Does the elf's weapon proficiencies serve a purpose?

[Moon-Lancer]

personally I would like to see The proficiency give a +1 bonus on attack and damage if they also get the proficiency from a class as well. That way its useful even if your going to play a class that was going to get bows anyway.

I don't think elves get proficiency with swords anymore, just bows. But I suspect the eldren will get proficiency with swords.

You see, thier were two competing ideas of the elf.

One was a race of nature, swift and deadly. masters of the forest and trees

the other is one of deep hidden lore and are masters of arcane magic with great castles in the sky.

These ideas logically were split in two. I felt these two ideas competed even in 3.5. The only thing keeping them from getting a +2 to dex wis and int was because it wasn't balanced.

*edit*

I wonder if the proficiency is over written by the class proficiency if a +1 to hit and damage is really a good idea? They already get a +1 to hit and damage from dex. Maybe they should get a archery feat for free instead. I will have to see the rules to really make a good balanced alterantive to replace a useless race feature.

 

[SteveC]

One of the WotC folks commented that they were able to use a feat to make sneak attack usable with a rapier, so such a feat exists. Does it apply to a bow? Who knows, but it doesn't sound all that unbalancing to me.

--Steve

 

[Lurker59]

A warlock and wizard's at-will are mostly limited to 10 squares, with magic missile at 20, while a longbow is effective up to 40. In a open battlefield a longbow would provide a means of dealing an extra round (maybe two) of damage before the enemy closes in. Also an paragon path similar to the old arcane archer wouldn't require burning a feat for proficiency/multi-classing to use effectively.

 

[Ahglock]

Not everything is a racial description is there for balance reasons, some are there just because they fit the race. Weapon proficiencies may be just that, they don't help enough to be a balance issue, but they really fit the elven idea.

 

[FireLance]

One thing I was noting about the elven proficiencies, who actually would gain any benefit from them? The paladin and fighter already have martial proficiencies it would seem.

The warlord will likely have martial proficiencies as well.

Or maybe fighters, paladins and warlords will not automatically gain proficiency with the bow in 4e...

 

[Moon-Lancer]

Not everything is a racial description is there for balance reasons, some are there just because they fit the race. Weapon proficiencies may be just that, they don't help enough to be a balance issue, but they really fit the elven idea.

True, that is very possible. I would have to see 4e when its released to make that call though. so i guess its "wait and see".

Or maybe fighters, paladins and warlords will not automatically gain proficiency with the bow in 4e...

Are you just plucking my bow? In any event that would be sexy, and painful too... I guess i could see paladins and warlords but it seems unlikely that fighters would be without a bow.

 

[jtrowell]

It might be that no class get all martial weapon proficiencies for free, but just a few.

Something like this :
"Fighters : chose X weapons prof. from the simple/martial list"

And of course I expect additionnal proficiencies to be available as feats.

With such a system, the elf bonus would be a great advantage for a

 

[FireLance]

This is just guesswork on my part, but I expect that as Defenders, fighter and paladins may get proficiency with all simple weapons and melee and thrown martial weapons to emphasize their role as front-line fighters. This would give elven fighters and paladins a slight edge when they have to resort to ranged weapons.

 

[VannATLC]

Personally, I'm hopinh WoTC has done away with the horrible idea of making all weapons open to the Martial Weapon Proficiency.

Weapon categories from (I can't remember which 2e supplement it was) are a much better, more reasonable idea, IMO.

Learn how to use a short-sword? Then all light, broad-bladed, short-hafted swords are easy for you to use.
A Longsword? Long-hafts and long blades.

Bows?
Crossbows?
Polearms?
Axes?
Hammers?
Etc.

So, perhaps, the Elven proficiences are quite powerful? *shrug* I'd prefer it that way.

 

[Stalker0]

Personally, I'm hopinh WoTC has done away with the horrible idea of making all weapons open to the Martial Weapon Proficiency.

Weapon categories from (I can't remember which 2e supplement it was) are a much better, more reasonable idea, IMO.

Learn how to use a short-sword? Then all light, broad-bladed, short-hafted swords are easy for you to use.
A Longsword? Long-hafts and long blades.

Considering the rogue class frequently mentions "light blades" it is definitely possible that this is a weapon's group.