2nd Edition AD&D Complete Psionic Handbook – Animal Affinity

[jaz0nj4ckal]

2nd Edition AD&D Complete Psionic Handbook – Animal Affinity

Folks:
My group and I are starting to use the Complete Psionic Handbook, but we are not sure how to use the following. A character has been created, which has the “Animal Affinity” Psychometabolic science, and rolled “Tiger” on the animal chart. Due to the latter, the character is now able to grow fangs and claws; however, during combat does the character use the punching table, or should we treat it as attacking with a weapon?


Thanks JJ

 

[Orius]

I'd consder it as attacking with natural weapons or something. You probably shouldn't apply proficiency penalties to it.

 

[jaz0nj4ckal]

I'd consder it as attacking with natural weapons or something. You probably shouldn't apply proficiency penalties to it.

Hi Orius - natural attack/weapon, so only THAC0 will apply?

Do you suspect it would be wise to limit this and “not” to include specialization bonuses related to the natural attack? Since every character is proficient in punching and wrestling, would it make sense to handle this in a similar manner, and grant proficiency to the attacks, so that only the base THAC0 applies?

I am worried that the player will want to specialize in the natural attack method, and due to the latter, I want to put a cap or limit the potential for an exploit.

 

[the Jester]

Only fighters can specialize, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Unless this guy's multiclassed- I don't recall off hand whether multiclassed fighters can specialize in 2e, but they couldn't in 1e.

But yeah, I'd treat it as a natural weapon.

 

[jaz0nj4ckal]

Only fighters can specialize, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Unless this guy's multiclassed- I don't recall off hand whether multiclassed fighters can specialize in 2e, but they couldn't in 1e.

But yeah, I'd treat it as a natural weapon.

Hi the Jester - You make a great point, and only Fighters can have specialization. I will have to read up on Natural Weapons, and how the attack methods work. I am not familiar with it, so I thank everyone who brought it to my attention.

 

[jaz0nj4ckal]

Can someone point me to where Natural Weapons/Attacks are covered in which books? I do not have access to my game material right now, but I want to dive right in and read about these items.

I am guessing that natural weapons/attacks will have a speed factor of 0, so no modifications will need to be made for inititive when using natural weapons/attacks.

Thanks

 

[Orius]

Jester's right, the psi should not get anything like specialization because that's supposed to be limted to single-class fighters. Some books like the Fighter's Handbook and Combat and Tactics are a bit more are generous and allow multiclass fighters to specialize, but that's your call as a DM. What I meant by no penalties is that the psi should not be considered to be non-proficient when attacking with claws, etc. It should be about the same as a monster attacking with claws, fangs, etc. I don't know exactly where you could find information about natural weapons, but I'd start with the combat chapter in the DMG. The Complete Book of Humanoids might cover aspects of the topic as well.

 

[Stormonu]

Can someone point me to where Natural Weapons/Attacks are covered in which books? I do not have access to my game material right now, but I want to dive right in and read about these items.

I am guessing that natural weapons/attacks will have a speed factor of 0, so no modifications will need to be made for inititive when using natural weapons/attacks.

Thanks

There's not any special rules for natural attacks in 2E, at least that I could find. What I did find was on p51-52 of the DMG and p89-91 of the PHB. Also, you are correct about speed factor, it is 0 for natural weapons (p96, Weapon Speed and Initiative sidebar), though in my old games we used +2 or +3 as that seemed a bit unfair, considering a knife/dagger is basically a "claw".

Also, when you state "base THAC0", you do realize that you get Strength bonuses to hit and damage with natural attacks, right?

 

[jaz0nj4ckal]

Jester's right, the psi should not get anything like specialization because that's supposed to be limted to single-class fighters. Some books like the Fighter's Handbook and Combat and Tactics are a bit more are generous and allow multiclass fighters to specialize, but that's your call as a DM. What I meant by no penalties is that the psi should not be considered to be non-proficient when attacking with claws, etc. It should be about the same as a monster attacking with claws, fangs, etc. I don't know exactly where you could find information about natural weapons, but I'd start with the combat chapter in the DMG. The Complete Book of Humanoids might cover aspects of the topic as well.

I will try to dig up my Complete Book of Humaniods from storage and see what I can find. Thank for the pointers - I was in error and blended two of my ideas together. If a Fighter has a "Wild Talent" of "Animal Affinity", would you grant specilization to the natural attack forms? If the latter is - yes - and sticking with the example of "Tiger", which gets 3 attacks per round (claw/claw/bite). Would you appliy specialization to both methods or just one?


Thanks again.

 

[jaz0nj4ckal]

There's not any special rules for natural attacks in 2E, at least that I could find. What I did find was on p51-52 of the DMG and p89-91 of the PHB. Also, you are correct about speed factor, it is 0 for natural weapons (p96, Weapon Speed and Initiative sidebar), though in my old games we used +2 or +3 as that seemed a bit unfair, considering a knife/dagger is basically a "claw".

Also, when you state "base THAC0", you do realize that you get Strength bonuses to hit and damage with natural attacks, right?

Thank you for pointing that out. I was not forgetting STR hit/damage bonuses, but I was making it confusing since I was lumping them together when I would say "Base THAC0". Glad you pointed that out, which has made that aspect of this discussion more complete for others to follow.

Thanks...