Handedness

[Grenwyn]

I was thinking. (I know, right? )

In "real life" fencing, left-handed opponents have an advantage over their right-handed opponents because, being significantly less common, most right-handed fencers train with other right-handed fencers. So I was thinking--what about giving left-handed characters a +1 AC to represent that?

And then I thought, you know, maybe there would also be an "ambidextrous" feat, to eliminate (or reduce) the off-hand fighting penalty. (I'm not sure if the two-weapon fighting feat does that or if it only works when wielding two weapons...)

But then it dawned on me that this could run into trouble balance-wise. I'm not sure how to best balance it out.

Thoughts?

[Isaldur]

Dragons, Trolls, etc do not care what hand you are wielding your weapon in. Your character is fighting for his or her life on a regular basis constantly against all different varieties of creatures, people, and different weapons/fighting styles. Your suggestion would make sense to me if the only combat you ever encounter is sparring against someone with the same fighting style, the same weapon, and also the same level of skill. Great info for roleplay and immersion, but too confined to a certain scenario to really be of much benefit as something coded.

[Athon]

Personally, I think it's a cool thought that has good real-life merit. But, I don't like it for two reasons:

1. Combat in this game is far more complex than fencing.

2. It would give an unnecessary advantage to lefties. Remember, this is still a game and as such, we'll likely start seeing characters created, deleted, and remade until they are a lefty just for the advantage.

It's a cool concept, especially in a spar situation. But I feel this should only be a RP-choice and not a code advantage.

[Grenwyn]

This is true.

It also reminds me of a scene from a movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3gfFVmw0kA

[Khelebhzed]

Ambidextrous
You are equally capable with both hands, but that can be a bit distracting.
Benefit: If you are wielding only light weapons, the penalties for fighting with two weapons are reduced by one.
Drawback: You take a -2 penalty on initiative checks.
Roleplaying Ideas: When your character has to write something say he uses his left or right hand. When he needs to write something a second time switch the hand he used to write the first time.

[Athon]

Ambidextrous
You are equally capable with both hands, but that can be a bit distracting.
Benefit: If you are wielding only light weapons, the penalties for fighting with two weapons are reduced by one.
Drawback: You take a -2 penalty on initiative checks.
Roleplaying Ideas: When your character has to write something say he uses his left or right hand. When he needs to write something a second time switch the hand he used to write the first time.

There is already a feat in-game that is much more effective than what you proposed and has no drawback:

Code: Select all

TWO-WEAPON FIGHTING [GENERAL]
You can fight with a weapon in each hand. You can make one extra attack each round with the second weapon.
Prerequisite: Dex 15.
Benefit: Your penalties on attack rolls for fighting with two weapons are reduced. The penalty for your primary hand lessens by 2 and the one for your off hand lessens by 6.

[Grenwyn]

Does the two-handedness feat apply when you're wielding a single weapon or only when wielding two?

[Raona]

The two-weapon fighting feat has no effect if you are not wielding a second weapon.

[Khelebhzed]

That is the 3.5 version of ambidexterity.

But I think it would be more interesting to simply have an even smaller % than those left handed be ambidextrous. While a single weapon could be wielded in either hand without issue, the regular penalties would be applied as soon as a second is held, and mitigated thereafter as regular feats or skills allow.