Change axe-knuckles,

[DollarPhil]

So, I just got told by Nine that I am only allowed to use an Axe-knuckle if I am dual wielding it with another axe knuckle. Considering these are rare drops of a 5 times only quest, it's a little unreasonable I think to be expected to carry a 5 lb unusable weapon around in the hope of getting another. Also it makes them rather pointless for Small PCs who would be running a -4 AB penalty dual wielding them.

So, I'd like to suggest changing them a bit. Either let them be used with a shield, since you can make unarmed strikes with a shield on. Or, have Bilby sell Iron-Knuckle Knife, Cheap. A weapon without the feats, but allowed to be dual wielded with the axe.

[Caddies]

This is by design, and won't be changing for fairly obvious balance reasons...

[DollarPhil]

I wouldn't say that letting them be used as a single weapon, with or without a shield would be unbalancing, although easy access to an offhand may admittedly be too good. As it is they're either sick, or useless. Even if you make 5 perfect runs, there's enough loot variability you're unlikely to get a pair. Possibly allow a single one to be used if you aren't using a shield?

[Gippy]

These items are already grossly overpowered and should be removed, IMO. They are far better then most DM loot I've ever given out. One handed they're better than a dwarven war axe.

[9lives]

Yes. OP as shit. In favour of replacing them on the whole with the "Poor" versions.

[DollarPhil]

Nerf them down, but make them generally usable? I'd rather see +1 and +2 damage handaxes that were common enough to acquire a pair of than +1d4 ones I can't use.

[9lives]

You can use them in a pair. I don't see what the big deal is?

Also, there's plenty of +1 damage hand-axes around- Without absurd bonuses.

[Disco]

To give a pice of loot you need two of to use, on a quest like Bilbys, Is just strange to me. Remove them or change them I say. And yes they do seem very overpowered.

[DollarPhil]

What I mean, Nine, is I'd rather see Bilby's drop +1-2 dmg Axeknuckles and have a good chance of acquiring one or be able to buy an offhand to go with it. Rather than it dropping a single uber axe that very few PCs ever are lucky enough to acquire the required 2 of.

[Barehander]

A recent reply in the DM questions forum suggested that these are supposed to come in pairs, but they don't. That's the design flaw here, all power issues aside. If you want knuckles that are meant to be used on both hands, give two instead of one. Dumbest idea ever to give one, since you're unlikely to get another.

[Calculor]

Good. Would rather see these ridiculous things out of circulation >.>

[Howlando]

If you want knuckles that are meant to be used on both hands, give two instead of one. Dumbest idea ever to give one, since you're unlikely to get another.

Except no, plenty of people have managed to get two and use them as the pair that they were designed to be.

I didn't make the quest (which is amazing imo), didn't make the loot (and the items probably are too powerful, but this is arguably balanced precisely by the difficulty of acquiring BOTH of them), but I do not think it is very nice to call having these items as THE DUMBEST IDEA ever.

[Howlando]

Allow me to emphasize.

Amazing loot in EFU that comes from quests usually is very rare. In this case, the rarity is dictated by the necessity of getting BOTH.

[Ordeal]

Can somebody explain exactly what these axe-knuckles are and why there's so many threads about them?

[DollarPhil]

Handaxes with +2 to +1d4 Damage, available from a quest characters can only do a limited number of times and only usable if you have two of them. That also come with dual-wield feats on them.