Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

I would like to make a case for tweaking one aspect of the One Weapon feat. Specifically, the deflecting sweep part of it. I would like to propose that this be changed to a Shield bonus, rather than a Deflection bonus.

My reasoning is thus: Deflection implies that the attack is thrown off target before it even hits (it is calculated into Touch AC) while Shield implies that the attack hits, but fails to hit in an important area (such as parrying.) Also, mechanically, most players will get more benefit from a Shield bonus rather than a Deflection bonus, as currently the only ways to get a shield bonus are short lived spells, an actual shield, or a particular rapier.

Lanzlo wrote:I would like to make a case for tweaking one aspect of the One Weapon feat. Specifically, the deflecting sweep part of it. I would like to propose that this be changed to a Shield bonus, rather than a Deflection bonus.

My reasoning is thus: Deflection implies that the attack is thrown off target before it even hits (it is calculated into Touch AC) while Shield implies that the attack hits, but fails to hit in an important area (such as parrying.) Also, mechanically, most players will get more benefit from a Shield bonus rather than a Deflection bonus, as currently the only ways to get a shield bonus are short lived spells, an actual shield, or a particular rapier.

If such a change were to take place, then everyone with this feat who also happen to use shields would suffer because of it - this is due to bonuses don't stack. This would also mean that those with this feat suddenly had a defence bonus as if they were using a shield.

I would like to counter suggest that it retains its type as deflection, but becomes stackable with other deflection bonuses - because in the end it doesn't really matter what its type is, what matters if one benefits from the bonus or not.

We think One Weapon as it stands is already a little too powerful for a single feat investment. Following that reasoning we don't want to make it more attractive than it already is.

Endelyon wrote:We think One Weapon as it stands is already a little too powerful for a single feat investment. Following that reasoning we don't want to make it more attractive than it already is.

Fair enough. Thank you for the quick reply.

No worries. I can see your reasoning at least, I'd much rather have the Shield bonus myself too. :p

this leads me to a couple questions

does two weapon defense apply when wielding a torch and a weapon?

does equipping torch in offhand negate one weapon ac? torch is considered a true weapon?

I think the rule is that if you have ANYTHING in your off hand, you can't use One Weapon. I've tried it with a torch, and it does kick you out of the combat style.

Yes, the off-hand must be empty.

Valefort wrote:Yes, the off-hand must be empty.

That's what I thought too.

Which confused me about this.

Incarnate wrote:
If such a change were to take place, then everyone with this feat who also happen to use shields would suffer because of it - this is due to bonuses don't stack. This would also mean that those with this feat suddenly had a defence bonus as if they were using a shield.

I would like to counter suggest that it retains its type as deflection, but becomes stackable with other deflection bonuses - because in the end it doesn't really matter what its type is, what matters if one benefits from the bonus or not.

Would the shield be useless... or the feat be useless... when combined together?

It doesn't work with a shield, if you equip one the feat is deactivated.

Good to hear.