Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons?

[Obsinius]

I’m fairly new to the fighter class and I was wondering why most of the builds I see take Slashing Specialization and I see no Bludgeon Specialization at all? I’m sure there is a reason for it, and I assume end game mobs are on average less slash resistant or perhaps there are some uber slash weapons I’m unaware off. From a personal perspective I prefer bludgeon just because smashing things with a hammer appeals to me.
What is the argument against Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons?

[IgorHackNSlasher]

It entirley depends on the build, there are plenty of stun speced TWF out there, just not as many as the TWF khopesh wielders. unfortunatly its mostly about min/maxing, khopesh is the best 1 handed weapon hands down so most people use it ans since its a slashing weapon...

[Rickpa]

It's all about critical range. Bludgeoning weapons have none, which means that on mobs that are vulnerable to critical hits, damage from bludgeoning is greatly wanting.

[Khurse]

It's all about critical range. Bludgeoning weapons have none, which means that on mobs that are vulnerable to critical hits, damage from bludgeoning is greatly wanting.

Kinda, sorta.

Bludgeoning is great if you combine it with stunning blow,it's probably better than Khopesh at high levels IF you have a SB DC that's high enough. And it's definitely better for epics.

It's not that great for the 1-18 experience, it will certainly work, but it's not the best.

[GBantaR]

The best three weapons in the game are generally agreed to be, in this order:

1. Kopesh
2. Dwarven Axe
3. Bastard Sword

People who are tired of the look of Kopeshes (Kopeshi? Kopez?) will either do a dwarf build based on Dwarven Axes or Bastard Swords.

Even the better bludgeoning weapons can't compete with the higher damage dice and crit ranges of these three weapons.

So that's why you don't see many bludgeoning builds. However, you can build whatever you want! It's a pretty sure thing that if all your other basics are in (Kensai skills on your chosen weapon, improved Crit, etc.) you'll still be a very good fighter at any level. And with bludgeoning, your Stunning Blow will be better. Most of us nerds just want the max DPS possible.

[Tribe33]

And to add to the Bastard sword comment,

they maybe third best .. but NO ONE and I mean something like 1% if that uses them.
hence they are DIRT cheap I started using them because I was able to buy a +5 icy burst, flame Burst, pure good bastard sword for 10k plat. that was worth changing from khopesh to bastard sword.. when a +1 flaming pure good khopesh can go for 50KP to 75kp and a +5 version 500KP

I then found a +1 ghost touch of disruption in the pawnshop?!?! so i took my haggle sorc and I paid 12kp for it.

you will find no end to the amount of GREAT bastards available throughout the auction CHEAP as well as pawnshops, in the inspired quarter or House D

sure they'e x2 crit multiplier you do a little less dmg in the short term, but you can use them until you find that really great weapon then switch back if you want to.

[dkyle]

1. Kopesh
2. Dwarven Axe
3. Bastard Sword

Scimitar is better than Bastard Sword with a decent STR/static damage bonuses.

For THF, Slashing is pretty much the only choice. Mauls are less base damage than a Greataxe. THF is at a big disadvantage for stunning, so specialization in stunning on THF isn't generally done.

[Angelus_dead]

Scimitar is better than Bastard Sword with a decent STR/static damage bonuses.

Other weapons better than Bastard Sword are heavy pick, light pick, rapier, and kukri.

[Propane]

War Hammers and Maul both have a 5%base crit X 3... similar to Great Axe / Axe...

You see a few of them around...

[honkuimushi]

War Hammers and Maul both have a 5%base crit X 3... similar to Great Axe / Axe...

You see a few of them around...

But they also are 1 step below a Dwarven Axe/ Greataxe in base damage-- 1d8 vs. 1d10 and 1d10 vs. 1d12. They get use as skelly bashers, but DPS builds usually go slashing, especially because you can get an extra 2 damage with axes if you're a dwarf.

That said, they are viable, especially with a Stunning Blow build, but I would not call them optimal.

[theb]

Everything is situational. That said, some situations occur more often than others.

Khopeshes usually do the most damage. Resistance to slashing is actually somewhat common, but it's still best for damage overall.

I'm creating a character that uses stunning blow, boosts for which only come on bludgeoning weapons. If it works out, my party members using picks will out damage those using khopesh (since mobs will be auto-crittable while in stun). On mobs resistant to stun, they won't. But if those mobs are highly resistant to critical hits, a dwarf using dwarven axes will have the best damage. And so it goes, situation is key. Those characters most versatile and able to use weapons best for any situation are sometimes unable to be best at anything.

For a new player making a fighter, I recommend following a build that is lauded on the forums. If you only have 28 point builds, a two handed barbarian is not stat intensive at all and will be great. If you have 32 point builds, you can be more choosy. If you find a khopesh build you like, change *only* one thing: take the bastard sword feat instead of khopesh. Switch to khopesh after you make a greensteel weapon. Bastard swords are not in demand and better if you don't have much money.