Which Type of Sword?

[Raumoheru]

which do you think is better, a greatsword or a bastard sword with a towershield?

is the little bit of damage output worth losing to have to spend an extra feat and be able to use a towershield?

[Fiberfar]

It depends if you want to use a bastard sword or not. AC is allways good. I would not use either of the weapons, because the bastard sword requires a feat and the greatsword is two-handed. But if I have to choose I would take the bastard sword.

I would use a longsword or another martial one-handed weapon instead of either a greatsword or a bastard sword.

[Raumoheru]

well the character i am using is a basic tank - 18 strength 13 dex 18 con with full plate armor. i usually use greatswords as my weapon. when i leveled up and had to decide which feat i wanted, and i was stuck, weapon focus greatsword or bastard sword proficiency. since there is only a 2 damage difference, is it worth having a bastard sword instead of a greatsword? if i do then i can use a shield as well.

[Demortis]

its up to whether u want to deal more damage or have more defence. i would go with the more powerful greatsword. you can have all the defence in the world, but nothing will help you as much as killing the other guy quickly.

[shift244]

With a high STR, Weapon Specialization (Great Sword), Improved Crit/Keen, and Power Attack as needed will deal tremendous amounts of damage. Greater Specialization (if applicable/DnD 3.5) will do wonders.

You can get a Defending enchantment if needed i suppose... or an Animated Shield.

[Mr.Waesel]

Great Sword: Attack +4, damage 2d6+6 (average 13), AC 19

Bastard Sword: Attack +2, damage 1d10+4 (average 9.5), AC 23, 1 less feat.

[Raumoheru]

but is that with a character of the same stats and ability?

by the looks of it 2 less damage for 5+ AC looks like it is better, but most of you suggest i go for the greatsword?

ok thanks for the input.

[Mr.Waesel]

Yes it is. You deal 0.9* (9.5/13) = ~0.66, so about one third less damage.
You get hit 20% less.

So you deal 33% less damage and take 20% less damage. Ergo, it's a bad deal (and that's not counting the fact that you need to spend a feat) to fight with the bastard sword.

[Mr.Waesel]

Of course, a higher strength skews that comparison, because (a+c)/(b+c) != a/b

[Rob-hin]

When you encounter creatures with more attacks or several fighters, then the theory doesn't hold neighter.

[jopperm2]

I personally can't stand bastard sword. The only reason I can see using one is if you frequently fight mounted. That way you don't need a separate one-handed weapon for that.

[Aegis]

The only time I use the bastard sword if for RPing reasons. Either than that, it's a very distorted weapon (but then, so is the continous use of a greatsword ). But then, I also tend to play a character, not the stats. Makes for a weaker character, but one more fulfilling.

[Mr.Waesel]

Originally Posted by Rob-hin

When you encounter creatures with more attacks or several fighters, then the theory doesn't hold neighter.

No, it still holds under those circumstances. You see, you take 20% less damage from each attack.

[Mr.Waesel]

Originally Posted by Aegis

But then, I also tend to play a character, not the stats. Makes for a weaker character, but one more fulfilling.

How is it fullfilling to play a character who isn't very good at what he does?

[Aegis]

Originally Posted by Mr.Waesel

How is it fullfilling to play a character who isn't very good at what he does?

Who said he isn't good at what he does? My characters are always good at what they do, it's just a matter of what they do. I tend to do the finesse character over the min/max type of character. Never have stats below 10, unless it's part of the character. Never use a weapon that doesn't suit them (In fact, a lot of the time, my characters refuse to use any weapon but their own, meaning the DM comes up with creative ways to strengthen it as the campaign moves on).