CW Samurai Modifications

[Lord Morte]

The only problem I have with the Samurai base class is the focus on two-weapon fighting. It seems to me a good solution to this is give the Samurai combat styles, similiar to the Ranger's, so I've been trying to set some out. Feedback and suggestions?

The Samurai gets the first feat at 2nd level, the second at 11th (although I have an idea to drop it down to 9th) and the third at 16th. The creatures in ()brackets refer to the 3.0 Oriental Adventures/Legend of the Five Rings Samurai houses, which I've been using as something of a guide.

Samurai Combat Styles:
Two Swords as One (Dragon) – Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting.
Horse-lord (Unicorn) – Spirited Charge, Ride-By Attack, Trample.
Iaijutsu Master (Crane) – Quick Draw, Improved Initiative, Danger Sense [CAd].
Path of the Avalanche (Crab) – Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, Great Cleave.
Kyudo – Precise Shot, Far Shot, Improved Precise Shot. For those that don't know, Kyudo is the Japanese martial art of archery.
Master of Battle (Lion) – Combat Expertise, Expert Tactician [CAd], Combat Intuition [CAd]. Focus on tactics.
Weapon Mastery - Weapon Specialization, Greater Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Specialisation. Yes, I know that Specialization at 2nd level is powerful, any ideas on what to do instead?

These styles I'm having trouble with, as I can't think of a good feat for the third part.
Victory is Honour (Scorpion) – Mobility, Spring Attack, ???. Focus on mobility and dirty fighting.
Soul of Ice (Phoenix) – Iron Will, Force of Personality [CAd], ???. Focus on mental and spiritual training.

 

[Technik4]

Re: Weapon Mastery

I'm assuming they already get Weapon Focus? An idea I had a while back (for a Weapon Master/Master at Arms type PrC) was giving broad bonuses. Something like:
1 Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Weapon Focus with all Weapons you are Proficient, Weapon Specialization with all Weapons you are Proficient.

The balancing reasoning is that even with all those feats, you can still only use 1 or two weapons in a round. Additionally, most fighters (who the PrC was for) would have already taken those feats in a 'favored' weapon before they get the broad ability (and may have further specialized).

For Scorpion I would suggest a non-combat feat like Deceptive or perhaps something like Improved Feint.

For Phoenix I think Iron Will is good. Perhaps giving Energy (or elemental) resistance 5 and then raising it to 10? I remember the phoenix as the primary shugenja house, so I'm sure their samurai are more familiar with elemental hazards than other houses.


Overall, neat idea. I prefer classes with more options.

Technik

 

[Arkhandus]

Samurai Combat Styles:
Two Swords as One (Dragon) – Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting.

I'd make Two-Weapon Defense the second feat, and Improved Two-Weapon Fighting the third feat. At least if really using the Dragon Clan as a guide, since their Niten style emphasizes using a wakizashi for defense moreso than offense. I think I recall seeing an improved version of Two-Weapon Defense in Complete Warrior or something, but I don't remember specifically - if so, use that as the third feat in place of Improved Two-Weapon Fighting.

Horse-lord (Unicorn) – Spirited Charge, Ride-By Attack, Trample.

Ride-By Attack should probably come before Spirited Charge. Mounted Combat may be preferable at 1st-level anyway, as Unicorn Clansmen care for their horses' survival.

Iaijutsu Master (Crane) – Quick Draw, Improved Initiative, Danger Sense (CAd).

I would say, use Improved Feint in place of the second or third feat.

Weapon Mastery - Weapon Specialization, Greater Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Specialisation. Yes, I know that Specialization at 2nd level is powerful, any ideas on what to do instead?

I'd recommend changing it to Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Improved Critical, possibly using Greater Weapon Focus in place of Improved Critical.

Victory is Honour (Scorpion) – Mobility, Spring Attack, ???. Focus on mobility and dirty fighting.

Third feat, I would say, should be either Improved Feint or Improved Disarm.

Soul of Ice (Phoenix) – Iron Will, Force of Personality (CAd), ???. Focus on mental and spiritual training.

For this one, I'd say the third feat should be either Diehard or Blind-Fight.

 

[Lord Morte]

I'd make Two-Weapon Defense the second feat, and Improved Two-Weapon Fighting the third feat. At least if really using the Dragon Clan as a guide, since their Niten style emphasizes using a wakizashi for defense moreso than offense. I think I recall seeing an improved version of Two-Weapon Defense in Complete Warrior or something, but I don't remember specifically - if so, use that as the third feat in place of Improved Two-Weapon Fighting.

Hmmm... interesting idea. This style is meant to be the 'original' flavor, giving the same feats as the unmodified class, and only got assigned to the Dragon Clan because they're meant to be the two-sword style experts. But I do like your idea as it gives a very different feel to the style, so lets run with it

Ride-By Attack should probably come before Spirited Charge. Mounted Combat may be preferable at 1st-level anyway, as Unicorn Clansmen care for their horses' survival.

Both good points. Lets switch the first two around. Mounted Combat might be a good choice, but doesn't seem strong enough. May need more thought.

I would say, use Improved Feint in place of the second or third feat.

Having problems seeing this, so why?

I'd recommend changing it to Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Improved Critical, possibly using Greater Weapon Focus in place of Improved Critical.

I'll use Greater Weapon Focus. The idea of giving what is usually a Fighter only feat as a class feature strikes me as cool.

Third feat, I would say, should be either Improved Feint or Improved Disarm.

D'oh. Improved Feint is a good choice, and an obvious one when I think about it.

For this one, I'd say the third feat should be either Diehard or Blind-Fight.

Let's say Die-Hard. The capacity to remain standing while mortally wounded strikes me a particular useful piece of spiritual training.

So the revised combat styles are:
Niten style (Dragon) - Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Defense, Improved Two-Weapon Defense.
Horse-lord (Unicorn) – Spirited Charge, Ride-By Attack, Trample.
Weapon Mastery - Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Greater Weapon Focus.
Victory is Honour (Scorpion) – Mobility, Spring Attack, Improved Feint.
Soul of Ice (Phoenix) – Iron Will, Force of Personality [CAd], Die-Hard.

Thank you both for your feedback. Anymore thoughts from anyone?