Does the elf's weapon proficiencies serve a purpose?

[Stalker0]

Just a disclaimer: In general, I'm in the "4e is good" camp. Further, I fully recognize that we have only received limited information. My opinion is based on that information, but I will change that opinion on a dime as new information is released. And...oh yeah, I don't play WOW.

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 ranger already has bow proficiencies.

The first thought is the rogue. A bonus to dex, and they don't get bow and blade proficiencies innately, seems like a match in heaven. However, since rogues can't sneak attack with bows or nonlight blades, again few rogues are going to use them.

Wizards and Warlocks? Both of them get at will magical abilities, as 4e has stated this classes are designed so that you'll never need a weapon.

The warlord will likely have martial proficiencies as well.

And it comes down to the cleric. The cleric probably only has "simple" proficiencies, and with the elf's bonus to wisdom, it looks like we may have a class that will actually get some use out of those proficiencies. But it does seem strange that one of the elves key racial abilities is almost completely lost in the shuffle.

 

[deathdonut]

I suspect we will see some feats that allow rogues to sneak attack with other weapons. If not, my campaign will house rule it.

Likewise, I know there has been reference to paragon paths that allow a wizard to use a weapon he is proficient with as a spell focus (and presumably more?).

Keep in mind that we're just seeing tidbits here.

 

[invokethehojo]

Confessions of a D&D racist

I used to steotype dwarve clerics, maybe in a few years it'll change to elven clerics.
I never liked em, elves in general I mean. They live forever (which I think would change everything), they can automatically use the cool weapons (which meant they were an automatic choice for wizards) and they don't even have to sleep! Hell, why not give em wings or gills... oh wait they did that too! They are better looking than everyone else, have a better culture, amke the best cookies, live longer and are more gifted with magic and sword/bow play... I'm surprised the games wasn't called "Elflings and tree houses"

I just hate elves, and I really hope 4e has made them less... better now.

 

[Lord Sessadore]

Well, it was mentioned on one of the developer's blogs somewhere about a paragon path (or was it a destiny?) that allowed a wizard (I believe) to use a sword as a magical implement. I can't remember whose blog it was, but the character was planning on taking that path to make use of the elf or eladrin weapon proficiency, I believe.

Edit: ninja'ed!

 

[drjones]

Based on very cloudy memory and no linkage:

In one of the blogs I read they discussed having a character who was a wizard and I believe an elf. Since he could use swords he took a feat to make his sword act as his wand for spell casting requirements without needing to take levels/feats to get the weapon proficiency.

So that might be a 'fluff' change if he does not swing his sword a lot but it is still a fun twist.

 

[Cadfan]

A weaponless spellcaster is probably SOL for attacks of opportunity, for benefiting from team abilities like those of the Warlord, etc. And heaven help you if your enemy is immune to your primary energy type.

A warlock might want to roll with a longsword in one hand, and a rod in the other. Why not?

 

[TheLordWinter]

While I admit what we've seen is pretty sparse so far, the Fighter seems to be a mostly melee class, same as the Paladin. Their ranged weapons seem to be limited to the throwing variety, ala throwing hammer and dagger. It might be the case that weapon training in the bow is no longer quite so across the board, and gaining access to it via the Elf racial weapon training feat could actually be worthwhile.

Plus could be handy for some of the later classes such as Bard or Barbarian who really need some alternative weapon's choices?

 

[Aust Diamondew]

I just hate elves, and I really hope 4e has made them less... better now.

I'm no big fan of elves myself, but didn't 3e already make elves worse? Out of the core 3e halfelves, elves and halforcs were the least played in my experience.

-2 constitution hurt and they didn't have any particuarly good racial abilities.
The weapon proficiencies were really only nice for casters at low levels.

I think breaking up the elves into eladrin and elves will help make their fluff less 'I'm better than everyone at everything'. I hope they make both races mechanically interesting also.

 

[Kwalish Kid]

I'm no big fan of elves myself, but didn't 3e already make elves worse? Out of the core 3e halfelves, elves and halforcs were the least played in my experience.

2nd Edition made elves worse! The elven cavalier was one of the craziest classes out there.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Here you go: Elves are Better