Half-Swording Revisited [Archive] - Wizards Community

Half-Swording Revisited [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Johannixx
03-07-07, 10:36 AM I was reading through Complete Warrior yesterday, looking for a feat for my greatsword fighter, when I came upon Spinning Halberd. I think with a slight tweak (namely the weapon used), it could be used as a template for half-swording:

Half Swording [Style]
You have mastered the style of fighting with a greatsword or bastard sword, and use all parts of the weapon -- blade, quillions, point or pommel -- to strike devastating blows.
Prerequisites: Combat Reflexes, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus [Greatsword or Bastard Sword].
Benefit: When you make a full attack with a greatsword or bastard sword wielded two-handed, you gain a +1 dodge bonus to your Armor Class as well as an additional attack with the weapon at a -5 penalty. This attack deals points of bludgeoning or piercing damage equal to 1d6 + 1/2 your Strength modifier.
xver
03-07-07, 06:42 PM While I like your feat in general, i think the last sentence is worded a little oddly.

This attack deals points of bludgeoning or piercing damage equal to 1d6 + 1/2 your Strength modifier.

I think it ought to say "This attack deals 1d6 + 1/2 your Strength modifier bludgeoning or piercing damage." At least as far as I can tell based on the way these things are usually written. How is the original feat worded?

One thing you should consider, can you only use the feat with the weapon you have Weapon Focus for, or can you use it with any two-handed straight bladed sword? On a related note, you should include the option for having Weapon Focus (full blade) as prereq. as full blades are quite well suited to half swording.

On a realated note, you ought to be able to make more half handing attacks if you have the higher levels of TWF. I'm not sure how to word it, but basically you'd turn a sword into a double weapon. On the other hand, you're not taking any TWF penalties, so perhaps that'd be over the top.

A long while back I read a critique of Spinning Halberd that basically said the feat's prerequisits where too high for what should be a basic feature of the pole arm in question. (I'll see if I can dig up the thread. It may not have survived.) In particular, I personally think Combat Reflexes is an odd choice of requirement.

One last thing, I don't see how the +1 to AC is justified.
Johannixx
03-07-07, 11:21 PM I also thought Combat Reflexes an odd choice of prerequisite, but that's what's in Spinning Halberd, so I ported it over. I think Combat Expertise is a much more appropriate feat.

Also, the wording of the extra damage is verbatim from Complete Warrior. What I intend is that the extra attack can be either piercing (i.e. with the point of the sword) or bludgeoning (i.e. with the pommel, a sort of proto-murder-stroke).

As for the +1 to AC, that's also from the original Spinning Halberd feat, and IMHO is appropriate, as this use of the weapon lends itself to blocking incoming blows.

I wouldn't allow more attacks with higher levels of TWF, simply because you don't take TWF penalties, and you still get Str * 1.5 damage on your primary attacks (or Str * 2 with one level of Exotic Weapon Master and using a bastard sword). Plus, historically, half-swording was something done in transition, not as a constant stance. You might parry, half-sword, stab, counter-parry, pommel-punch, then use a regular grip for a finishing move. I can see getting one extra attack, but if you start adding more, you'd be reducing the number of 'normal' attacks you'd be capable of throwing in a set time period.

I haven't decided whether to allow it for all straight-bladed two-handed swords or not. I would lean towards it, since the techniques are very similar, and spending enough time on one blade to get Weapon Focus means you've studied a lot of techniques that are useable with all similar weapons.

In conclusion, thanks for the thoughtful critique. It's nice to see something besides random flaming for once ;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Johannixx 03-07-07, 10:36 AM	I was reading through Complete Warrior yesterday, looking for a feat for my greatsword fighter, when I came upon Spinning Halberd. I think with a slight tweak (namely the weapon used), it could be used as a template for half-swording: Half Swording [Style] You have mastered the style of fighting with a greatsword or bastard sword, and use all parts of the weapon -- blade, quillions, point or pommel -- to strike devastating blows. Prerequisites: Combat Reflexes, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus [Greatsword or Bastard Sword]. Benefit: When you make a full attack with a greatsword or bastard sword wielded two-handed, you gain a +1 dodge bonus to your Armor Class as well as an additional attack with the weapon at a -5 penalty. This attack deals points of bludgeoning or piercing damage equal to 1d6 + 1/2 your Strength modifier.
xver 03-07-07, 06:42 PM	While I like your feat in general, i think the last sentence is worded a little oddly. This attack deals points of bludgeoning or piercing damage equal to 1d6 + 1/2 your Strength modifier. I think it ought to say "This attack deals 1d6 + 1/2 your Strength modifier bludgeoning or piercing damage." At least as far as I can tell based on the way these things are usually written. How is the original feat worded? One thing you should consider, can you only use the feat with the weapon you have Weapon Focus for, or can you use it with any two-handed straight bladed sword? On a related note, you should include the option for having Weapon Focus (full blade) as prereq. as full blades are quite well suited to half swording. On a realated note, you ought to be able to make more half handing attacks if you have the higher levels of TWF. I'm not sure how to word it, but basically you'd turn a sword into a double weapon. On the other hand, you're not taking any TWF penalties, so perhaps that'd be over the top. A long while back I read a critique of Spinning Halberd that basically said the feat's prerequisits where too high for what should be a basic feature of the pole arm in question. (I'll see if I can dig up the thread. It may not have survived.) In particular, I personally think Combat Reflexes is an odd choice of requirement. One last thing, I don't see how the +1 to AC is justified.
Johannixx 03-07-07, 11:21 PM	I also thought Combat Reflexes an odd choice of prerequisite, but that's what's in Spinning Halberd, so I ported it over. I think Combat Expertise is a much more appropriate feat. Also, the wording of the extra damage is verbatim from Complete Warrior. What I intend is that the extra attack can be either piercing (i.e. with the point of the sword) or bludgeoning (i.e. with the pommel, a sort of proto-murder-stroke). As for the +1 to AC, that's also from the original Spinning Halberd feat, and IMHO is appropriate, as this use of the weapon lends itself to blocking incoming blows. I wouldn't allow more attacks with higher levels of TWF, simply because you don't take TWF penalties, and you still get Str * 1.5 damage on your primary attacks (or Str * 2 with one level of Exotic Weapon Master and using a bastard sword). Plus, historically, half-swording was something done in transition, not as a constant stance. You might parry, half-sword, stab, counter-parry, pommel-punch, then use a regular grip for a finishing move. I can see getting one extra attack, but if you start adding more, you'd be reducing the number of 'normal' attacks you'd be capable of throwing in a set time period. I haven't decided whether to allow it for all straight-bladed two-handed swords or not. I would lean towards it, since the techniques are very similar, and spending enough time on one blade to get Weapon Focus means you've studied a lot of techniques that are useable with all similar weapons. In conclusion, thanks for the thoughtful critique. It's nice to see something besides random flaming for once ;)