2H Swords vs Halberds?

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Which is a better weapon class, in general? What I've noticed is halberds have the damage (Wave) but no special abilities (Vorpal Sword). So which should my Barbarian use? Using both isn't an option for a long time because I have un-nerfed GM and my Barby can get it for some reason, probly some mod I have. Anyways, which ones should I pick?

 

personally id go for the two handed swords since they are easier to get at the begging of the game and are still good at the end of it, while on the other hand halberds arent very good at the begining of the game without mods because there arent many good ones.With a merchant mod(dont remember which one) you can get a +3 halber that gives a bunch of resistances for about 30000 gold.

 

What swords are you refering to? I know of Lilacor, any others? I'm using Harmonium Halberd right now (I'll use SK to move proficiency points around if I change my mind) which is +1 str, -1 wis/int and it's +3. I can get Dragons Breath at Underdark and Wave shortly after. The only other nice 2H Sword I know of in SoA is Vorpal. I can get Gram in ToB or Ravager. Hmmm....so many decisions.

 

THere is a Halberd that gives out a lot of "different" damage. Fire, cold, acid, poison etc. I can't remember it's name though...

 

You mean the Dragonbreath halberd Arian mentioned. You get it after killing the drow hunting party (the one with the goblin ) in the Underdark.

By the way you can also get a +4 halberd when selling Adalons eggs to the demon.

 

What +4 Halberd is that from the demon? I'm still not sure though, I mean, I could get a Vorpal Sword, how cool is that?? But Halberds do more damage. And I'm debating whether or not to take Sarevok, if I do he gets the swords, at least until I get Gram, then one of us could use Vorpal and one could use Halberd. My party's very fun right now, btw, Korgan, Viccy (changed her to a fighter/cleric) and me as a Barbarian. Flail of Ages, Harmonium Halberd, Stonefire and the Axe from Arnise Keep. Fun fun right there.

 

Well, since this is the TOB forum you should keep in mind that eventually there is the Ravager which when upgraded may be the strongest weapon in the game: 1d10+6/=6 Thac0, 3-18 poison damage unless save vs. poison, and the real kicker which is 10% chance of decapitating opponen NO SAVE. Obviously the lack of the save is probably the sign of a broken weapon game balance wise but *shrug, YMMV.

Dragon's Breath and Wave will certainly hold you over until then of course.

If it were me, I'd just pick which ever one you feel is neater and fits your image the best since both weapon classes are great - halbred seems to be the class less travelled.

 

Yeah, I think I'm gonna go with Halberds and someone else can use the Vorpal. About the Ravager, does the decapitation go through stoneskin? What about Prot. from Magical Weapons? Death Ward? Can I decapitate every single guy out there? If so, that could be fun, technically with one greater whirlwind (assuming all hits go through) whatever I'm hitting would die. Fun.

 

It wouldn't go through protect from magical weapons because... well, it's a magical weapon isn't it.

 

To be honest, I'm not sure what can and can't protect against the Ravager - I've never used it myself. I just look at it and am awed by its power. It does have the strongest vorpal type effect in the game. The sword hits on something like 25% of the time but grants a save at -2 iirc. The axe of the unyielding also grants a save (though it isn't listed, it's there and you can see it via some of the tools) at -4 but the Ravager has no save. This is really huge in TOB I'd imagine where so many enemies have great saves.

 

I think the Vorpal save is -4, how much is the penalty on the Axe? This could be potentially very strong, Sarevok with Vorpal, me with Ravager, Korgan with Unyielding, and Viccy with doom. Instant deaths left and right.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if the instant-death effect of the ravager didn't work on bosses. I've never used it though, so I'm not sure on this.

 

My understanding of the "instant death" rule was that it works only on opponents that are approximately human-sized. So if the boss is about that size (like Gromnir), it should work, but against something a lot larger (like a dragon) it wouldn't work.

It's strange, I just posted a similar thread about my upcoming fighter, and I'm debating the same thing - halberds or 2-handed swords. My solution is like this - I'll take proficiencies in two-handed weapon style (2), halberds (2) and two-handed swords (2). That way there, I'll start the game with a 2-handed sword, but I'll place all of my later proficiencies into halberd, so by the time I hit underdark, I'll be able to take advantage of the better halberds, and also Ravager in ToB.

 

IIRC there is no protection against the vorpal effect - Extremist has made some research on that if I'm not mistaken but I'm not sure if he has posted it.
If I got him right it is like rolling the dice against vorpal effect every hit: missing means instant death - for goblins as well as for a dragon - suggesting it is kinda ... unballanced? But iirc it was later fixed for the bosses you encounter in ToB, it would be too silly if you chop Yaga Shura's head off in a sec and the fight is over.

That's what makes Sarevok with his deathbringer assault using a vorpal weapon so awesome - and considering his silly will-save - so menacing once he's charmed.

 

I just checked, the vorpal effect of ravager won't work on a 'boss' type of character. Interestingly, things like Ixyl Spike's effect (sp?)will work on 'bosses' such as, well, for spoilers I won't mention em I guess. Same thing with Gramm Sword of Grief's special effects.