D&D (2024) 3 Months in - Weapon Mastery

[Eubani]

Now that we are 3 months in with the 2024 PHB what are people's thoughts on weapon mastery? Any problems or any obvious room for mechanical improvement.

My main issue is with nick and that the only 2 weapon combo I see is Shortsword + Scimitar which is a damn weird combo if you ignore mechanics and just run off the visual let alone history.

After about 3-4 levels the value of sap drops tremendously, I would like to see it scale affecting and extra attack maybe at 11th level.

 

[Xeviat]

Now that we are 3 months in with the 2024 PHB what are people's thoughts on weapon mastery? Any problems or any obvious room for mechanical improvement.

My main issue is with nick and that the only 2 weapon combo I see is Shortsword + Scimitar which is a damn weird combo if you ignore mechanics and just run off the visual let alone history.

After about 3-4 levels the value of sap drops tremendously, I would like to see it scale affecting and extra attack maybe at 11th level.

I'm enjoying weapon mastery, but I don't like how Nick is implemented. Luckily, because of Nick, I have been convinced that my TWFing house rules are just fine. Because of them, my Nick is getting replaced for an ability that lets the 1d4 weapons be paired with nonlight weapons for TWFing, so people can do Rapier/Dagger right away, and Scimitar is gonna get a new mastery as soon as I go look at what all the other blades get to make it different so all finesse weapons don't have Vex.

I'd have rather had martial "cantrips", some of which were restricted to weapon groups, damage types, and handedness, but the base rules are just fine.

 

[Zardnaar]

Haven't seen it to much mostly nick/vex and cleave.

Downside is more complications for newer players.

 

[ECMO3]

I am not a huge fan. It makes combat longer on our table. I am playing with it in most of my games though (both DM and PC).

Although it slows down the game that is not my biggest problem with it. My biggest issue is that all classes don't have some form of it.

 

[Eubani]

I am not a huge fan. It makes combat longer on our table. I am playing with it in most of my games though (both DM and PC)

I find it takes a few extra seconds here and there but it is overall worthwhile. I would like to see some better scaling with some of the masteries though.

 

[Horwath]

Love the idea, hate the execution.

mastery should have been "battle master's maneuvers, light edition".

I.E:
Learn a mastery, apply it on attack to every weapon that is qualifies.
you can apply only one mastery per attack, you decide after attack is made. Same as BM unless you need to pick in advance like Nick mastery, as you need that to make the attack in the 1st place.

masteries:

Cleave: apply to all melee 2Handed or Versatile weapon attacks.
Graze: apply to all 2Handed or Versatile weapon attacks.
Nick: apply to all light weapons
Push: apply to all non-light weapons
Sap: apply to all 1Handed, non light, non finesse weapons
Topple: apply to all weapons
Slow: apply to all weapons
Vex: apply to all Finesse, Light and Ranged weapons.

Flex*: yes, that one...(improved): apply to all Versatile weapons
Increase Versatile damage die by one step, d8->d12, d10->d12 and apply that damage even with 1Hended attacks with a Versatile weapon.

9th level Fighter: tactical mastery:
you can apply 2 weapon masteries per attack.
yes, for TWF have both Vex and Nick on your offhand.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I haven't really noticed it much either way - it adds a bit of fun here and there, but I've never seen it bog anything down. Nor has it been a big revelation. It's fine.

 

[Zardnaar]

I haven't really noticed it much either way - it adds a bit of fun here and there, but I've never seen it bog anything down. Nor has it been a big revelation. It's fine.

Topple might be a problem. Save on every hit slows things down.
And yeah better than BM short rest version.

 

[Horwath]

I am not a huge fan. It makes combat longer on our table. I am playing with it in most of my games though (both DM and PC).

only one that really slows down the game is topple as it requires extra rolls. rest are passive, once you learn them, they are just part of attack.
one solution to topple:
if you beat target AC by 5 or more, you knock the target prone.
no extra rolls, pays out to seek attack bonuses more and to avoid penalties.

Although it slows down the game that is not my biggest problem with it. My biggest issue is that all classes don't have some form of it.

I would say that not all classes should have it, but options within classes should get at least one.

We will wait for kesnai monk, but I believe that kensai will get it.
also 1 weapon mastery should be available to monk from 1st level.

Cleric/druid that picks martial weapons for 1st level feature should get one mastery.

Same goes for subclasses that gain Extra attack feature.

also feat is too expensive for 1 weapon mastery. they are not that good to spend a feat on. it should be 2 or maybe 3 masteries for the feat. The 1st is the one you really need, and extra 2 are a nice backup.

 

[Zardnaar]

only one that really slows down the game is topple as it requires extra rolls. rest are passive, once you learn them, they are just part of attack.
one solution to topple:
if you beat target AC by 5 or more, you knock the target prone.
no extra rolls, pays out to seek attack bonuses more and to avoid penalties.


I would say that not all classes should have it, but options within classes should get at least one.

We will wait for kesnai monk, but I believe that kensai will get it.
also 1 weapon mastery should be available to monk from 1st level.

Cleric/druid that picks martial weapons for 1st level feature should get one mastery.

Same goes for subclasses that gain Extra attack feature.

also feat is too expensive for 1 weapon mastery. they are not that good to spend a feat on. it should be 2 or maybe 3 masteries for the feat. The 1st is the one you really need, and extra 2 are a nice backup.

I was going to take that feat as a Monk. Then realized you only get 1 mastery.