OA: Samurai & Katana

Valavien · Mar 13, 2002

Hi all,

I have a question for you: In Oriental Adventures Is the Samurai proficient with the Katana or do they have to use a feat to get exotic weapon proficiency?

hong · Mar 13, 2002

Valavien said:
Hi all,

I have a question for you: In Oriental Adventures Is the Samurai proficient with the Katana or do they have to use a feat to get exotic weapon proficiency?

They are proficient with the katana as a _martial weapon_, meaning that they can use it two-handed without penalty. Using it one-handed requires an Exotic Weapon Proficiency, for which they have to spend a feat.

Valavien · Mar 13, 2002

I don't have the books here with me but I thought that the Katana was an Exotic weapon?

Crothian · Mar 13, 2002

A Katana is a MW Bastard sword. It is listed as an Exotic weapon, but has special rules. You can use it as a 2-handed wepaon as a martial weapon. However, if you want to fight with it in one hand you need to take the Exotic weapon feat for it. So, a Samurai can use it as a 2-handed weapon, but needs the feat for it to be used in one hand without penalty.

Valavien · Mar 13, 2002

That makes sense. My DM said that I have an extra feat as I chose Exotic WP Katana as I thought I needed that to use it. So now I have the option to change. My dilema is do I just keep the feat and go down the two weapon fighting path, or chose others?

I just made second level so I have Quick Draw and Improved Initiative, I guess my character was going down the Iajutsu Master path so I might be better choosing Skill Mastery Iajutsu Focus to get +2 to Iajutsu Focus? Any other ideas for samurais?

Crothian · Mar 13, 2002

Those seem like the feats I'd choose for my samurai. Weapon Focus is always good and I really like Expertise. It more depends on your character and campaign.

Valavien · Mar 13, 2002

I thought about those but my Dex is only 13 and I need 15

I might have to look a lot closely into Two Weapon Fighting and the Iajutsu. I guess more importantly have a character concept in mind and stick to it.

Apok · Mar 13, 2002

Mitsurugi ain't got nuthin' on this...

If you are using AEG's Rokugan book, go Dragon Clan. They have several nice feats for using two weapons (Katana & Wakizashi) and would mix well if you want to go that route. Just a thought.

Ranger REG · Mar 13, 2002

Valavien said:
I don't have the books here with me but I thought that the Katana was an Exotic weapon?

It is classified as an exotic weapon as the bastard sword is classified as an exotic weapon. In fact, both are basically similar ... basically.

A fighter or any class that is proficient with all martial weapons can wield a katana or a bastard sword two-handed only. If said class takes the EWP on the respective weapon can choose to wield said weapon either one-handed or two-handed.

If you are playing an archetypal samurai, then you have no need to acquire EWP early in the game. Just use the katana two-handed.

But if you want to play a Rokugani samurai from the Dragon clan (or a samurai modeled after Miyamoto Mushashi), then acquire EWP and all other feat to wield both katana and wakizashi as a two-weapon fighting specialist.