Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 HamburglarTime Aug 15, 2015 8:45:05	I plan on using a longsword(versatile) and shield. Should I use Great Weapon Fighting of Dueling? (Not using the shield to bash so it doesn't violate the Dueling rules)
#2 jaappleton Aug 15, 2015 9:00:36	Honestly? With 2H weapons, in my opinion, you're either in or out. This way allow for a little versatility, but it's not worth it. You can use a sword and a shield at the same time and still get the Dueling benefits. The caveat is you won't hold a weapon in your other hand; a shield is not a weapon.    If you're going for a 2H weapon, go all the way and pick up a greatsword, maul, or greataxe. I'm a maul guy, personally. Offensively, as you might expect, Great Weapons have better feat support while defensively using a shield has better feat support (though using a shield to knock an enemy prone, thus granting you and allies advantage on melee attacks VS the prone target is a very good thing).
#3 Mazzy Aug 15, 2015 9:08:46	You can't use a longsword two handed to get the versatile bonus if you are using a shield.
#4 bid Aug 15, 2015 11:54:30	Dueling does better damage but less crit. Rerolling 1-2 adds from 1/2(1d4) to 5/6(1d12) to the average result. - 1d8 with Dueling averages to 4.5 + 2 = 6.5 damage and 11 crit - 1d10 with GWF averages to 5.5 + 4/5 = 6.3 damage and 12.6 crit They both offer the same expectation since you hit around 12+, pick whichever RP flavor you prefer.   Of course, if you decide to drop the shield and use GWF, you might as well go all out. - 1d12 with GWF averages to 6.5+5/6 = 7.3 damage and 14.7 crit - 2d6 with GWF averages to 2*(3.5+2/3) = 8.3 damage and 16.7 crit
#5 shintashi Aug 15, 2015 18:32:57	look at the feats instead and decide that way. There's a two weapon feat and a two handed feat. If ACs are lower in your game for monsters, two handed is better. if ACs are really good, then two weapons is better because you retain bonuses to hit and have extra attacks to try again. Two handed style misses a lot, has penalties, and relies on previous hit/kills in order to secure the next attack. But if your campaign has lots of AC 15 or less monsters, and you have lots of bonuses to hit, such as from a high strength, then two handed weapons is a better choice.