Reach weapon - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Reach weapon

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
mungy83
May 20, 2009 17:41:46 I'm playing a goliath character, and have chosen to go with a large halberd for my powerful build class feature. Now I can't find anything on it, but would using a large halberd be a reach weapon? Are there any rules about how, long weapons that are a size category larger can be become, reach weapons?
Thanks for the info.
#2
Mad_Jack
May 20, 2009 19:27:33 A halberd is already a reach weapon. As far as I know, a Large halberd doesn't gain any further reach beyond a Medium one.
#3
mungy83
May 20, 2009 19:50:21 Well according to 3.5e PHB it says it's not a reach weapon at medium. So I was thinking if it's size increased to large, wouldnt that essentially make it longer, which in turn might make it a reach weapon? I can't find any rules about it. Also would a reach weapon that increased size gain more reach? Sorry for the weird wording haven't played in awhile and wanna make a good weapon choice.
#4
malek2991
May 21, 2009 8:04:56 Unfortunately your correct, its not a reach weapon at medium sized, and unfortunately weapons that are not reach weapons do not become reach weapons upon increasing size... A large creature would have natural reach allowing him to strike further with a large weapon, but a medium creature w/ powerful build doesn't.
#5
Zherog
May 21, 2009 9:52:17 Malek is correct. Here's a quote from the FAQ to back him up:

My stonechild (from RS) fighter wields a fullblade (AE). If he increases the weapon’s size by one category, can he still wield it, and would it give him reach?

First of all, your stonechild couldn’t wield such a weapon. While a stonechild (as a Medium creature) can wield a normal fullblade as a two-handed weapon thanks to the Exotic Weapon Proficiency (fullblade) feat, he couldn’t wield a fullblade of a larger size category at all, even with the feat.

(Although the fullblade is described in AE as a “Huge” weapon, this is a reference to the 3.0 rules for weapon size. Using the 3.5 rules for weapon sizes, the fullblade used by Medium creatures is actually a Large two-handed weapon with a special rule that allows a Medium creature to wield it with two hands.)

Normally, the smallest creature that could wield a Huge fullblade (that is, a fullblade sized for two-handed use by a Huge creature) would be a Large creature. A Medium creature with the powerful build racial trait, such as a goliath or halfgiant, with the Exotic Weapon Proficiency (fullblade) feat could also wield a Huge fullblade.

As to the second issue, regardless of the wielder’s or the weapon’s size, a fullblade is not a reach weapon. Even a Medium creature with powerful build who wields a Huge fullblade can use it only against creatures at a distance of his natural reach (typically 5 feet), but no more than that.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mungy83 May 20, 2009 17:41:46	I'm playing a goliath character, and have chosen to go with a large halberd for my powerful build class feature. Now I can't find anything on it, but would using a large halberd be a reach weapon? Are there any rules about how, long weapons that are a size category larger can be become, reach weapons? Thanks for the info.
#2 Mad_Jack May 20, 2009 19:27:33	A halberd is already a reach weapon. As far as I know, a Large halberd doesn't gain any further reach beyond a Medium one.
#3 mungy83 May 20, 2009 19:50:21	Well according to 3.5e PHB it says it's not a reach weapon at medium. So I was thinking if it's size increased to large, wouldnt that essentially make it longer, which in turn might make it a reach weapon? I can't find any rules about it. Also would a reach weapon that increased size gain more reach? Sorry for the weird wording haven't played in awhile and wanna make a good weapon choice.
#4 malek2991 May 21, 2009 8:04:56	Unfortunately your correct, its not a reach weapon at medium sized, and unfortunately weapons that are not reach weapons do not become reach weapons upon increasing size... A large creature would have natural reach allowing him to strike further with a large weapon, but a medium creature w/ powerful build doesn't.
#5 Zherog May 21, 2009 9:52:17	Malek is correct. Here's a quote from the FAQ to back him up: My stonechild (from RS) fighter wields a fullblade (AE). If he increases the weapon’s size by one category, can he still wield it, and would it give him reach? First of all, your stonechild couldn’t wield such a weapon. While a stonechild (as a Medium creature) can wield a normal fullblade as a two-handed weapon thanks to the Exotic Weapon Proficiency (fullblade) feat, he couldn’t wield a fullblade of a larger size category at all, even with the feat. (Although the fullblade is described in AE as a “Huge” weapon, this is a reference to the 3.0 rules for weapon size. Using the 3.5 rules for weapon sizes, the fullblade used by Medium creatures is actually a Large two-handed weapon with a special rule that allows a Medium creature to wield it with two hands.) Normally, the smallest creature that could wield a Huge fullblade (that is, a fullblade sized for two-handed use by a Huge creature) would be a Large creature. A Medium creature with the powerful build racial trait, such as a goliath or halfgiant, with the Exotic Weapon Proficiency (fullblade) feat could also wield a Huge fullblade. As to the second issue, regardless of the wielder’s or the weapon’s size, a fullblade is not a reach weapon. Even a Medium creature with powerful build who wields a Huge fullblade can use it only against creatures at a distance of his natural reach (typically 5 feet), but no more than that.