A feat that allows rogues to use more weapons

[Meatboy]

So my group and I are converting over our 3.5 campaign to a 4e one and we came up against a snag. One player is playing a fgt/rog who is basically a ninja. His main weapon is a katana. Now this shouldn't be a big problem except that none of the rogues powers are useable with anything except a light blade. I came up with this feat to compensate. Comments are always encouraged.

Brutal Blade [rogue]
Prerequisites: Rogue, Brutal Scoundral class feature
Benefits: A rogue can now use any class ability that has the "light blade" requirement with any one handed weapon.

 

[Terwox]

If the feat is named Brutal Blade, but it allows any one handed weapon, then it has an odd flavor for a rogue using a mace.

Not sure how to fix it of course. I suppose "Katana Elegance" might be alright for that particular character.

 

[Stalker0]

I think such a feat is fine. I'd also allow it so that rogues can use bows (provided they are proficient with bows).

 

[TheGlow]

Nod, I was very surprised with the lack of short bows as a default.
For RP reasons, I was just never a fan of the Xbow.

 

[Meatboy]

Yeah maybe not the best name. I wanted it to reflect the nature of the feat, emphasizing power over subtlety, but I really didn't like the way "brutal weapon" rolled of the tongue.
Thanks for the responses. Now if only the player could roll higher than five. They might actually be able to put the feat into use.

 

[GorTeX]

Instead of any one handed weapon, I'd have it be any One weapon. So, if you wanted to use a katana, you could take this feat but it wouldn't apply to a mace or a longsword. If you wanted it to apply to a long bow, then it'd apply only to the longbow (of course, you'd have to get prof. first)...

 

[Sir Brennen]

I'd agree that the feat should only apply to a single weapon. Of course, the player would still need to spend a feat to gain proficiency with the weapon (I'd make that a prereq for the Brutal Blade feat, actually.)

 

[Meatboy]

Well I had thought about that. I just didn't want my player to have to take more feats than needed. I figured this feat just allows them to have more flexibility with their powers. They don't actually need to be proficient with the weapon. Proficiency now just means that the PC can use the weapon better than a normal person can.

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

Personnally, I wouldn't allow it on a one handed basis.

It would be better to have a feat that allowed the use of sneak attack with heavy blade (whether one handed ot not) for example.

You'd get an attribute requisite based on the type of weapons inspired from that table on p.76.

Sneak attack with heavy blades ; Dex 15
With axes : Str 13, Con 13
Hammers : Con 15

etc.

Obviously you would also need to be proficient in these weapons.

As an associated houserules ; I'd allow the Weapon proficiency feat to make you proficient in weapons group instead of just one (except for superior weapons associated with a group like Bastartd sword and heavy blade, obviously).

 

[DonAdam]

Alternatively, you could just use rapier stats for any weird melee weapon the rogue wants to use. That way you know you're balanced with the core rules.

I don't think it would be the best idea to let the rogue get his hands on some of the feats for other weapons--notably heavy blade opportunity or scimitar dance. Being able to bust out a piercing strike as an opportunity attack is just stealing too much of the fighter's thunder.