Katana, Bastard Swords, and so on

[Lucas13]

Ok.
I have just a little question about Feat and Prerequisite for some kind of weapons.
I am talking about all the weapon with a description like that: "Characters can use a WEAPON two-handed as a martial weapon; but must take the Exotic Weapon Proficiency (WEAPON) feat to use it one-handed"

Now, it is not a problem about use or not use the weapon.
My question is: if I want the feat (for example), Improved Critical, do I need the EWP feat or not?

Let's make a big example:
Fighter, using a Bastard Swords with 2 hand. This class is proficient with all martial weapons, so the character has no problem to use Bastard Swords with 2 hands.
At 9th level the Fighter wants the Improved Critical feat.
Improved Critical ask these prerequisites: Proficient with weapon, base attack bonus +8.
Now, the character is at 9th lever, so he has +9 as BAB. However, he has never took the feat EWP (Bastard Sword), because he always used the weapons with 2 hands.

The question is: can the Fighter take the feat or not? Or he needs to take the EWP first?

Thank you all, and sorry for my bad English

[Torbyne]

The fighter can take the feat, any feat it wants to actually, and they all apply anytime the fighter is wielding its two handed martial weapon of choice :)

[Majuba]

Actual bastard sword text: "A character can use a bastard sword two-handed as a martial weapon."

Improved Critical: "Proficient with weapon"

Edgy, but yes, seems clear enough.

That adds some interesting facets should he switch to one-handed, losing both -4 to hit and improved critical. Weapon focus has a similar requirement FYI.

[Torbyne]

Actually there was a dev comment or FAQ, can't remember which, that said without the EWP one handing those swords isn't even an option -4 or not. But it's still a perfectly valid two handed martial weapon.

[Claxon]

I think the question is, why would you choose to use the bastard always two handed and never pickup the EWP feat for it instead of choosing another weapon.

It deals 1d10 damage and has a crit range of 19-20x2. A nodachi is a two-handed martial weapon with 1d10 damage and a crit range of 18-20x2 and a a greatsword is a two-handed martial weapon with 2d6 and a crit range of 19-20x2. If you're always going to two hand it, you should use a different weapon. If you're concerned with the fluff of having a "bastard sword", suddenly you imagine your weapon looks like a bastard sword and it is. But mechanically its something else.

[Lucas13]

lol
Because my players know nothing about oriental weapon, for now XD!

Anyway, I needed just a check about the rules ;)

[Charon's Little Helper]

If they don't know oriental weapons - shouldn't they still use a greatsword? (1.5 extra damaage for no negative)