Alternate Fighter

[Coredump]

khaalis, what he is doing (i am pretty sure) is a mix.

fighters (etc.), like all other classes, will get martial proficiency with *one* weapon.

Then, as a 'class ability' or whatever, the non-proficiency penalty (for martial weapons) is reduced from -4 to -0.


So, as a first level fighter, I am proficient in all simple weapons, and one martial weapon. I will pick scimitar.

Now, if I use a longsword, I take not hit on my BAB for non-proficiency. But I can only take weapon focus on the scimitar. If I want to take weapon focus on the longsword, I will have to burn another feat to become proficient, and then can focus on it.


Now, I think this will only lock fighters into picking what they want to focus/specialize on much earlier.

 

[Arkhandus]

Aye, and that's exactly why it's wasteful and penalizing such characters a feat or two. The only difference is that those characters will need to waste an extra feat for any weapon they want to gain Focus, and Specialization, and such in. It won't have any other effect whatsoever but to diminish the usefulness of Weapon Focus and Specialization. That just doesn't make any sense.

Fighters are already a relatively weak class, anyway, so just give them the extra 2 skill points per level and a few more class skills. It won't overpower them by any means. Don't take away any of their proficiencies for such a minor upgrade that they may as well have anyway. Make their skill list something like this:

Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all creature lore skills, taken individually) (Int), Knowledge (war) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Creature lore Knowledge skills are stuff like Knowledge (Undead), Knowledge (Dragons), Knowledge (Illithidkin), Knowledge (Goblinoids), etc. Representing stuff the character has learned about certain creature types.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

I dont think its wasteful at all. If anything it reinforces the focus and specialization in those two feats.

I've never met a single person that waited 3 or 4 levels to choose their focus on a weapon. The individuals i've played with started with a character concept and went with it.

It doesnt penalize anything. It does what I originally intended. It changes the flavor of the fighter, from the master of all weapons, and a melee machine, to the master of one weapon, his weapon. A skilled individual who uses his knowledge and wits to not just outfight his enemies, but out wit them. In a pinch, his combat experience allows him to use any marital weapon to defend himself, but his dedication and focus lie with his chosen weapon. Be it axe, sword, scythe or what not.

Yes it locks the fighter into that one weapon from day one. But, spending weapon focus on more then one blade is a waste anyhow. You have one primary weapon you use in combat, be it ranged or melee depending on your character archetype. Unless you're a two weapon fighter you typically cannot use two diffrent weapons at once.

Even so, not many two weapon fighters take weapon focus in their secondary weapon anyway.

 

[trentonjoe]

It sounds like to me you want the fighter to get more skill points at the expense of only being able to use one weapon and no heavy armor.

I personally don't like the idea and wouldn't want to play a fighter in that type of game but I don't think it is a big deal.

I do feel this will weaken fighters because they will be spending their feats on things like MARTIAL WEAPON: Longbow AND more or less requires them to take the WF,WS,GWF,GWS feat chain.

I would expect less expertise and trip type experts.

Isn't this the concept behind the Kensai class/PrC? Dig up the 1E Oriental Adventures and check that out. It may give you some ideas.

 

[Coredump]

I do feel this will weaken fighters because they will be spending their feats on things like MARTIAL WEAPON: Longbow AND more or less requires them to take the WF,WS,GWF,GWS feat chain.

Aye, and that's exactly why it's wasteful and penalizing such characters a feat or two. The only difference is that those characters will need to waste an extra feat for any weapon they want to gain Focus, and Specialization, and such in...

Okay, I am confused...
Why would they take Martial weapon (longbow)? It does *nothing* for them. They can use a longbow with NO penalty already.

How will they be wasting a feat to gain focus/spec?

The *only* change is that it will cost one more feat if they want to get weapon focus for *two* weapons.

Now: WF(scimitar) WS(scimitar) WF(longbow) WS (longbow); and can still use a longsword, glaive, flail, etc. with no penalty.

Proposed: WF(scimitar) WS (scimitar) MartialW(longbow) WF(longbow) WS(longbow); and can still use longsword, glaive, flail, etc. with no penalty.


I guess the question is, how often do you have fighters that take weapon focus/spec in more than one weapon?

 

[trentonjoe]

The *only* change is that it will cost one more feat if they want to get weapon focus for *two* weapons.

Okay, I get it now. The trade for the extra skill points is one feat (heavy armor) and the ability to get focus and specialization in another weapon.

I missed the no penalty party on other martial weapons.

I now think the fighter is getting to much for to little.

If a fighter wants more skill points have them take a 15 int and lower their 18 str.


I still don't like the idea. Generally, I believe, if you can solve a problem without changing a rule you shouldn't create a new one.