Weapon Specialization and Weapon Groups

Although it is possible to become proficient in an entire group of weapons, this doesn't mean a character can specialize in an entire group of weapons.

As before, each weapon specialization costs one Weapon Proficiency Slot in a weapon the character is already proficient in. A character can't pay two points to be proficient in the Fencing Blades group and then another two to specialize in the same group: He'd have to take one-slot Specializations individually for Dagger/Dirk, Knife/Stiletto, Main-gauche, Rapier, and Sabre.

Let's say a character wants to know how to use every type of blade ever made . . . but he wants to be especially good with the Long Sword. As a first-level Warrior, he receives four Weapon Proficiency Slots to start with. He spends three to take Proficiency with the entire Blades broad group, and spends his fourth to specialize in Long Sword. He has his wish: He can pick up and use any blade weapon without penalty, but is particularly adept with the Long Sword.

Similarly, a character might wish to be proficient with all bows, and especially good with the Composite Long Bow. He spends two weapon proficiency slots to be proficient with the entire Bows tight group, and spends two more slots (because it is more difficult to specialize in bows; see the Player’s Handbook, page 52) to specialize in Composite Long Bow. This character is at a disadvantage with any sort of weapon other than bows, but can use all bows, and is especially good with the Composite Long Bow.

Note

That's all you need to know now about the use of Weapon Proficiencies . . . as they're used to buy proficiency and specialization with weapons. But there are more things to use these proficiencies on, as you'll see as you proceed through the chapter.

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