Weilding a two-handed weapon in one hand [Archive] - Wizards Community

Weilding a two-handed weapon in one hand [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
fenderbassman2009
03-27-08, 09:27 PM Is there a feat that can let you weild a two handed melee weapon with one hand? or is there some kind of feat that would allow me to retain the armor bonus from a buckler if i attack with a two handed weapon? if so in either case could you let me know what book its in and maybe the general outline or prereq's of the feat? thanks.
Kouk
03-27-08, 10:03 PM Yes and yes (for the most part).

In Complete Warrior is the feat Monkey Grip. This allows you to use a larger-than-normal-for-you size weapon with the same "number of hands" that it would take a creature of the appropriate size to wield.

Normally, as you may know, you can use a large-sized 1-handed or light weapon with two hands with a -2 penalty (assuming you are medium and using a large-sized weapon). You normally cannot use a large-sized two-handed weapon because that would require more "hands" than you have.

With Monkey Grip you can use for instance a large-sized greatsword with the same "number of hands" as a large-sized creature, namely 2.

The important part is with weapons of equivalent stats at different sizes. For instance, a Large -sized Longsword has the same exact stats as a Greatsword -- so if you get yourself a Large-sized Longsword with Monkey Grip, then you can use the Large-sized Longsword (normally a 1-handed weapon for large creatures) still in one hand. Effectively this is a Greatsword wielded in one hand, though at a -2 penalty to attack rolls.

To retain your shield bonus with a Buckler you would use the feat Improved Buckler Defense. Depending on the way you read it, it may only work for TWF but I think the intent was for it to work with any manner of using a weapon with the same hand the buckler is on. This is also in Complete Warrior.
fenderbassman2009
03-27-08, 10:29 PM ok i follow you on the buckler deal, but as far as the weapon goes, i want to use a jovan from the planar handbook. it is a two handed weapon from medium creatures (which this character is). i want to keep the weapon the same size, but be able to use it with just one hand. is this possible through feats or a certain strength score or anything?
Steevo
03-27-08, 10:50 PM ok i follow you on the buckler deal, but as far as the weapon goes, i want to use a jovan from the planar handbook. it is a two handed weapon from medium creatures (which this character is). i want to keep the weapon the same size, but be able to use it with just one hand. is this possible through feats or a certain strength score or anything?

Well it doesn't matter how high your Strength score is, that won't give you the ability to weild a two-handed weapon in one hand. It's generally accepted that anyone, regardless of Strength can HOLD a two-handed weapon in one hand (in order to drink a potion or something with the other) but holding is not the same as weilding. It comes down toa question of leverage and balance. If a weapon isdesigned to be used in two hands, you need two hands to effectively control the weapon. It's not a question of having enough muscle to lift it off the ground, it's a question of finesse.

There might be a feat out there somewhere that lets you do this, but I don't know it myself. I sort of hope it doesn't exist because I've seen some of the broken things people think they can do when they misunderstand how Monkey Grip works.
fenderbassman2009
03-27-08, 11:08 PM it does seem broken that one feat could let you either wield one extremely big one handed weapon or one normal sized two handed weapon in one hand. but i think, through a seperate feat solving my dilemma, if ur able to do one you should be able to do the other its not much different. in a sense, a two handed weapon really is a larger, one handed weapon that just needs two hands.
Kouk
03-28-08, 12:19 AM Monkey Grip can't help in the case of a normally 2-handed weapon made larger.

However, there are Strongarm Bracers in the Magic Item Compendium, which (if the DM allows the item), allows you to use weapons as if you were one size category larger than you are. That would allow you to use a Large-sized Jovar, still with 2 hands though.
mplindustries
03-28-08, 03:58 AM Monkey Grip can't help in the case of a normally 2-handed weapon made larger.

However, there are Strongarm Bracers in the Magic Item Compendium, which (if the DM allows the item), allows you to use weapons as if you were one size category larger than you are. That would allow you to use a Large-sized Jovar, still with 2 hands though.
I don't believe it is ever explicitly said to be true in reverse, but if you follow the logic that a medium creature can wield a large creature's weapon by increasing the "hand requirement," then a large creature should also be able to wield a medium creature's weapon while decreasing the requirement. If Strongarm Bracers actually do treat you as a size larger (I don't have the book, I'm trusting your wording), then as a(n effectively) large creature, you could use a medium Jovar as a one-handed weapon. (Of course the -2 mis-sized penalty would still apply)

To retain your shield bonus with a Buckler you would use the feat Improved Buckler Defense. Depending on the way you read it, it may only work for TWF but I think the intent was for it to work with any manner of using a weapon with the same hand the buckler is on. This is also in Complete Warrior. Just as a side note, it is not just intent, but also actual wording. If you read the buckler section in the SRD or PHB, it uses absolutely identical wording to Improved Buckler Defense. In other words, either Improved Buckler Defense words with a two-handed weapon, or two-handed weapons were never actually subject to the AC loss in the first place. I actually quoted the stuff in another thread, but I'm feeling really lazy right now, so if you don't trust me you can look it up yourself or search for that thread.
Knightblde
03-28-08, 06:32 PM There is no question that a medium creature can use a medium two handed weapon with one hand while wearing Strongarm Bracers.

My group and I feel that you don't have to pay the -2 penalty to use a medium two handed weapon in one hand if you are a medium creature wearing Strongarm Bracers. It specifically states that you still know how to use weapons that are your size. So now you count as large, but unlike most large creatures, you are proficient with medium weapons.

