Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="GMforPowergamers" data-source="post: 8630775" data-attributes="member: 67338">in 2e there were cool little work arounds (but barring additional books base PHB DID say fighter only spec) 2e also had (in non core TSR suppliants) weapon mastery (bring the +1/+2 up to +3/+3) at the cost of a 3rd slot, weapon High mastery (a bonus to your reaction when useing that weapon, and gave you yet more attacks) at the cost of a 4th slot and weapon GRAND mastery (increase damage die by 1 code) at a 5th slot but they had level prereqs too and THOSE were 100% fighter only... and any of the combat classes (fighter/ranger/paladin if you used the book Barbarian and the weird chronomancer fighter thing) could take DEATH BLOW for 2 NON weapon profs (I think you had to be 9th level) where you roll to hit a target as your only attack that round, if you hit they make a save (I think vs death magic not 100% sure) or die... but it didn't work if they were at full hp or if your weapon could not hurt them... some creatures (lich, vampire ect) only drop to 0 (I know we did that for PCs too, but that might have been a house rule)a 12th level human fighter with a 16str (no bonus to hit but +1 damage) in 2e could not only be a force to be reckoned with BUT could make a caster FEAR him getting close (not that they didn't have win buttons and defenses... stone skin drove my players nuts).a long sword fighter at level 12 with 16 str  had a 9 thac0 with even just a +1 long sword that would be adjusted to a 5 with bonuses... so could hit a -10 (theoretical max) with a 15 and hit a -12 (reserved for gods and super dragons) on a 17, would only crit on a 20 though make 3 attacks (and I think it was with a bonus 2 from high mastery to initiative) and deal 1d10+5 or 1d20+5 per attack... in a game that 100hp was godly at 20th level... or he could have that above death blow.give him a better weapon or str or just more magic items and he could be deadly to even a dragon</blockquote>

Verification