Post/Author/DateTime	Post
wplee_ii 01-29-04, 12:39 PM	My character recently stumbled across an ogre wielding a large greatsword. After killing the smelly beast (who attacked first, actually) he picked up the sword. Being the fighter type, his reaction was, 'hey, this is even better than MY greatword +1! Sweet!" However, next time I was in battle and went to use it, I discovered that I took a -6 to my attacks! I reminded my DM that the book denotes a -2 penalty for using large weapons, and his reply was that a large greatsword is too bulky and heavy for a medium character to wield at the standard -2 penalty. So, until I get gauntlets of strength I incur an addition -4 penalty for being a weakling with only 16 strength. My question is, is this type of situation covered anywhere in the core books? I already pointed out where it says take a -2 penalty to hit, but is there anywhere else? Thanks.
xirr2000 01-29-04, 01:56 PM	It would appear your DM is adding some additional penalties "ad hoc" for his own reasons. He obviously feels that the penalties in the book are not sufficient for the situation. Can't say I agree but I'm not your DM. To answer your qustion, there is nothing in the books that say you should be getting a -6 penalty to hit. *Edit* Unless the sword is cursed of course or has some other negative aspect to it.
RLWilde 01-29-04, 02:11 PM	Even if the attack penalty was only -2 (as per the books), a Large greatsword isn't particularly that much better than a Medium greatsword, if you have Power Attack. Medium Greatsword, 2 pts of Power Attack: -2 attack, avg dam 11 Large Greatsword: -2 attack, avg dam 10.5
mercurial67 01-29-04, 02:39 PM	Your DM was doing you a favor. A greatsword is a two-handed weapon. A medium sized creature may not wield a large two-handed weapon without the monkey grip feat. For each size difference between creature and weapon, there is a -2 penalty AND the weapon slides up or down the scale of light - one-handed - two-handed. If the weapon falls off the scale, the weapon may not be used (it is either too big or too small to effectively use). With the monkey grip feat, you can use a large two-handed weapon as a two-handed weapon though you still suffer the -2 penalty for size difference.
HoshiAdam 01-29-04, 02:42 PM	Also, when increasing weapon size, you increase the effort needed to use the weapon (light->one-handed->two-handed), and if it increases beyond two-handed difficulty to use, you can't wield the weapon. So you can't use a Large Greatsword without the Monkey Grip feat from Complete Warrior. *edit: Blast, was a little slow*
tarkin 01-30-04, 09:17 AM	Even Monkey Grip will not let you use it. Monkey Grip lets you wield a weapon that you normally need two hands with one hand. It does not allow you to wield a weapon that is too large for you to wield.
HoshiAdam 01-30-04, 10:31 AM	Actually, 3.5 monkey grip allows you to wield a weapon of one size larger without increasing the difficulty. So, for example, a Human could wield a large dagger (one correctly sized for an ogre) as a light weapon.
Steven Snyder 01-30-04, 12:59 PM	Originally posted by HoshiAdam Actually, 3.5 monkey grip allows you to wield a weapon of one size larger without increasing the difficulty. So, for example, a Human could wield a large dagger (one correctly sized for an ogre) as a light weapon. I don't recall seeing this in the RCR...where is this new feat?
Shadow Blade 01-30-04, 01:11 PM	Originally posted by Steven Snyder I don't recall seeing this in the RCR...where is this new feat? In Complete Warrior :)
wplee_ii 01-31-04, 06:18 AM	Thanks guys...you've been really helpful.:D