Two Weapon Defense Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Two Weapon Defense Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
drfate_order
06-17-07, 01:24 PM Recently there has been a disagreement among my gaming buddies about 2 weapon defense. Are question is do you get the +1 shield bonus to your AC if you use your offhand weapon. The description doesn't say that if you use your offhand weapon you dont get the shield bonus, but a few of my players are getting technicall on the word ield. It says in the feat you get the shield bonus if you wield a weapon in your off hand. They believe weilding just means to hold and not to attack with.

so if anyone can clarify this for me I would be a big help
Aryxbez
06-17-07, 01:31 PM Two-Weapon Defense [General]
Prerequisites

Dex 15, Two-Weapon Fighting.
Benefit

When wielding a double weapon or two weapons (not including natural weapons or unarmed strikes), you gain a +1 shield bonus to your AC. See the Two-Weapon Fighting special attack.

When you are fighting defensively or using the total defense action, this shield bonus increases to +2.
Special

A fighter may select Two-Weapon Defense as one of his fighter bonus feats.

according to this, it seems me, you just have to wield the weapon and nothing much more. So I guess you don't have to attack with it, but I don't see why you wouldn't
utilitarian
06-17-07, 01:57 PM Aye, to "wield" a weapon, in AD&D terminology, is to have a weapon drawn and ready to attack. You need not actually be fighting with it.

Otherwise: How would you get your shield bonus if you elect to use Total Defense? then you're not attacking at all.
Knightblde
06-17-07, 03:17 PM Yes, you can attack with it and use it for defense in the same round. If that were not the case, it would state so.

Happy Gaming!
risner
06-17-07, 09:04 PM You have to have a weapon in both hands.

If you do, then you get the Shield bonus.

If you attack with the weapons in both hands, you still keep the Shield bonus.
shift244
06-18-07, 12:26 PM Rules wise, the definition of "wield" should mean "to actively make use, and incur all bonuses and penalties as applicable". If a character holdings a long sword in each hand, but if chooses to attack only with one, the primary attack progression, then s/he is not two-weapon-fighting for that round and does not incur the related penalties. The penalties only come in when s/he chooses to attack using the two-weapon-fighting attack progression.

Weather you choose to actually attack with it or not should not matter. I can always choose to take two-weapon-fighting penalties, even when fighting with a longsword and a fist. I would get the option, open to me, to attack with my fist should I choose to. But, of course, it would be quite foolish to take on the penalties, if there are no potential bonuses from which I might gain from. Foolish, but entirely possible.

Against the argument that the Two Weapon Defense bonus does not apply when attacking with the off-hand weapon, I'd say it's more probable to read it that it only applies when you do.
Nom
06-18-07, 08:30 PM The trouble with "wield = attack" is that it adds a whole lot of other weird exceptions.

I have a double sword equipped. I double move. Do I lose my TWD shield bonus?

I have a two weapons equipped. I double move. Do I lose my TWD shield bonus?

I have a two weapons equipped. I make a standard action attack with the off-hand weapon only. Do I lose my TWD shield bonus?

I use total defense, and thus attack with neither weapon. So I can't apply the special +2 shield bonus?

Unless you read the feat as saying "gets a +1 shield bonus to AC when he attacks with a double weapon or using TWF", which it clearly doesn't say, then saying "wield = attacks" causes all sorts of problems.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
drfate_order 06-17-07, 01:24 PM	Recently there has been a disagreement among my gaming buddies about 2 weapon defense. Are question is do you get the +1 shield bonus to your AC if you use your offhand weapon. The description doesn't say that if you use your offhand weapon you dont get the shield bonus, but a few of my players are getting technicall on the word ield. It says in the feat you get the shield bonus if you wield a weapon in your off hand. They believe weilding just means to hold and not to attack with. so if anyone can clarify this for me I would be a big help
Aryxbez 06-17-07, 01:31 PM	Two-Weapon Defense [General] Prerequisites Dex 15, Two-Weapon Fighting. Benefit When wielding a double weapon or two weapons (not including natural weapons or unarmed strikes), you gain a +1 shield bonus to your AC. See the Two-Weapon Fighting special attack. When you are fighting defensively or using the total defense action, this shield bonus increases to +2. Special A fighter may select Two-Weapon Defense as one of his fighter bonus feats. according to this, it seems me, you just have to wield the weapon and nothing much more. So I guess you don't have to attack with it, but I don't see why you wouldn't
utilitarian 06-17-07, 01:57 PM	Aye, to "wield" a weapon, in AD&D terminology, is to have a weapon drawn and ready to attack. You need not actually be fighting with it. Otherwise: How would you get your shield bonus if you elect to use Total Defense? then you're not attacking at all.
Knightblde 06-17-07, 03:17 PM	Yes, you can attack with it and use it for defense in the same round. If that were not the case, it would state so. Happy Gaming!
risner 06-17-07, 09:04 PM	You have to have a weapon in both hands. If you do, then you get the Shield bonus. If you attack with the weapons in both hands, you still keep the Shield bonus.
shift244 06-18-07, 12:26 PM	Rules wise, the definition of "wield" should mean "to actively make use, and incur all bonuses and penalties as applicable". If a character holdings a long sword in each hand, but if chooses to attack only with one, the primary attack progression, then s/he is not two-weapon-fighting for that round and does not incur the related penalties. The penalties only come in when s/he chooses to attack using the two-weapon-fighting attack progression. Weather you choose to actually attack with it or not should not matter. I can always choose to take two-weapon-fighting penalties, even when fighting with a longsword and a fist. I would get the option, open to me, to attack with my fist should I choose to. But, of course, it would be quite foolish to take on the penalties, if there are no potential bonuses from which I might gain from. Foolish, but entirely possible. Against the argument that the Two Weapon Defense bonus does not apply when attacking with the off-hand weapon, I'd say it's more probable to read it that it only applies when you do.
Nom 06-18-07, 08:30 PM	The trouble with "wield = attack" is that it adds a whole lot of other weird exceptions. I have a double sword equipped. I double move. Do I lose my TWD shield bonus? I have a two weapons equipped. I double move. Do I lose my TWD shield bonus? I have a two weapons equipped. I make a standard action attack with the off-hand weapon only. Do I lose my TWD shield bonus? I use total defense, and thus attack with neither weapon. So I can't apply the special +2 shield bonus? Unless you read the feat as saying "gets a +1 shield bonus to AC when he attacks with a double weapon or using TWF", which it clearly doesn't say, then saying "wield = attacks" causes all sorts of problems.