Sanzuo
First Post
The feat, claw fighter, allows gnoll characters to use their natural claws as weapons. As of the release of Martial Power 2 however, the gnoll claws are not included in the list of weapons that allow brawler fighters to benefit from the brawler style bonuses. I propose that that the claw fighter claws (hereinafter referred to as; the claws) be amended to count as having a hand free for the purposes of the brawler style bonuses.
As of 3/17/10, the claw fighter feat says the following:
As of 3/17/10, the Brawler style says the following:
The proposed change would essentially allow the claws to function like spiked gauntlets in the above fighter style. The claws would allow the character to gain the +1 bonus to AC and the +2 bonus to Fortitude. The character would gain the +2 bonus to grab attacks and attacks to move a creature that is grabbed, but NOT be granted the +2 proficiency bonus to grab with unarmed attacks since the claws already include a proficiency bonus. The claws would also benefit from certain feats like Brawler Guard which grants a shield bonus to certain defenses and Brutal Brawler which upgrades the damage dice.
I would like this change to be made for the following reasons:
I will conclude by saying that I believe the changes I have proposed would not adversely affect game balance both because of the extra feat that this character requires and because the claws would not be overpowered compared to other weapons.
As of 3/17/10, the claw fighter feat says the following:
D&D Compendium said:
As of 3/17/10, the Brawler style says the following:
D&D Compendium said:
The proposed change would essentially allow the claws to function like spiked gauntlets in the above fighter style. The claws would allow the character to gain the +1 bonus to AC and the +2 bonus to Fortitude. The character would gain the +2 bonus to grab attacks and attacks to move a creature that is grabbed, but NOT be granted the +2 proficiency bonus to grab with unarmed attacks since the claws already include a proficiency bonus. The claws would also benefit from certain feats like Brawler Guard which grants a shield bonus to certain defenses and Brutal Brawler which upgrades the damage dice.
I would like this change to be made for the following reasons:
- The claws share characteristics with the spiked gauntlet, including the damage and off-hand property. The claws have a +3 proficiency bonus and deal 1d6 damage. Spiked gauntlets have a +2 proficiency bonus and also deal 1d6 damage.
- Although the claw has an additional +1 proficiency bonus over the spiked gauntled, a character also must acquire the Claw Fighter feat to even use the weapon. This is akin to acquiring a superior weapon feat, so therefore the claw is similar to a superior weapon and all that it entails.
- The rules as written do not explicitly state the claws do not count as having a hand free, and the claws were likely created before the rules in the Martial Power 2 were finalized. It is probable they were not taken into consideration.
- Flavor-wise, I believe the claw makes sense for the brawler to count as having hands free, since the fighter is literally fighting bare-handed.
- Lastly, I believe that the claw fighter is very much in the spirit of the brawler fighter. A gnoll slashing, gripping and rending with his or her own bare claws captures in my imagination the flavor of the brawler.
I will conclude by saying that I believe the changes I have proposed would not adversely affect game balance both because of the extra feat that this character requires and because the claws would not be overpowered compared to other weapons.
