Theconiel |
I am playing a Hunter (level 10). Normally I prefer to stand back and shoot, but if forced into melee, I will cast Bowstaff. I have STR 18 (with Aspect of the Bull active). My longbow is +2, and the GM has ruled that the enhancement will apply to both ends of the quarterstaff. I have the feat Two-Weapon fighting.
If I understand correctly, my attacks would look like this.
Option 1 - Not Using TWF, 1 end of the staff
Attack 1: +13, 1d6+8 (+7 BAB, +4 STR, +2 weapon, 1.5 STR to dam.)
Attack 2: +8, 1d6+8 (+2 BAB 2, +4 STR, +2 weapon, 1.5 STR to dam.)
Option 2 - Using TWF, both ends of the staff
Attack 1: +11, 1d6+6 (+7 BAB, +4 STR, +2 weapon, -2 TWF)
Attack 2: +11, 1d6+4 (+7 BAB, +4 STR, +2 weapon, -2 TWF, 0.5 STR to dam.)
Attack 3: +6, 1d6+6 (+2 BAB 2, +4 STR, +2 weapon, -2 TWF)
I can also use TWF with the spell Flameblade, as long as I have cast the spell twice. My options would be similar, except that Flame Blade damage depends on cater level, not STR. I would get 1 attack at +11 (+7 BAB, +4 STR) and 1 at +6. Or I could take 2 attacks at +9 and 1 at +4.
Vatras |
Looks OK to me. It is like a 2H weapon in option 1 and like a medium + light weapon in option 2.
Penalty for medium plus light weapon and TWF feat is -2/-2, damage bonus in main hand is normal and 1/2 in offhand. The TWF aficionados in our group prefer to get the feat double slice too, to increase the static damage by a bit.
Theconiel |
Well, better Double Slice than Power Attack - the latter would actually lower his/her average DPR.
No lie there - I try to stay away from melee as much as possible, except in Wild Shape. I probably will take Deadly Aim at level 11, though. I think I'm high enough level that I can afford the -2/+4 trade.
Vatras |
Our melees have started to use power attack once they were sure that they could hit the opposition fairly reliably, and after I was able to buff the penalty away (at least mitigate it enough) in tandem with the wizard.
If you have a buffer in your group, he should be able to help you a bit. Haste, bless, prayer, blessing of fervor, heroism or ray of hope (or maybe even a stat buff) all give +1 to +2, some of which stack...but even one of them is going to help you out.
Derklord |
You need a pretty high accuracy for Power Attack to be worth it for TWF. The problem is the 1:1 ratio for the offhand - more often than not, you end up reducing your offhand's average damage, and the damage increase for the mainhand is not big enough to compensate (at least not enough to make the feat worth picking up).
Krodjin |
You need a pretty high accuracy for Power Attack to be worth it for TWF. The problem is the 1:1 ratio for the offhand - more often than not, you end up reducing your offhand's average damage, and the damage increase for the mainhand is not big enough to compensate (at least not enough to make the feat worth picking up).
True. You're better adding to your "to hit" or finding ways to add small static bonuses to damage w/each hand. For example the River Rat trait gives a flat +1 to damage with Daggers... That +1 makes the dagger a better choice DPR wise than the Kukri for quite awhile. Eventually the kukri's expanded threat range will catch and exceed the dagger + River Rat, but it takes awhile.