Quick question:

There is a feat for increasing the armor class given by your shield. There is a feat that lets you get a shield bonus while two-weapon fighting. Is there (and if no why not) a feat for Two-Handed defense?

Thoughts?

Two Weapon Defense (PHB) +1 AC when dual wields

Imp Two Weapon Defense (PHB2) +1 AC when dual wielding (stacks)

Greater 2 weapon defense (PHB2) +1 ac when dual wielding (stacks)

So you get 3 feats that give a net +3 to AC when dual wielding.  For monks, I'd be open to monk gloves ala NWN. Defender Gloves come to mind.

yea... I agree with you there... but I was asking about Two-Handed, not Two-Weapon. Single weapon, such as a bastard sword, weilded with 2 hands.

There are classes that focus on one hand empty fighting.  But as big weapon fighting, most assume that you give up your defense for lots more damage.

But that's the thing: Is single weapon 2 hands such a bigger damage bump over 2 weapons 2 hands? You dont give up any of your damage when dual weilding to get the defense out of it, just a couple more feats.

I'm smelling homebrew unless there is a good reason not to. any bump in ac is a bump in survivability >.<

i agree with sev

Assumptions:  Shield Counts for 3 AC (2 for heavy, 1 for spec)
Short Sword (offhand), Long Sword (main hand), Two-hand Bastard Sword
Str 18 +4

Single Hand Weapon - AB+0, AC +0, DMG +0: Worst Option

Sword and Board - AB +0, AC +3, Dmg +0: Standard Option

Dual Wield - AB - 2, AC+3 (feats), Dmg 1d6+2: Same AC, Better Damage, Lower AB

Two-Hander - AB +2 (from str), AC +0 Dmg +2: Less AC, more AB, More damage*

So what I suggest is this:  Keep two weapon fighters low on AC.  But give them 1.5 x str bonus on their attack roll, as well as their damage.  In this way, you hit way more often than some dual wielder, and your damage curve stays respectable to theirs.

Hmm. As i think about it more, maybe we shouldnt tweak it. As is, w/o feats, they lose out on a bit of AC, but not to hit, and gain damage.

Maybe we could do something like 2e did. Style Specialization. I kno 3.5 has it in the form of damage types, and they kinda picked it up on shield proficiancy, but, to me, 2handers seem kinda left out. Maybe make the extra to hit something like TwoHander Specialization?

I struggled to find the 2e book, but unfortuantly couldnt. Ill try to look it up to see what they gave fighters for 2hander spec

One other thing to remember....2 handers also get wicked reach in a lot of cases.  You can lock down a 5x5 square....and with combat reflexes,.......lulz.

So, tactically speaking, the different fighting forms have very specific places in the line of battle.  Sword and board is the front b/c it has the armor.  AC tanking in always important, and these fighters serve as best friends to lower AC warriors.  Dual wielders tend to be skirmishers, b/c they get some many attacks.  They hold the flank.  Two weapon fighters from the core of the line.  When well defended, these guys dish out serious punishment.  Does more AC make everyone more likely to live?  Yes.  But does that need to be the focus.

Now, I was suggesting a tweak.  Right now, Two weapon fighters do not get str x 1.5 as a bonus to hit.  They only get str.  I propose that we change that to allow them to get 1.5 x Str to hit.  A high str build COULD abuse this to tune of +5 to hit....but that's not astronomical.  If we are worried it being too good, make it a feat called "Leverage"

Leverage feat:  You are better trained to use momentum and you natural leverage with weapons.  When you attack, you get an additional 50% str bonus to hit.

Benefit: Use Str Mod x 1.5 to Hit

W/out this feat: Use 1xStr Mod to hit.