| Amethystine |
So, a friend and I have been pretty consistently demoralizing the enemy with early, harsh kills and the like, and Power Attack is already in play. I'm a dark knight, wielding a Switchscythe, so I've already got my sights set on Two-handed Menace, but my friend is a samurai, wielding a katana two-handed. So, since I haven't found an answer to this on any existing rulings or forums thus far, I'm intrigued to know, would Two-handed Menace apply to a weapon that isn't exclusively two-handed, like a bastard sword, katana, Warhammer, etc?
| Melkiador |
Bastard Sword: Is this a one-handed weapon or a two-handed weapon?
A bastard sword is a one-handed weapon (although for some rules it blurs the line between a one-handed and a two-handed weapon).The physical properties of a bastard sword are that of a one-handed weapon. For example, its hardness, hit points, ability to be crafted out of special materials, category for using the Craft skill, effect of alchemical silver, and so on, are all that of a one-handed weapon.
For class abilities, feats, and other rule elements that vary based on or specifically depend on wielding a one-handed weapon, a two-handed weapon, or a one-handed weapon with two hands, the bastard sword counts as however many hands you are using to wield it.
For example, if you are wielding it one-handed (which normally requires the Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat), it is treated as a one-handed weapon; Power Attack only gets the one-handed bonus, you cannot use Pushing Assault or Shield of Swings (which require a two-handed weapon), and so on.
If you are wielding it with two hands (whether or not you have the Exotic Weapon Proficiency to wield it with one hand), it is treated as a two-handed weapon; Power Attack gets the increased damage bonus, you can use Pushing Assault or Shield of Swings (which require a two-handed weapon), and so on.
An unusual case of the handedness rule is an ability that allows you to treat a two-handed weapon as a one-handed weapon. For example, the titan mauler's jotungrip (which allows you to wield a two-handed weapon with one hand) allows you to wield a bastard sword in one hand even without the Exotic Weapon Proficiency, and (as the ability states) treats it as a one-handed weapon, therefore it is treated as a one-handed weapon for other effects.
posted October 2013
CBDunkerson
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As per the FAQ Melkiador quoted, the dividing line is whether the ability relies on the physical nature of the weapon or the way that the weapon is used.
Two-handed Menace is specifically based on the intimidating physical size of the weapon. Thus, a one-handed weapon (including a katana, bastard sword, or warhammer) would not qualify for use with this ability... even if wielded in two hands. Conversely, a two-handed weapon wielded in one hand, such as with the Titan Mauler Jotungrip ability, is still a two-handed weapon and would thus still qualify for Two-handed Menace.
When we consider non-medium sized weapons and creatures the issue gets more complicated. Is a diminutive greatsword more intimidating than a gargantuan short sword?
Personally, I'd rule that the effective size of the weapon relative to the target determines whether it can be used with Two-handed Menace. So, a Storm Giant threatened by a human with a greatsword is not going to be intimidated because the human's medium size greatsword wouldn't be a two-handed weapon for the Storm Giant. Conversely, this ability COULD be used by a rapier wielding human threatening a halfling... because the medium size rapier would be a two-handed weapon for the halfling.
| Quixote |
Personally, I'd rule that the effective size of the weapon relative to the target determines whether it can be used with Two-handed Menace.
Yeah, this "trick" doesn't make a ton of sense. I mean, is a glaive deadlier than a shortsword? It really depends on the situation and the wielder. The "intimidating size of the weapon" is a pretty subjective thing. But then again, Intimidate is rife with such issues all over the place.
| Amethystine |
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Ah, okies. I kinda like the flavor of it... it isn't necessarily because the weapon is big, but the added force behind the blow because of the additional weight put into the swing. Kind of an intimidation through the sudden weight behind the blow.
I find myself imagining a similar situation to Zaraki Kenpachi of Bleach fame, explaining to his enemy how much stronger a sword is when its gripped in two hands.