
TheWhiteRaven |
So the fighter in my Skull and Shackles game is a 2-handed build swinging an earthbreaker and now he's asking if he can spike his armor and take the Two-Weapon Fighting feats. Does that work? The spikes are light weapons, so that plus the feat would bring him to the -2/-2,or is it not possible strictly because he's using a 2 handed weapon?

Bill Dunn |

Yes, the faq - a fairly controversial one since it's based on unwritten rules that are undiscoverable in the written rules and unknown even by a few Paizo writers.
That said, consult your GM and discuss the issue. Two-weapon fighting's own structure should reasonably handle it and keep the option from being too powerful if you decide to ignore the faq.

TheWhiteRaven |
Heh, well I AM the dm in question, was mainly wondering if there was an official ruling, and if not then what other people had ruled. Atm he's out damaging everything as it is, so in all likelihood even if I allow it, it won't come up. He basically charges, ohko's then charges the next thing lol. Ty for your input though, and if anyone else has experience with this please continue to post, always like to hear more about an issue before making a ruling.

Kaouse |

Bill Dunn wrote:"a fairly controversial one"..."based on unwritten rules"..."undiscoverable in the written rules"..."unknown even by a few Paizo writers"Not biased at all, are ya? ;)
Is anything in what he wrote false?
It's okay to be biased as long as you're correct. Often times attempting to not be biased can get you to ignore the facts, like CNN and its relentless attempts to appear non-partisan no matter how crazy one side of the table gets.

Qaianna |

Yes, the faq - a fairly controversial one since it's based on unwritten rules that are undiscoverable in the written rules and unknown even by a few Paizo writers.
That said, consult your GM and discuss the issue. Two-weapon fighting's own structure should reasonably handle it and keep the option from being too powerful if you decide to ignore the faq.
Aside from being strictly better than normal two-weapon fighting as most folks envision, even if you're twirling a two-bladed sword to get it. (And then, can Spinny Chopsword there use her armour spikes to get a third attack in?)

Dragonchess Player |

The two-handed weapon + armor spikes got nixed. Anyway, IIRC the ruling was more to prevent things like using TWF with a two-handed weapon and "off hand" unarmed strikes (kicks), considering all of the ways to boost unarmed strike damage, than just armor spikes.
However, a Toothy half-orc or a Maw or Claw (Maw) tiefling (or even a raging barbarian with the Animal Fury rage power) can still get in a bite as a secondary natural attack... without penalizing the attacks with the two-handed weapon (granted, the bite is at -5). If you are willing to dip two levels in ranger (Natural Weapon combat style to pick up Aspect of the Beast (Claws of the Beast)) and spend a feat on Multiattack (if the GM lets you take it), then you can get the bite at -2 while the two-handed weapon is still without a penalty.
Armor spikes do not allow an extra attack if already TWFing with a weapon in each hand (or a double weapon), but you can get a third attack when TWFing with a bite: weapon/weapon/bite at penalties of (assuming TWF feat and light off hand or double weapon) -2/-2/-5. There's a reason half-orcs are a popular choice for rangers (Toothy, plus orc double axe as a martial weapon), even without going the Aspect of the Beast/Multiattack route.

Scott Wilhelm |
One thing that would work is using Weapon and Shield, using the shield strictly for defense and using Armor Spikes as your off-hand weapon.
There is no rule limiting which readied weapon you could use during a Great Cleave. If your character were fighting some creatures with DR/bludgeoning and some with DR/Piercing, there is no reason why the character can't be hitting some of them with the Earthbreaker and some with the Spikes. An even more powerful way to use this might be is with Armor Spikes and a Reach Pole Arm, so you could hit opponents adjacent to you and 10' away using the same Cleave action, as long as they are adjacent to each other and threatened by you.
Attacks of Opportunity happen out-of-turn. If your character had Snake Fang, you could still make your Unarmed Attacks of Opportunity even on rounds when you used your Earthbreaker.
Perhaps the best option for an Earthbreaker-user would be the Thunder and Fang Feat. That would let you use the Earthbreaker 1-handed and your Klar in your other hand. Then you could take Shield Slam and get a Free Bull Rush with every Shield Bash with the Klar. Then take Greater Bull Rush and give your allies Attacks of Opportunity when you Bull Rush them. Then take Paired Opportunist, and you get an Attack of Opportunity, too. If you set things up right, then your AoO can be a Shield Bash, triggering more Attacks of Opportunity, and a good time will be had by all. A Klar with the Bashing Enchantment does as much damage as an Earthbreaker.

![]() |

Scott, as a GM, I would allow everything you just proffered. To point out, nothing you said there gave an extra attack or another "hand" of effort.
A proper use of the Thunder and Fang Feat... never thought I would see the day...

lemeres |

What he can do is grab a one handed weapon (such as a warhammer) and then just take a hand off of it while doing TWF.
I generally like this kind of style for rangers (who can str TWF, so they love 2 handing). I go more for a cestus than armor spikes, but same general idea.
Not quite as good as using a double weapon (since weapon focus is not friendly with this) but it has other advantages (such as better crit range on your weapons than most free double weapons)

Scott Wilhelm |
Scott, as a GM, I would allow everything you just proffered. To point out, nothing you said there gave an extra attack or another "hand" of effort.
A proper use of the Thunder and Fang Feat... never thought I would see the day...
And you are not exactly what I'd call a permissive GM. I know enough of you to know you ain't just whistlin' Dixie. Thanks, man.