A creature wielding a double weapon in one hand can't use it as a double weapon—only one end of the weapon can be used in any given round.
Does this mean i can wield one end of double weapon in one hand? Or is this clause made in case of weapons 1 catergory smaller than character?
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I read it as the character can only use one end of said weapon as a 1-handed weapon if using only one hand to wield that weapon.
Now, I haven't checked in a while, but I believe all of the double weapons are listed under the two-handed weapons section of the equipment tables.
So double weapons are unique in that they are 2-handed weapons that can also be used as a 1-handed weapon and a light-weapon - and apparently as merely a 1-handed weapon if being used in one hand.
I think it's worded that way because of feats like Power Attack that state you get extra damage if using a 2-handed weapon, or a one-handed weapon in 2 hands... So if you are using a double weapon in one hand and attacking with only one end of it you don't get the extra power attack damage despite it being a 2-handed weapon.
Edit: After re-reading what I wrote I've come to the conclusion that I may not be articulating what I'm trying to say very well.
I read it as the character can only use one end of said weapon as a 1-handed weapon if using only one hand to wield that weapon.
Now, I haven't checked in a while, but I believe all of the double weapons are listed under the two-handed weapons section of the equipment tables.
So double weapons are unique in that they are 2-handed weapons that can also be used as a 1-handed weapon and a light-weapon - and apparently as merely a 1-handed weapon if being used in one hand.
I think it's worded that way because of feats like Power Attack that state you get extra damage if using a 2-handed weapon, or a one-handed weapon in 2 hands... So if you are using a double weapon in one hand and attacking with only one end of it you don't get the extra power attack damage despite it being a 2-handed weapon.
Edit: After re-reading what I wrote I've come to the conclusion that I may not be articulating what I'm trying to say very well.
I understand what you mean.
But i wonder if there is anywhere its says plainly "you can wield double weapon in one hand"
Excelent.
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What it's saying is that if, for any special reason, you are able to wield a double weapon in one hand, you cannot use its double property for TWF. You must commit 2 hands, even if you could otherwise wield it in just one. Almost all double weapons are 2h, save for the Taiaha, a primative weapon which is 1h. You can wield a taiaha in one hand, but must commit 2 hands to use it double. Same goes for an undersized double weapon. You could wield a double sword one size smaller as 1h, but must use both hands to use it as a double.
I don't think it's limited to special reasons... As a fairly mundane example I would say that the rules allow an Orc, who is say climbing a ships rigging or hanging from a rope (with one hand), to make an attack with his Orc-Double axe using just his free hand. However, he can only attack with one end of the weapon in that instance.
There is a weapon with the double quality, that is also a one-handed weapon: the Taiaha (Ultimate Combat).
However, the consensus of opinion is that you cannot utilise the double quality of the weapon unless you use it in two hands.
But that does mean you can use a Large Taiaha at a -2 and start off doing 2d8/1d8 with your double weapon...
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No big cause it says "if you wield a double weapon in one hand". It doesn't say "you may wield a double weapon in one hand". You need some other rules element to allow you to wield it in just one hand. You can't swing just one head of an Orc double axe for the same reason you can't swing a Greataxe with one hand.
That's not exactly what it says.
Double Weapons: Dire flails, dwarven urgroshes, gnome hooked hammers, orc double axes, quarterstaves, and two-bladed swords are double weapons. A character can fight with both ends of a double weapon as if fighting with two weapons, but he incurs all the normal attack penalties associated with two-weapon combat, just as though the character were wielding a one-handed weapon and a light weapon.
The character can also choose to use a double weapon two-handed, attacking with only one end of it. A creature wielding a double weapon in one hand can't use it as a double weapon—only one end of the weapon can be used in any given round.
No "ifs" or "mays". Simply "a creature wielding a double weapon in one hand"... To me that makes it read as a viable option straight out of the box. The only caveat is "only one end of the weapon can be used in any given round".
Where are you getting the double weapon in one hand quote from?
"You can choose to wield one end of
a double weapon two-handed, 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."
The PRD has the same wording.
Ah it's in the PRD:UE note that in the PDF version of the UE it says
Double: 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. You can choose to wield one end of
a double weapon two-handed, 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.
So I think the bit you are quoting is an error from 3.5 that has crept in to the web version.
c.f. D20SRD
Ah! point taken I'm reading the bit under "Special" as in "Special: Some weapons have special features in addition to those noted in their descriptions."
The description in there doesn't include any mention of one-handed use but is as I stated above. I still think it's a leftover from 3.5 errata. But hey ho!