Oversized Weapon

[toscrawford]

Reading over the weapon rules I noticed something I hadn't before.

When using a weapon that is oversized you increase the effort to use. A one-handed oversized weapon would become a two-handed weapon.

When a 18-Strength Human Phalanx Soldier wields a one-handed pole arm that would normally be a two handed weapon with Power Attack, the extra damage is based as if the weapon were one-handed. You don't get the two-handed strength bonus.

Putting these concepts together, when a Human Phalanx Soldier picks up a Large Lucern Hammer, he is required to wield it with two-hands and is required to wear a buckler (since to reduce handedness the Soldier is required to be equipped with a shield). The to-hit modifier would be -2 for an oversized weapon and -1 for wielding a two-handed weapon with a buckler, for a total of -3.

The damage would move from 1d12 to 3d6. The strength bonus would move from +4 to +6 as the weapon is now wielded with two-hands.

Assuming 3rd level, Power Attack would change this to -4 3d6+9.

Am I doing the math right?

Now, what the heck is the threatened area for this example?

[Dasrak]

The Phalanx Fighter's ability only functions when he wields a shield, and only with a polearm of his own size. It cannot be used as a loophole to wield a large-sized lucerne hammer.

[LazarX]

Moral of the story>

When you suddenly "notice" an advantage that hordes of other players haven't done so. Look twice, chances are there's always a rub you haven't considered.

[Kazaan]

PRD wrote:

Phalanx Fighting (Ex): At 3rd level, when a phalanx soldier wields a shield, he can use any polearm or spear of his size as a one-handed weapon. This ability replaces armor training 1.

[Nefreet]

But, if you're a Humanoid, you can always drink a potion of Enlarge Person.

Damage of a medium-sized polearm wielded by an 18 STR Soldier in one hand with Power Attack would go from 1d12+4+2 to 3d6+5+2.

For anyone else, wielding it two-handed, damage would go from 1d12+6+3 to 3d6+7+3.

And that's doable at level 1!