d20 Modern to Low-Magic Fantasy question.

[Maethras]

Like a few people, I'm toying with using the d20 Modern rules for medieval-themed, low-magic fantasy campaigns. I tend to keep my changes pretty small, and allow for as much cross-compatibility (for my personal comfort) as possible.

I mentioned this in another thread. Weapon proficiencies. In d20 Modern there are Simple Weapons (one automatic feat), Archaic Weapons (Martial weapons, one feat), Firearms and exotic weapons.

Anyway. This translates to there being no, say.. Monk's weapons.. rogue's weapons, etc. You either know all of the simple and martial weapons (As a fighter would) by spending a feat, or all the simple weapons (free). The only ones left in the open are the Exotic weapons.

Not *really* flavorful. But I'm not sure what to do about it. I've only come up, so far, with one possible idea. "Martial Weapon Proficiency [General]" could replace Archaic Weapon Proficiency, and will apply to proficiency with 1 (Maybe more?) archaic/martial weapon. However, in addition there could be an additional feat called, oh.. "Martial Training [Initial]" available at 1st level as a standard feat and in certain starting occupations (Or possibly *only* in certain starting occupations). This'd give you the proficiency with all martial weapons.

This still doesn't do a whole heck of a lot, though. I dunno if anyone who *wanted* a Martial weapon wouldn't just take the feat at 1st, or simply forget about it altogether rather than taking the reduced version.

Anyway. Anyone else got any suggestions or input on this?

 

[takyris]

Depends on how low-magic you want to get, and how combat-involved you want to get.

You COULD have the following:

Proficiency:Simple Weapons

Proficiency:Swordlike weapons (Martial)
- Longsword
- Shortsword
- Rapier
- Scimitar
Proficiency:Flexible weapons (Martial)
- Flail (Light and Heavy)
- Whip
- Chain
Proficiency:Crushing weapons (Martial)
- Battle Axe
- Great Axe
- Hand Axe / Throwing Axe
Proficiency:Reach and spearlike weapons (Martial)
- All spears
- All polearms

That wouldn't go quite all the way back to the 2E "You have to be proficient in each and every weapon" system, but it'd set up a system that let you customize your character. A knight would go for spearlike weapons and either swordlike or crushing weapons. An infantry soldier would go for spearlike and nothing else. A highwayman might go for the flexible weapons.

This system would let you add in some exotic weapons under these categories (like the chain and whip as flexible).

 

[Maethras]

Depends on how low-magic you want to get, and how combat-involved you want to get.

You COULD have the following:

Proficiency:Simple Weapons

Proficiency:Swordlike weapons (Martial)
- Longsword
- Shortsword
- Rapier
- Scimitar
Proficiency:Flexible weapons (Martial)
- Flail (Light and Heavy)
- Whip
- Chain
Proficiency:Crushing weapons (Martial)
- Battle Axe
- Great Axe
- Hand Axe / Throwing Axe
Proficiency:Reach and spearlike weapons (Martial)
- All spears
- All polearms

That wouldn't go quite all the way back to the 2E "You have to be proficient in each and every weapon" system, but it'd set up a system that let you customize your character. A knight would go for spearlike weapons and either swordlike or crushing weapons. An infantry soldier would go for spearlike and nothing else. A highwayman might go for the flexible weapons.

This system would let you add in some exotic weapons under these categories (like the chain and whip as flexible).

Yeah, I was thinking about something like that. On the other hand, I don't know if I want people to have to blow through *too* many feats to get a couple signature weapons (especially if they're warriors). Between armor and weapons you'd end up sucking up multitudes of levels worth of feats, without spending any on anything else. My idea doesn't do much better at that, either, but does at least let the warriors have a selection, and non-dedicated warriors pick up a weapon or two they'd like to use.