage for each point of to-hit penalty to a one-handed weapon wielded in one hand, and adds 2 damage for each point of to-hit penalty for a weapon wielded in two hands. In the unusual case of a one-handed weapon wielded in each hand, both would benefit from Power Attack.

Note that when using a double weapon that the character may declare it to be either a one-handed and a light weapon or a two-handed weapon, each round.
simen_88
04-03-05, 09:35 AM A one-handed weapon that is not the rapier gives you extra damage for wielding it two-handed. I do not recall the rules stating you can't wield light weapons two-handed, only that you do not gain the extra damage.
Nom
04-03-05, 11:12 AM I do not recall the rules stating you can't wield light weapons two-handed, only that you do not gain the extra damage.Pehaps the previous post might help you find them. :rolleyes:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Shadowfax7 04-02-05, 12:18 PM	Can all 1h weapons in D&D be used 2h for the added Str bonus, if any ?? Or should you use common sense and limit the weapons depending on whether there is room for a 2nd hand on the handle, if the weapon has a handle ?? eg. Scimitar shouldn't be usable 2h as there seems to be no room for 2 hands on a historical Scimitar.
Count Arioch the 28th 04-02-05, 12:21 PM	The rules are pretty clear on the matter. All one handed weapons can be used two handed for the strength bonus, including power attack bonus. However, light weapons cannot be used in that way. (And if I recall correctly, there's text on the rapier weapon description that says it cannot be used two handed despite it being a one handed weapon.)
Someone 04-02-05, 12:27 PM	I'm pretty sure you can't use light weapons with two hands, but yes, you can use any one-handed weapon with both hands. And while you will gain Str and a half for bonus damge and 2:1 Power Attack like a true 2h weapon, you're still doing comparatively weaker damage. As for handle length, one could probably double up the hands, one over the other, you just wouldn't have the leverage gained from having them separated. Which is pretty much covered by the difference in damage dice. p.s.: I need to be quicker on the post with these things...
Count Arioch the 28th 04-02-05, 12:32 PM	Just call me Speedy McSpeederton. :P
Beamup 04-02-05, 12:41 PM	No. It is not possible to use all 1h weapons as 2h for the added Str bonus. The Rapier cannot be so used, in particular. But, any 1h weapon that doesn't specifically forbid it (as the Rapier does) can.
Shadowfax7 04-02-05, 12:59 PM	Thanx for the replies. I agree with your posts and the reading of the rules . . . now I am wondering whether it is worth a house rule in the distant future. In the last game, a player used his scimitar 2h to disarm an opponent, obviously I allowed it as I knew no rule to contradict this, but it left me with a feeling that it shouldn't be allowed as a Scinmitar's handle doesn't have the space for 2 hands.
howlingwolf 04-02-05, 01:12 PM	Back in 2e I believe, as common sense dictated, ( I think it was complete fighter. ) you could use a 1h weapon 2h and get a extra half of your strength bonus to damage. :confused: And well, as for using two hands on a plain ol' sword, watch a few movies. When the good-bad guy are locking up, they tend not to worry about room for their second hand when they're trying not to get their neck sliced. Usually it's a case of just locking fingers and wailing on whoever has PO'ed them. :D
Shadowfax7 04-03-05, 04:31 AM	Back in 2e I believe, as common sense dictated, ( I think it was complete fighter. ) you could use a 1h weapon 2h and get a extra half of your strength bonus to damage. :confused: In 2e it was a +1 to damage, but you needed 2h weapon proficiency to get this bonus, which would be the equivalent of a feat now in 3e/3.5e.
Nom 04-03-05, 05:18 AM	The relevant rules are on pg 113 of the PH. A light weapon is used in one hand (primary or off). If used in the primary hand, add Str bonus to damage. If used in the off hand, add 1/2 Str bonus to damage. A one-handed weapon may be used in the primary hand, the off hand, or two hands. If used in both hands, add 1.5x Str bonus to damage, otherwise as for a light weapon. A two-handed weapon must be wielded in both hands. Add 1.5x Str bonus to damage. In all cases, a Str penalty is applied unmodified (PH pg 134). Power Attack (PH pg 98) varies by weapon. Power attack provides no benefit to light weapons, adds 1 damage for each point of to-hit penalty to a one-handed weapon wielded in one hand, and adds 2 damage for each point of to-hit penalty for a weapon wielded in two hands. In the unusual case of a one-handed weapon wielded in each hand, both would benefit from Power Attack. Note that when using a double weapon that the character may declare it to be either a one-handed and a light weapon or a two-handed weapon, each round.
simen_88 04-03-05, 09:35 AM	A one-handed weapon that is not the rapier gives you extra damage for wielding it two-handed. I do not recall the rules stating you can't wield light weapons two-handed, only that you do not gain the extra damage.
Nom 04-03-05, 11:12 AM	I do not recall the rules stating you can't wield light weapons two-handed, only that you do not gain the extra damage.Pehaps the previous post might help you find them. :rolleyes: