I was rather annoyed to find out that per book, the Titan Mauler class was never meant to wield large weapons, merely normal sized weapons that have grips meant for larger hands.
While I understand that there are physical limits to what a given person/character is able to wield effectively, it strikes me as cop-out to completely ignore the possibility of wielding weapons that are /truly/ oversized for a character.
1) A modification to the general rules on weapons
In order for a character to effectively wield a weapon, at all, the weapon cannot be heavier than the character's light load capacity for a two-handed weapon, or 1/2 light load capacity for a one-handed weapon.
(In order for a weapon to effective, the character has to be strong enough to swing it around, or aim it, again, and again. If the weapon is too heavy, it simply can't be used.)
If a character /really/ wants to try and use a heavier weapon, I would suggest that a weapon in the medium, or half medium, range be able to used once in a single attack as a full attack action, regardless of the number of iterative attacks the character has. (I'm envisioning a child trying to hold off a bandit with his father's sword while his father is away)
In the event of a weapon in the heavy, or half heavy, range- the attack should be limited to a full round action that provokes an attack of opportunity.
2) A modification to the existing rules on oversized (over-gripped) weapons.
There should be no additional penalties (outside of the standard book penalties) to wielding a weapon that is one size category larger than the character. (If a Halfling wants to wield a human's great sword, that's fine. He takes his penalties like anyone else.)
(Note, this is not much different than having an 'Impact' weapon, or having access to the spell 'Lead Blades')
3) An additional rule to address weapons that are two or more sizes larger.
If a character tries to wield a weapon that is two (or more) size categories too large, than he or she will be forced to adopt the combat square of the next largest sized creature, along with all of the associated benefits and drawbacks in addition to the normal penalties per book.
If a dwarf (medium) tries to wield a giant's (huge) great-axe (assuming he has the strength for it), he would become a large creature in terms of combat spacing, reach, AC, CMB, and CMD.
At first blush, this seems minimal, but when you think of a standard dungeon environment or you think about party spacing, you realize how difficult this truly is.
The Dwarf now needs to take up a 10x10 square in order to fight. Any and all allies that occupy his square(s) now interfere with his ability to fight effectively. (Without having the swarm fighting feat, he would flat footed until he moves away, or convinces the ally to move.) He gains reach, but loses the ability to swing at targets adjacent to him. He gains attack damage, but takes an AC penalty because of his effective size increase. Further, if the enemy has a spell-caster or alchemist, he is now /extremely/ vulnerable to touch attacks, as they now only have hit one of his squares, instead of his own touch AC.
In my mind, I think it to be an elegant solution to the issue, and one that allows the thematic over-size weapon wielder without making it overly advantageous.
- Please, let me know what you think on this.
It's good to know that wielding a weapon one-step larger has finally been allowed, per Paizo, but that still douses a lot of the 'first-read' awesomeness of the titan mauler class.
I still believe that the houserule has merit for those that want to go for a more 'anime' style of weapon wielding, and push for weapons more than one size category bigger. - It makes it possible while making it prohibitive enough to prevent a character from going too far over the deep end.
It'd definitely add more flavor to the titan mauler prestige, and maybe the odd barbarian here and there who is willing to soak up punishment from ranged-touch attacks in order to deliver a devastating blow with an oversized weapon.
- Just my opinion, anyway, and thanks for the update.