Is the Greatsword the ultimate weapon?

[Quasqueton]

Is the greatsword-wielding (GS) fighter or barbarian the best build for combat effectiveness?

Does the sword and board fighter or the two-weapon fighter measure up? Does the archer?

From what I've seen, it seems that most of the combat feats - Power Attack, Cleave, Spring Attack, Whirlwind Attack, etc. - are perfectly useful to the GS fighter/barbarian.

I have seen in seperate games a GS barbarian and a GS fighter really hand out the whoop butt in combat. I've not seen a straight sword & board fighter or a two-weapon fighter as effective.

Is it just my limited experience, or does everyone seen the GS as the ultimate melee weapon?

Quasqueton

 

[Desdichado]

I think so. The only reason I don't use it is for flavor reasons. I kinda like the rapier using swashbuckler type, which is contrary to the greatsword image, but I agree that it's not as "effective" normally.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I'm with you on this score. I think that there is very little reason to use anything else. Even rogues should invest a feat to pick up the greatsword. -It's a bit dull, really.

The ability to deal a lot of damage in a short time is a lot better then the ability to withstand such for a long time. In the end the object of combat is to reduce the opposition to less than 0 hit points.

 

[Dark Jezter]

Some people will argue that a spiked chain "tripper" is the best build for a barbarian or fighter.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

It probably is one of the best choices...but I love the rapier wielding Fighter and the classic sword and board fighter. I don't think I've actually ever played a Greatsword using warrior. Never had an NPC use one either.

 

[Liolel]

I don't believe that there's an ultimate weapon. There's two many variable factors. For example the greatsword, is terrible if your grappled or in small passages. I have a homebrewed class for my campaign the swashbuckler that receives a lot of bonus with weapons that weapon finesse can be used on so greatswords are bad for them.

You can also find surprising power in scimitars with keen or Improved Critical, and with the spiked chain with all of its built in abilities. In a large party a reach weapon may be preferable, with one or more fighters keeping the monsters busy, and a fighter with a halberd attacking from safety.

Basically what I'm saying is the ultimate weapon always depends on the situation.

 

[Creamsteak]

I think the greatsword is at it's peak at 1st level when they are sacrificing the very least in order to wield it. Every level after first, the character starts to miss out on advantages presented by other classes. Once a character can be gaining a +4 or higher benefit to AC from a magically enhanced shield, the shield character starts to gain some advantages. A sword and shield character deals approximately 2.5 points less damage per attack (before power attack) and has an AC that deflects an additional 20% of attacks. 20% of attacks are probably worth losing 25 damage over 10 rounds.

With power attack, the Greatsworder that can still hit with his high strength can deal greater damage at a point for point rating. Any opponent that a greatsword wielder would hit more than 60% of the time is a good target for power attack. However, consider that if that target gets a +20% or better bonus to AC, the greatsworders power attack becomes less effective.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Spring attack and cleave are more useful to fighters with reach - aka either polearms or spiked chains.

Whirlwind attack is best with a spiked chain, although again reach weapons are pretty good.

Double damage from a spear set vs a charge is extremely sweet.

Greatswords don't trip, and don't get a bonus on disarm checks.

You can't throw a greatsword.

With a large shield and a throwing axe, two weapon fighting, improved shield bash and two weapon defense (ie - a starting human fighter), you gain a +3 on ac, two attacks at -2 each for a total of 2d6+str mod - which is only 1/2 str mod less than a greatsword wielder. Additionally you have a thrown weapon, and will threaten an area even after throwing it.

Pick up stuff like shield charge (from defenders of the faith), or get enchantments on your stuff (a +2 greatsword is more expensive than two +1 weapons - axe and spikes - and a +1 shield)

 

[Nightfall]

I personally favor either the Kurki greatsword or Broadreach double scythe.Scythes are just damn cool.

 

[nimisgod]

While it's true that there's not a lot of disadvantages to getting a Greatsword at first level, it does cost 50 GP. That and the fact that at first level, most weapons you wield (if you're a fighter) will kill the average goblin, kobold, orc. The exception to this is Undead (Zombie, Skeletons, etc.) and certain weak but not too weak creatures with DR (Twig Blights).

A friend pointed out to me that while a greatsword is kewl at the lower levels, he thinks that the Falchion wins for damage at higher levels. So you get 2d4 instead of 2d6. That's two points difference, but it's compensated for the higher threat ratio and the fact that most of the damage you deal at high levels can be muliplied in a critical hit. There's the chance that you might be facing a COUPE*, but compared the Greatsword, you're probably losing only 2 points.

And then you have the rat bastard weapon known as the Spiked Chain. With the right feats (usually done by a Fighter), the Spiked Chain wielder not only deals damage but also harasses the enemy (and makes the GM pull his hair out). Especially in 3.5 where Improved Trip gives a character a +4 to Trip Attempts!

The Two Weapon fighter is usually sub-par... except when Sneak Attacks are involved. When you're flanked by a falchion-wielding Barbarian and a Rogue with two weapons, it's usually curtains for you unless you can kill the Rogue (and even then, there's the barbarian to worry about). A rogue can match a Barb in damage (except against a COUPE or someone with Uncanny Dodge).

Likewise, I've seen an Archer dish out tons of damage and take out big bad monsters without even moving from his spot and before anyone else got into melee. Unless specifically prepared against him, mages and other soft targets fell before casting a single spell.

Guys with Sword and Board enjoy an arguably better survivability. Get Combat Expertise and you could raise your AC to decent levels, acting as a wall that enemies must pass to get through to your artill- err wizards/sorcerers. While some may say that shields are useless at high levels bec. the monsters have such high attack bonuses, I would argue that a decent AC is needed to stave off nasty Power Attacks.

So obviously, there are a lot of options in which a warrior may dish out mucho damage. In fact, one of the things I enjoy most about D&D is the variety in styles with which you could play your warrior. Choose your poison!

* Construct, Ooze, Undead, Plant, Elemental