Zweihänder (3.5e Equipment)



The zweihänder is a massive, two-handed blade that even outstrips the greatsword in length, width of the tang, and craftsmanship. Despite its seemingly ungainly size and weight however, the zweihänder was especially tailored to make optimum use of its great heft and reach in various different ways. It has a very long hilt and the blade is further adorned with a long ricasso (unsharpened part of the blade) extending from the cross, allowing the wielder to grasp and secure the weapon in his grip in a multitude of ways.

The zweihänder is an exotic weapon by default, but can be used in two hands as a martial weapon if the wielder has a Strength score of 20 or more. If the wielder has Exotic Weapon Proficiency, he may wield a zweihänder effectively with a Strength score of 15. Failing to meet the requirement makes the zweihänder an improvised weapon with a -4 penalty to attack and damage rolls.

Combat Options
The zweihänder can be used with several basic stances, by any wielder with Exotic Weapon Proficiency and a sufficient Strength score. You may enter a stance only at the very start of your turn as a swift action before performing any other actions, and the effects of any such stance last until the start of your next turn.

Basic: A regular attacking style that isn't a special stance, using the weapon in basic attack patterns; sweeping vertical axe swings, oft alternated with wide horizontal swipes. While not using a stance you standardly deal slashing damage. By taking a -4 penalty to your attack rolls for the rest of the round, you can swing in a wide arc and target up to two creatures that are adjacent to each other with every attack action, as long as both creatures are within your reach.

High: The high stance involves holding the zweihänder at a side-face cross stance in front of the chest, with the blade pointed forward. In this stance, you do piercing damage. It is hard to pour your Strength into your attack while using this stance, but it allows for very proficient defense and parrying. While in this stance, your attacks deal no Strength-based damage, but you gain your Strength bonus as a shield bonus to AC against one designated target. All your speeds are halved while using this stance.

Low: The low stance uses the length of the blade like a polearm same as the high stance, but this stance is focused on offense, using the extended blade-grip to commit to powerful thrusting attacks. In this stance, you do piercing damage, and by taking a -2 penalty to any attack roll during your turn, you may treat the zweihänder as a reach weapon for the purpose of that attack, allowing you to target creatures 5 feet further away. All your speeds are halved while using this stance.

Back: The back stance involves holding the zweihänder not unlike a broom, with the blade low to the ground behind the wielder. The back stance uses the full weight of the weapon to swing up with great force, at the cost of any defense. In this stance, you deal slashing damage. While in back stance, you gain the benefits and penalties of a charge on every attack, and all Strength-based damage is doubled, but attacking from this stance provokes an attack of opportunity from the target each time.