This has been debated many times and both sides have valid arguments.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
fenderbassman2009 03-27-08, 09:27 PM	Is there a feat that can let you weild a two handed melee weapon with one hand? or is there some kind of feat that would allow me to retain the armor bonus from a buckler if i attack with a two handed weapon? if so in either case could you let me know what book its in and maybe the general outline or prereq's of the feat? thanks.
Kouk 03-27-08, 10:03 PM	Yes and yes (for the most part). In Complete Warrior is the feat Monkey Grip. This allows you to use a larger-than-normal-for-you size weapon with the same "number of hands" that it would take a creature of the appropriate size to wield. Normally, as you may know, you can use a large-sized 1-handed or light weapon with two hands with a -2 penalty (assuming you are medium and using a large-sized weapon). You normally cannot use a large-sized two-handed weapon because that would require more "hands" than you have. With Monkey Grip you can use for instance a large-sized greatsword with the same "number of hands" as a large-sized creature, namely 2. The important part is with weapons of equivalent stats at different sizes. For instance, a Large -sized Longsword has the same exact stats as a Greatsword -- so if you get yourself a Large-sized Longsword with Monkey Grip, then you can use the Large-sized Longsword (normally a 1-handed weapon for large creatures) still in one hand. Effectively this is a Greatsword wielded in one hand, though at a -2 penalty to attack rolls. To retain your shield bonus with a Buckler you would use the feat Improved Buckler Defense. Depending on the way you read it, it may only work for TWF but I think the intent was for it to work with any manner of using a weapon with the same hand the buckler is on. This is also in Complete Warrior.
fenderbassman2009 03-27-08, 10:29 PM	ok i follow you on the buckler deal, but as far as the weapon goes, i want to use a jovan from the planar handbook. it is a two handed weapon from medium creatures (which this character is). i want to keep the weapon the same size, but be able to use it with just one hand. is this possible through feats or a certain strength score or anything?
Steevo 03-27-08, 10:50 PM	ok i follow you on the buckler deal, but as far as the weapon goes, i want to use a jovan from the planar handbook. it is a two handed weapon from medium creatures (which this character is). i want to keep the weapon the same size, but be able to use it with just one hand. is this possible through feats or a certain strength score or anything? Well it doesn't matter how high your Strength score is, that won't give you the ability to weild a two-handed weapon in one hand. It's generally accepted that anyone, regardless of Strength can HOLD a two-handed weapon in one hand (in order to drink a potion or something with the other) but holding is not the same as weilding. It comes down toa question of leverage and balance. If a weapon isdesigned to be used in two hands, you need two hands to effectively control the weapon. It's not a question of having enough muscle to lift it off the ground, it's a question of finesse. There might be a feat out there somewhere that lets you do this, but I don't know it myself. I sort of hope it doesn't exist because I've seen some of the broken things people think they can do when they misunderstand how Monkey Grip works.
fenderbassman2009 03-27-08, 11:08 PM	it does seem broken that one feat could let you either wield one extremely big one handed weapon or one normal sized two handed weapon in one hand. but i think, through a seperate feat solving my dilemma, if ur able to do one you should be able to do the other its not much different. in a sense, a two handed weapon really is a larger, one handed weapon that just needs two hands.
Kouk 03-28-08, 12:19 AM	Monkey Grip can't help in the case of a normally 2-handed weapon made larger. However, there are Strongarm Bracers in the Magic Item Compendium, which (if the DM allows the item), allows you to use weapons as if you were one size category larger than you are. That would allow you to use a Large-sized Jovar, still with 2 hands though.
mplindustries 03-28-08, 03:58 AM	Monkey Grip can't help in the case of a normally 2-handed weapon made larger. However, there are Strongarm Bracers in the Magic Item Compendium, which (if the DM allows the item), allows you to use weapons as if you were one size category larger than you are. That would allow you to use a Large-sized Jovar, still with 2 hands though. I don't believe it is ever explicitly said to be true in reverse, but if you follow the logic that a medium creature can wield a large creature's weapon by increasing the "hand requirement," then a large creature should also be able to wield a medium creature's weapon while decreasing the requirement. If Strongarm Bracers actually do treat you as a size larger (I don't have the book, I'm trusting your wording), then as a(n effectively) large creature, you could use a medium Jovar as a one-handed weapon. (Of course the -2 mis-sized penalty would still apply) To retain your shield bonus with a Buckler you would use the feat Improved Buckler Defense. Depending on the way you read it, it may only work for TWF but I think the intent was for it to work with any manner of using a weapon with the same hand the buckler is on. This is also in Complete Warrior. Just as a side note, it is not just intent, but also actual wording. If you read the buckler section in the SRD or PHB, it uses absolutely identical wording to Improved Buckler Defense. In other words, either Improved Buckler Defense words with a two-handed weapon, or two-handed weapons were never actually subject to the AC loss in the first place. I actually quoted the stuff in another thread, but I'm feeling really lazy right now, so if you don't trust me you can look it up yourself or search for that thread.
Knightblde 03-28-08, 06:32 PM	There is no question that a medium creature can use a medium two handed weapon with one hand while wearing Strongarm Bracers. My group and I feel that you don't have to pay the -2 penalty to use a medium two handed weapon in one hand if you are a medium creature wearing Strongarm Bracers. It specifically states that you still know how to use weapons that are your size. So now you count as large, but unlike most large creatures, you are proficient with medium weapons. This has been debated many times and both sides have valid arguments.