Double Weapon [Archive] - Wizards Community

Double Weapon [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
LordCruentus
04-23-07, 02:01 PM I'm making a duskblade and I wanted him to have a Double Weapon, but because some spells have somatic components I'm wondering would I be able to use a Double weapon it one hand?
Captain_Kobold
04-23-07, 02:12 PM A double weapon can be held in one hand, in the same way a wizard with a staff can cast a spell. You need two hands to wield it as a weapon, but not to simply carry it.

. . . Or has my ignorance about the Duskblade class led me to completely misunderstand the question?
LordCruentus
04-23-07, 02:15 PM well I'm wondering if there is any way you could attack with a double weapon in one hand?
Warforged Goblin
04-23-07, 02:23 PM Sadly, no.
LordCruentus
04-23-07, 02:31 PM not even with one side?
Tectorman
04-23-07, 02:34 PM Actually, yes. If you're a human holding a dire flail sized for a halfling, then if you hold it in one hand, you may use one end of it to attack (but not the other). You would still take a penalty for it not being an appropriately sized weapon for you (sadly, we have Monkey Grip, but no way to lessen smaller-size weapon penalties).

Otherwise, that whole "a creature wielding a [insert double weapon's name here] in one hand may only use one end of it to attack" deal is just a waste of ink.
Frugal
04-23-07, 03:31 PM Actually, yes. If you're a human holding a dire flail sized for a halfling, then if you hold it in one hand, you may use one end of it to attack (but not the other). You would still take a penalty for it not being an appropriately sized weapon for you (sadly, we have Monkey Grip, but no way to lessen smaller-size weapon penalties).

Otherwise, that whole "a creature wielding a [insert double weapon's name here] in one hand may only use one end of it to attack" deal is just a waste of ink.

Actually, monkey grip doesn't remove the penalty, it just removes the change in "effort".
runestar
04-23-07, 10:56 PM Actually, you can...:)
The character can also choose to use a double weapon two handed, attacking with only one end of it. A creature wielding a double weapon in one hand can’t use it as a double weapon—only one end of the weapon can be used in any given round.
This means you can wield a double weapon in 1 hand and just use one side of it like a double weapon.
Pezix
04-24-07, 12:42 AM Yeah actually you can have your double weapon in one hand but you will only be able to use one end of it. So if your looking to use it as a double weapon in one hand it won't work, but its still considered a double weapon..... hope that makes since...
runestar
04-24-07, 12:48 AM The funny thing is that going by a literal reading of the two weapon defense feat, you still get the AC bonus even if you are wielding a double weapon in only 1 hand...:P
Pezix
04-24-07, 01:07 AM The funny thing is that going by a literal reading of the two weapon defense feat, you still get the AC bonus even if you are wielding a double weapon in only 1 hand...:P

Thats a nice notice but I guess that would come down to how you interpet the text because the It says "A creature wielding a double weapon in one hand can't use it as a double weapon", But then again in the two weapon defense it just states that "when weilding a double weapon you gain the bonus" So....:confused: But its still a cool thing to notice;)
Egres
04-24-07, 03:12 AM This means you can wield a double weapon in 1 hand and just use one side of it like a double weapon.

Only if you larger than the ideal wielder of the weapon.
Pezix
04-24-07, 04:07 AM Only if you larger than the ideal wielder of the weapon.

No you don't have to be larger to use a double weapon in one hand. You just can only use one side of it.
Captain_Kobold
04-24-07, 07:52 AM No you don't have to be larger to use a double weapon in one hand. You just can only use one side of it.

How do you come to that conclusion? Apart from the Ghost spike, all double weapons I can think of are Two-handed weapons. This means that you must be at least one size larger than the user it is sized for in order to use it in one hand. So, you would be using the smaller weapon, and while wielding it in one hand, could not use both ends.
runestar
04-24-07, 07:57 AM How do you come to that conclusion? Apart from the Ghost spike, all double weapons I can think of are Two-handed weapons. This means that you must be at least one size larger than the user it is sized for in order to use it in one hand. So, you would be using the smaller weapon, and while wielding it in one hand, could not use both ends.
Check the quote I provided above. The PHB entry does state that you are allowed to wield double weapons with 1 hand and attack with just 1 end.

