Slight Variation on Ranger

[Draco Caeruleus]

Would there be any problem in allowing a ranger to use only one weapon to make two melee attacks with his powers (the ones that grant two attacks, that is), instead of using two melee weapons or a ranged weapon? Perhaps with the restriction of only being able to do so, so long as he is not carrying a shield? The ability to do this would replace archer fighting style and two-blade fighting style. Maybe it could be called whirling-blade fighting style, and it would also grant some feat. It seems fine to me, but I wanted to pass this by some other people in case I'm missing something.

I'm asking because I'm trying to implement a character concept I have. It's an Arabian-themed desert nomad type who dances around the battlefield with his scimitar. The ranger seems the best fit for what I have in mind, but the two-blade style doesn't quite fit.

 

[cferejohn]

Well if *I* was your DM, given that the change is for aesthetic reasons rather than trying to get yourself some kind of mechanical advantage, I would think it would be just fine. I guess you are getting off more cheaply in terms of equipment, but that seems pretty insignificant.

Your DMs mileage may vary.

 

[Siberys]

Yeah. The only change is the saved money. And you could just add "special: magical properties of your weapon do not add to the second attack, unless the weapon has the Dual Magic property. A weapon may be made Dual Magic by spending it's base cost in gold", or something similar to the end line of any such powers, thereby making you exactly like a normal ranger, but described with only one sword.

 

[Draco Caeruleus]

Ah, the cost of magic weapons. Thanks for pointing that out. It's worth considering the impact of that.

 

[generalhenry]

also the free hand for grappling