Which would take priority power attack or elven thornblade ability?


Rules Questions

Scarab Sages

I'm thinking the feat would override the weapon and the weapon is just talking about the normal benefits that come from two handed wielding but I figured I'd ask.

The Elven thornblade in its description states "An elven thornblade grants no additional benefit when wielded two-handed." so as I understand you pick one of these up, hold the handle with both hands and attack you don't get the normal two handed strength bonus.

Power attack in its description states "This bonus to damage is increased by half (+50%) if you are making an attack with a two-handed weapon, a one handed weapon using two hands, or a primary natural weapon that adds 1-1/2 times your Strength modifier on damage rolls." which again is straightforward using power attack if you use a one handed weapon with 2 hands you get 50% more damage e.g. -1 to attack +3 to damage, -2 to attack +6 to damage.

What I'm wondering is which would take priority the thornblades no benefit from wielding it two handed or power attacks you get +50% damage for wielding a one handed weapon two handed?


The weapon description is more specific and would take priority.

Liberty's Edge

Light weapons and many finesse weapons, like the thornblade, do not get extra Str damage when wielded two handed. I'd take that to apply to both normal use and power attack.

In short, despite being a one-handed weapon, a thornblade is treated as a light weapon for Str bonus purposes.

Scarab Sages

I see, good thing I asked then as I thought the feat one would override the generic weapon description. Ok I'll need to consider if power attack is actually worth it as you'll lose a lot of its benefit without that +50% bonus. You'd lose anywhere up to 5 points of damage, more if I take mythic power attack. Thanks for the information.

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