This means that with a double axe, I can TWF with it, wield it with both hands as a 2-handed weapon, or wield it with 1 hand as a 1-handed weapon.:)
Captain_Kobold
04-24-07, 08:33 AM Check the quote I provided above. The PHB entry does state that you are allowed to wield double weapons with 1 hand and attack with just 1 end.

This means that with a double axe, I can TWF with it, wield it with both hands as a 2-handed weapon, or wield it with 1 hand as a 1-handed weapon.:)

What, this quote?

The character can also choose to use a double weapon two handed, attacking with only one end of it. A creature wielding a double weapon in one hand can’t use it as a double weapon—only one end of the weapon can be used in any given round.

Perhaps you should have included all of the PHB entry that you provided. The entirety of it reads:

The character can also choose to use a double weapon two handed, attacking with only one end of it. A creature wielding a double weapon in one hand (such as a human wielding a small two-bladed sword) can’t use it as a double weapon—only one end of the weapon can be used in any given round.

I have bolded the part that you missed. While examples and flavor text like this aren't included in the SRD, they are in the PHB.
Tectorman
04-24-07, 03:28 PM Yeah, I asked this very same question in a thread I started and the majority answer (with the SRD behind them) was that a two-handed weapon of a certain size category is always a two-handed weapon of that size category and the only way to change it would be to shrink the weapon or to grow the person.
Prime32
04-24-07, 05:43 PM Just take the Somatic Weaponry feat. It lets you use somatic components while wielding a weapon.
Necromas
04-24-07, 06:01 PM Removing a hand from your weapon to cast a spell, and putting the hand back on the weapon are both free actions. Thus a Duskblade using a double weapon in combat is never hindered in the spellcasting department. Same with using a two handed weapon. As long as you keep your other hand on the weapon you don't have to drop it or re-draw it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
LordCruentus 04-23-07, 02:01 PM	I'm making a duskblade and I wanted him to have a Double Weapon, but because some spells have somatic components I'm wondering would I be able to use a Double weapon it one hand?
Captain_Kobold 04-23-07, 02:12 PM	A double weapon can be held in one hand, in the same way a wizard with a staff can cast a spell. You need two hands to wield it as a weapon, but not to simply carry it. . . . Or has my ignorance about the Duskblade class led me to completely misunderstand the question?
LordCruentus 04-23-07, 02:15 PM	well I'm wondering if there is any way you could attack with a double weapon in one hand?
Warforged Goblin 04-23-07, 02:23 PM	Sadly, no.
LordCruentus 04-23-07, 02:31 PM	not even with one side?
Tectorman 04-23-07, 02:34 PM	Actually, yes. If you're a human holding a dire flail sized for a halfling, then if you hold it in one hand, you may use one end of it to attack (but not the other). You would still take a penalty for it not being an appropriately sized weapon for you (sadly, we have Monkey Grip, but no way to lessen smaller-size weapon penalties). Otherwise, that whole "a creature wielding a [insert double weapon's name here] in one hand may only use one end of it to attack" deal is just a waste of ink.
Frugal 04-23-07, 03:31 PM	Actually, yes. If you're a human holding a dire flail sized for a halfling, then if you hold it in one hand, you may use one end of it to attack (but not the other). You would still take a penalty for it not being an appropriately sized weapon for you (sadly, we have Monkey Grip, but no way to lessen smaller-size weapon penalties). Otherwise, that whole "a creature wielding a [insert double weapon's name here] in one hand may only use one end of it to attack" deal is just a waste of ink. Actually, monkey grip doesn't remove the penalty, it just removes the change in "effort".
runestar 04-23-07, 10:56 PM	Actually, you can...:) The character can also choose to use a double weapon two handed, attacking with only one end of it. A creature wielding a double weapon in one hand can’t use it as a double weapon—only one end of the weapon can be used in any given round. This means you can wield a double weapon in 1 hand and just use one side of it like a double weapon.
