There is some confusion in my group around double weapons and how they work. Here is my bullet point list of facts.
6th level Dwarf Fighter.
Feats: Two-Weapon Fighting, Double Slice, Power Attack, Cleave, Weapon Focus (Urgosh), Weapon Specialization (Urgosh), misc. that doesn't effect this
Weapon group for being a fighter is Double weapons
Wielding a +1 dwarven urgosh.
Fighter has 19 Strength score. +4 modifer
Double weapons state: "You can use a double weapon to fight as if fighting with two weapons, but if you do, you incur all the normal attack penalties associated with fighting with two weapons, just as if you were using a one-handed weapon and a light weapon. A double weapon can be wielded as a one-handed weapon, but it cannot be used as a double weapon when wielded in this way—only one end of the weapon can be used in any given round."
If the fighter wields the Urgosh as a two-handed weapon and moves and attacks with their total is: BAB 6 + STR 4 + 1 (enhancement) + 1 focus +1 weapon group = 13 total bonus to hit.
The attack would deal d8 + 5 Str + 1 enhancement + 2 weapon specialization +1 weapon group, total to d8+9
This much is clear to me. The problem is when the fighter uses the Urgosh as two weapons. Correct me where I am wrong.
If the fighter doesn't move, and wants to attack using Two-weapon fighting they would suffer a -2 to their attack rolls, dropping it to a 11 bonus. The damage only get their STR Mod (remember double slice) so the grand total is two attacks:
+11 to hit dealing d8+8, and +11 to hit dealing d6+8.
The Double Weapon rule though makes it sound like you only use one end of the weapon, so the "off-hand" should still be a d8?
Getting their bonus attack from a high BAB and another off-hand attack from Improved Two Weapon Fighting, it looks like this for a full attack:
+11/+6 to hit dealing d8+8, and a +11/+6 to hit dealing a d6+8
If the fighter decides to Power Attack and Full attacks they would be
+9/+4 to hit dealing d8+12 and a +9/+4 to hit dealing d6+12.
Is this right? Seems like a lot of damage. The party rogue feels like he is slacking off in the damage department with the fighter.
Looks right to me. And yeah, it's a fair amount of damage, depending upon perspective.
But your party rogue feels like he's falling behind in damage? really?
If the rogue uses TWF, (double short swords seems traditional), and sets up a nice flank, those extra d6s from sneak attack should hold up pretty well. Sure he needs some help, but then, this has never really been a 'solo' kind of game.
The attack would deal d8 + 5 Str + 1 enhancement + 2 weapon specialization +1 weapon group, total to d8+9
That should be +6 Strength (1.5 X 4)
+11 to hit dealing d8+8, and +11 to hit dealing d6+8.
The Double Weapon rule though makes it sound like you only use one end of the weapon, so the "off-hand" should still be a d8?
The "one end of the weapon" bit is referring to times when you are only using the weapon one-handed.
And yes, two-weapon fighting is probably the most damaging weapon style (I'm sure there will be number-crunchers along at some point to debate that point). It pays for it by being more expensive (two weapons instead of one) and requiring a full-round action.