Crusader...Reach? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Crusader...Reach?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
who8mybrownie
Jul 13, 2009 11:43:03 I have been reading alot of the guides on here about crusaders and it says to really take advantage of Thickness of Blades you need a reach weapon. The only thing is that I do not really want to lower my AC too much. I was planning on using a tower shield but that's just impossible if I need a reach weapon. I saw there is a feat that called "Shield and Pike" that allows you to use a light shield with a piercing pole arm but I couldn't find a great piercing weapon.

Also if you get a reach weapon is it a good idea to have armor spikes and if so what is a good enchant to put on them?

Any help would be much appreciated.
#2
gryfter
Jul 13, 2009 12:09:52 My favorite is the Lucerne Hammer. It's from DR331 p24, but it's listed on crystal keep.

http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/rules/DnD3.5Index-Equipment.pdf

10' reach, 2d4 damage, x4 crit, and it's piercing or bludgeoning.

There may be better ones depending on what you plan to do. i.e. if you want to trip or disarm and that sort of thing.
#3
Caylin
Jul 13, 2009 16:33:45 Spiked chain and a floating shield.
#4
dragonson
Jul 13, 2009 22:41:35 Usable from level 1, there is the ever-popular longspear (not great, but it's a classic), the ranseur (decent damage, plus free disarm attempts with a bonus) and the lance (best if you're doing mounted combat, but it can work anyway). If you go with one of these, get yourself some spiked armor, so you threaten all around you and 10 feet away. And all are PHB.

Spiked Chain is (technically) usable with that idea, but these others don't make you spend a feat. Greatspear is also a pretty good choice if you want to take an Exotic Weapon. Personally, I wouldn't bother.

(As an aside, I'm currently playing a Crusader/Cleric, going for Ruby Knight Vindicator, who fights Ranseur and Spiked Armor. He's working pretty well so far, even with a slight Crusader nerf in the campaign. I'm considering having him take Martial Study for Disarming Strike, so he can stab somebody and yank their weapon away. )

EDIT: An Animated Shield would be a very good choice at higher levels, but these work well for now.
#5
jaerad
Jul 14, 2009 1:40:52 Dwarven War Pike, RoS. I like convincing DMs it's a racial weapon.
#6
wih
Jul 14, 2009 4:10:57 Go with a Ranseur if you're tripping and a Glaive if you're using Standstill - Glaive deals d10 damage so it's damage increases more effectively with size increases, thus increasing the DC on your Standstill.
Remember, if someone can't hit you they can't do damage. If you're still worried about AC, go with either a Dancing Shield or Improved Buckler Defense.
#7
acereraklives
Jul 14, 2009 6:34:36 And yes, it's a good idea to get armor spikes. For the spikes, it'd probably be good to get eager on them (Magic item compendium), but I would focus mostly on the polearm.
#8
siranui
Jul 14, 2009 7:23:12 Glaive is good for damage if that's all you're after... and you can combine it with improved unarmed combat for a reach/no reach combo that's very Japanese warrior monk and pretty cool.

Lucern hammer is one that I'm a big fan of as well. Mainly because they're cool and have a x4 crit mod!
#9
bomaz
Jul 14, 2009 8:44:14 there are some feats that you can use to get some extra reach. 2 feats for +5 ft, one set is in heroes of horror

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 who8mybrownie Jul 13, 2009 11:43:03	I have been reading alot of the guides on here about crusaders and it says to really take advantage of Thickness of Blades you need a reach weapon. The only thing is that I do not really want to lower my AC too much. I was planning on using a tower shield but that's just impossible if I need a reach weapon. I saw there is a feat that called "Shield and Pike" that allows you to use a light shield with a piercing pole arm but I couldn't find a great piercing weapon. Also if you get a reach weapon is it a good idea to have armor spikes and if so what is a good enchant to put on them? Any help would be much appreciated.
#2 gryfter Jul 13, 2009 12:09:52	My favorite is the Lucerne Hammer. It's from DR331 p24, but it's listed on crystal keep. http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/rules/DnD3.5Index-Equipment.pdf 10' reach, 2d4 damage, x4 crit, and it's piercing or bludgeoning. There may be better ones depending on what you plan to do. i.e. if you want to trip or disarm and that sort of thing.
#3 Caylin Jul 13, 2009 16:33:45	Spiked chain and a floating shield.
#4 dragonson Jul 13, 2009 22:41:35	Usable from level 1, there is the ever-popular longspear (not great, but it's a classic), the ranseur (decent damage, plus free disarm attempts with a bonus) and the lance (best if you're doing mounted combat, but it can work anyway). If you go with one of these, get yourself some spiked armor, so you threaten all around you and 10 feet away. And all are PHB. Spiked Chain is (technically) usable with that idea, but these others don't make you spend a feat. Greatspear is also a pretty good choice if you want to take an Exotic Weapon. Personally, I wouldn't bother. (As an aside, I'm currently playing a Crusader/Cleric, going for Ruby Knight Vindicator, who fights Ranseur and Spiked Armor. He's working pretty well so far, even with a slight Crusader nerf in the campaign. I'm considering having him take Martial Study for Disarming Strike, so he can stab somebody and yank their weapon away. ) EDIT: An Animated Shield would be a very good choice at higher levels, but these work well for now.
#5 jaerad Jul 14, 2009 1:40:52	Dwarven War Pike, RoS. I like convincing DMs it's a racial weapon.
#6 wih Jul 14, 2009 4:10:57	Go with a Ranseur if you're tripping and a Glaive if you're using Standstill - Glaive deals d10 damage so it's damage increases more effectively with size increases, thus increasing the DC on your Standstill. Remember, if someone can't hit you they can't do damage. If you're still worried about AC, go with either a Dancing Shield or Improved Buckler Defense.
#7 acereraklives Jul 14, 2009 6:34:36	And yes, it's a good idea to get armor spikes. For the spikes, it'd probably be good to get eager on them (Magic item compendium), but I would focus mostly on the polearm.
#8 siranui Jul 14, 2009 7:23:12	Glaive is good for damage if that's all you're after... and you can combine it with improved unarmed combat for a reach/no reach combo that's very Japanese warrior monk and pretty cool. Lucern hammer is one that I'm a big fan of as well. Mainly because they're cool and have a x4 crit mod!
#9 bomaz Jul 14, 2009 8:44:14	there are some feats that you can use to get some extra reach. 2 feats for +5 ft, one set is in heroes of horror