Pezix 04-24-07, 12:42 AM	Yeah actually you can have your double weapon in one hand but you will only be able to use one end of it. So if your looking to use it as a double weapon in one hand it won't work, but its still considered a double weapon..... hope that makes since...
runestar 04-24-07, 12:48 AM	The funny thing is that going by a literal reading of the two weapon defense feat, you still get the AC bonus even if you are wielding a double weapon in only 1 hand...:P
Pezix 04-24-07, 01:07 AM	The funny thing is that going by a literal reading of the two weapon defense feat, you still get the AC bonus even if you are wielding a double weapon in only 1 hand...:P Thats a nice notice but I guess that would come down to how you interpet the text because the It says "A creature wielding a double weapon in one hand can't use it as a double weapon", But then again in the two weapon defense it just states that "when weilding a double weapon you gain the bonus" So....:confused: But its still a cool thing to notice;)
Egres 04-24-07, 03:12 AM	This means you can wield a double weapon in 1 hand and just use one side of it like a double weapon. Only if you larger than the ideal wielder of the weapon.
Pezix 04-24-07, 04:07 AM	Only if you larger than the ideal wielder of the weapon. No you don't have to be larger to use a double weapon in one hand. You just can only use one side of it.
Captain_Kobold 04-24-07, 07:52 AM	No you don't have to be larger to use a double weapon in one hand. You just can only use one side of it. How do you come to that conclusion? Apart from the Ghost spike, all double weapons I can think of are Two-handed weapons. This means that you must be at least one size larger than the user it is sized for in order to use it in one hand. So, you would be using the smaller weapon, and while wielding it in one hand, could not use both ends.
runestar 04-24-07, 07:57 AM	How do you come to that conclusion? Apart from the Ghost spike, all double weapons I can think of are Two-handed weapons. This means that you must be at least one size larger than the user it is sized for in order to use it in one hand. So, you would be using the smaller weapon, and while wielding it in one hand, could not use both ends. Check the quote I provided above. The PHB entry does state that you are allowed to wield double weapons with 1 hand and attack with just 1 end. This means that with a double axe, I can TWF with it, wield it with both hands as a 2-handed weapon, or wield it with 1 hand as a 1-handed weapon.:)
Captain_Kobold 04-24-07, 08:33 AM	Check the quote I provided above. The PHB entry does state that you are allowed to wield double weapons with 1 hand and attack with just 1 end. This means that with a double axe, I can TWF with it, wield it with both hands as a 2-handed weapon, or wield it with 1 hand as a 1-handed weapon.:) What, this quote? The character can also choose to use a double weapon two handed, attacking with only one end of it. A creature wielding a double weapon in one hand can’t use it as a double weapon—only one end of the weapon can be used in any given round. Perhaps you should have included all of the PHB entry that you provided. The entirety of it reads: The character can also choose to use a double weapon two handed, attacking with only one end of it. A creature wielding a double weapon in one hand (such as a human wielding a small two-bladed sword) can’t use it as a double weapon—only one end of the weapon can be used in any given round. I have bolded the part that you missed. While examples and flavor text like this aren't included in the SRD, they are in the PHB.
Tectorman 04-24-07, 03:28 PM	Yeah, I asked this very same question in a thread I started and the majority answer (with the SRD behind them) was that a two-handed weapon of a certain size category is always a two-handed weapon of that size category and the only way to change it would be to shrink the weapon or to grow the person.
Prime32 04-24-07, 05:43 PM	Just take the Somatic Weaponry feat. It lets you use somatic components while wielding a weapon.
Necromas 04-24-07, 06:01 PM	Removing a hand from your weapon to cast a spell, and putting the hand back on the weapon are both free actions. Thus a Duskblade using a double weapon in combat is never hindered in the spellcasting department. Same with using a two handed weapon. As long as you keep your other hand on the weapon you don't have to drop it or re-draw it.