Whats wrong with Greatswords?

[Rexmundis]

It looks to statiscally do more damage due to the roll of 2d6 instead of 1d12 (the averages are slightly higher). But it crits less and for less damage. Which should I get a +4 greatsword or +4 Greataxe...or does it matter?

[WeaselKing]

Greatswords are falchions with a bad crit range. So unless you are a Warforged FVS, or the greatsword is the Sword of Shadow, pick a falchion or a greataxe.

[LunaCee]

Actually you would be better off going for a +1 Elemental Burst of Pure Good than a pure +4 unless you absolutely need the +4 to hit, in which case you have other problems.

To be honest a Carnifex from the Delera's end rewards would outdo either of the +4 weapons you mentioned.

[WeaselKing]

Actually you would be better off going for a +1 Elemental Burst of Pure Good than a pure +4 unless you absolutely need the +4 to hit, in which case you have other problems.

To be honest a Carnifex from the Delera's end rewards would outdo either of the +4 weapons you mentioned.

/signed

A +1 elemental burst greatclub of pure good would probably even do better than those +4s.

[Gadget2775]

Actually you would be better off going for a +1 Elemental Burst of Pure Good than a pure +4 unless you absolutely need the +4 to hit, in which case you have other problems.
**SNIP**

Soooo much wrong with that statement. You don't know what class, quest, difficulties, gear, build or playstyle. It's quite possible that he's not only a new player (IE gear deficient), but also a 3/4 BaB class that isn't min/maxed, which is used to run elite content. In that sort of situation it's quite easy to miss enough to want an additional +3 on a weapon. This is of course presuming he can afford a +1 Elemental Blast of Pure Good. Cause we all know that weapons like that don't go for an arm and a leg on the auction house right? I mean every single new player I come across is twinked out and good to go from the moment they sign up! Sheesh.

[LordArkan]

In the pen 'n' paper RPG, the greatsword is by far your best option for a weapon, and power attack is a waste of time. (It was only worth using a falchion over a greatsword if you were power attacking for at least -10 and STILL hitting on about a 5+, AND the monster wasn't immune to critical hits)

However, in DDO, power attack is actually useful due to the increasing attack bonus on iterative attacks (in PnP your attack bonus decreased on later attacks, meaning that the attack penalty would lower your overall damage, since you were causing your 3rd and 4th attacks in the round to miss). More damage = even better critical hits, meaning you'll want more of them (falchion) or even better multipliers (greataxe).

Racial enhancements obviously steer this decision as well. Elves can get bonuses with Falchions, Dwarves can get bonuses with Greataxes.
Hopefully this was helpful and not too rambly.

[Angelus_dead]

In the pen 'n' paper RPG, the greatsword is by far your best option for a weapon, and power attack is a waste of time.

That is contrary to the D&D 3.5 rules.

However, in DDO, power attack is actually useful due to the increasing attack bonus on iterative attacks (in PnP your attack bonus decreased on later attacks, meaning that the attack penalty would lower your overall damage, since you were causing your 3rd and 4th attacks in the round to miss).

You apparently overestimate the frequency of iterative attacks occurring under the D&D 3.5 rules.

[valorik]

Greatswords are falchions with a bad crit range. So unless you are a Warforged FVS, or the greatsword is the Sword of Shadow, pick a falchion or a greataxe.

wrong, greatswords and falchions are both superior to greataxes or mauls, the average is x4 vs x3 with no improved crit and x8 vs x6, and the base damage is lower on greataxe.

Greatswords are a superior weapon for low levels, once you pick up power attack, start using falchions.

[Bacab]

Greatswords are falchions with a bad crit range. So unless you are a Warforged FVS, or the greatsword is the Sword of Shadow, pick a falchion or a greataxe.

This...or if you happen to pull a Metalline+ holy/Pure good and you are fighting A Devil in a Raid...and you do not have a Falchion or Greataxe that breaks DR.

[Kralgnax]

Nothing's "wrong" with greatswords, and for lower level characters with finite resources, a greasword may well be your best readily available weapon.

At high levels and fighting crit-able creatures - where critical hit considerations rule, a Falchion or greataxe is almost certainly a better choice - unless you're a Paladin using Hloy sword or have that +12 Hackmaster the Sword of Shadows.

At (say) level 5, for a new main character with no cash to speak of, the Nicked greatsword from the Sharn AP may well be your best affordable two-hander.

Assuming you'e a level 6 or 7-ish character with limited cash, I'd buy whatever two-hander you can find cheap on the AH. If you get lucky and find a good one, great! With care or a decent group you can do the Delara's tomb AP and hope you get Carnifex (+2 Keen Greataxe, ML4) as an end reward, but many hearts have been broken that way