Hey guys was looking at the iconics and saw that the barbarian is using a Large bastard sword (that she can only use while raging?) What is the penalty for using a large weapon? Why would the rage negate it?
The penalty for using a weapon sized larger than you is -4 penalty to your attack rolls per size category difference. So if you're medium sized wielding a huge sized weapon, you'd take a -8 penalty to your attack roll.
EDIT: Depending on the level of the Iconic Barbarian, the penalty might be mitigated. At level 1, the Barbarian receives a plus 4 bonus to Strength, adding a +2 strength modifier to attack rolls. So at level one, a barbarian wielding a large sword would only suffer a -2 penalty to attack rolls whilst raging.
Well, the general idea of 'rage negating it' is that she got enough bonuses from rage that she can hit like a normal person. She gets +4 strength, which means +2 to attack. The rule for inappropriately sized weapons is that it is a -2 to attack for each size category that it is off by (either too big or small).
Although there is a barbarian archetype built around the idea of using oversized weapons (or onehanding appropriately sized weapons that normally use two hands). See the Titan Mauler. They could weild a large bastard sword without penalties at level 6.
Note: The titan mauler does not change the handedness change in inappropriate weapons. You can read the full rules on inappropriately sized weapons :here
Inappropriately Sized Weapons: A creature can't make optimum use of a weapon that isn't properly sized for it. A cumulative –2 penalty applies on attack rolls for each size category of difference between the size of its intended wielder and the size of its actual wielder. If the creature isn't proficient with the weapon, a –4 nonproficiency penalty also applies.
While she rages she gets a +4 to Strength which gives a +2 to hit, canceling the -2.
The penalty for using a weapon sized larger than you is -4 penalty to your attack rolls per size category difference. So if you're medium sized wielding a huge sized weapon, you'd take a -8 penalty to your attack roll.
EDIT: Depending on the level of the Iconic Barbarian, the penalty might be mitigated. At level 1, the Barbarian receives a plus 4 bonus to Strength, adding a +2 strength modifier to attack rolls. So at level one, a barbarian wielding a large sword would only suffer a -2 penalty to attack rolls whilst raging.
It is only a -2 penalty to wield a weapon one size larger (or smaller) than your own size.
At level 1, Rage gives +4 to Strength and Constitution. Every point of modifier to Strength grants that much to Hit and Damage. A modifier increases by 1 for every 2 points into that modifier (rounded down).
Take an exotic Wp Proficiency too in Dorn Dergar (or play a dwarf since its a dwarven weapon). It has reach and can attack adjacent creatures. Its d10 improved to 2d8 if its a large weapon.
-2 hit 2d8 + reach + can hit adjacent creatures. Best damaging weapon.
...sorry. There was a big FAQ thing about stuff like that. Essentially, besides the penalties, the inappropriately sized weapons rules also increases or decreases the handedness of a weapon up or down depending on whether it is too big or small for you.
Essentially, a large longsword would be two handed, while a small greatsword would be onehanded. So with a large twohanded weapon like a Dorn Dergar...well...three handed is not really a thing (and even if you have three hands you can't weild it anyway)
Titan mauler only removes the penalties for inappropriately sized weapons, it doesn't change any of that. So for the most part, that ability only helps in very specific cases like the iconic barbarian's large bastardsword (which is onehanded, but it is purposefully has a damage dice that is closer to twohanded weapons). it might also make a large katana more like a greatsword with better crit range. Oh, and the ostensible reason for the ability: using the weapons that you normally couldn't because they were looted from a large enemy.
Given that she has a Strength of 18, she's pretty much swinging without penalties as-is. Raging just bumps it back to a bonus.
Take an exotic Wp Proficiency too in Dorn Dergar (or play a dwarf since its a dwarven weapon). It has reach and can attack adjacent creatures. Its d10 improved to 2d8 if its a large weapon.
-2 hit 2d8 + reach + can hit adjacent creatures. Best damaging weapon.
...sorry. There was a big FAQ thing about stuff like that. Essentially, besides the penalties, the inappropriately sized weapons rules also increases or decreases the handedness of a weapon up or down depending on whether it is too big or small for you.
Essentially, a large longsword would be two handed, while a small greatsword would be onehanded. So with a large twohanded weapon like a Dorn Dergar...well...three handed is not really a thing (and even if you have three hands you can't weild it anyway)
Titan mauler only removes the penalties for inappropriately sized weapons, it doesn't change any of that. So for the most part, that ability only helps in very specific cases like the iconic barbarian's large bastardsword (which is onehanded, but it is purposefully has a damage dice that is closer to twohanded weapons). it might also make a large katana more like a greatsword with better crit range. Oh, and the ostensible reason for the ability: using the weapons that you normally couldn't because they were looted from a large enemy.
You can take some feats to wield a Dorn-Dergar as a one-handed weapon, meaning you could use a large one in two hands.
Best oversized weapon ... Bear Shaman Druid with Strength Domain and a Large size club + shillelagh + enlarge person = sweet damage!
Base 1d6 medium club damage goes to 1d8 for an oversized large club, goes to 2d6 for enlarged and oversized, goes to 4d6 (?) with shillelagh.
Ah ... good ones!