Fighting Style Specialization Fighting styles represent broad categories of battle tactics that can be employed by characters. They are described in detail in the Combat and Tactics book. Even without that volume, however, players of the Skills and Powers rules can spend weapon proficiencies on fighting styles, gaining some bonuses in battle.

There is a difference between knowing a style and specializing in that style. Every character with a weapon proficiency knows at least one fighting style—the style used with that weapon. There is no cost to acquire the fighting style; it comes with the proficiency. Indeed, if a weapon can be used with two or more different styles, the character is assumed to know all of those styles. A long sword, for example, can be used with the one-handed weapon fighting style, the weapon and shield fighting style, or the two-handed weapon fighting style. Thus, a character with proficiency in the long sword knows all three of these fighting styles.

Character classes put some limitations on learning fighting styles. Table 52 shows the classes that can normally learn a specific style. While a rogue, for example, can use a long sword, he does not automatically learn the two-handed weapon style with this blade.

A character can spend an additional character point when he purchases a weapon proficiency to learn a style that is not normally provided to his character class. The rogue, for example, spends 3 character points for his long sword proficiency slot, but only learns it as a one-handed weapon. If he spends a 4th character point, he can learn the two-handed style or the weapon and shield style as well; or he can spend a total of 5 character points and learn the long sword and all three of its styles.

A character can spend a weapon proficiency slot to specialize in the use of one of these fighting styles, as long as he already knows that style. Warriors can specialize in as many styles as they wish to purchase. Priests and rogues can only specialize in one style. Wizards can specialize in a single fighting style, but only by paying an extra character point to acquire the weapon proficiency slot.

Each of the styles has specific benefits when acquired as a specialization. These are described below:

One-handed Weapon

The character can use his empty hand as a secondary weapon, using it to punch, grab, throw, etc. while he is wielding his one-handed weapon. Normal penalties for using two weapons apply.

A character who specializes in the one-handed weapon style of battle gains an AC bonus of +1 when he fights with a weapon in one hand, and no shield or weapon in his other hand. By spending 2 additional character points, the character can improve this AC bonus to a maximum of +2.

If the character is also familiar with the two-handed weapon style, and is wielding a weapon that can be used either way, he can switch back and forth at the start of every round of combat.

Weapon and Shield

A character who specializes in this style can gain a +1 benefit to his AC (in addition to his regular shield effects) or a +1 on his attack roll during any melee round when he holds a shield and wields a weapon. Alternately, this benefit can be superseded by the more detailed shield rules in the Combat and Tactics book.

Two-handed Weapon

A character who specializes in the two-handed weapon style improves (lowers) the speed factor of a weapon by 3—if that weapon is wielded with two hands. In addition, if the character is using a one-handed weapon with two hands, the weapon gains a +1 bonus to all damage rolls.

Two Weapon

The proficiency slot spent to specialize in this difficult style requires 1 additional character point when it is first acquired—except for rangers, who can buy it for the same cost as any other fighting style specialization.

A character who specializes in the two weapon style counters some of the penalties inherent in using two weapons. Normally, a character suffers a –2 to attacks with the primary hand, and –4 to attacks with the secondary hand; this specialization reduces the penalty to 0 for the primary hand, and –2 for the secondary hand. Additionally, if a character has the trait of ambidexterity coupled with this specialization, he suffers no penalty for either hand.

The secondary weapon must be one size smaller than the primary weapon—unless the primary weapon is size S. If a character spends 2 additional character points on this specialization, however, he can learn to use two weapons of equal size, so long as each of the weapons can be wielded in one hand.

Missile

A character who specializes in the missile fighting style gains a significant bonus. He can move up to half his normal movement rate and still make all of his allowed missile attacks during a turn. Or he can move his full movement rate and make half as many attacks.

Additionally, a character who has specialized in this fighting style gains a +1 bonus to his AC when attacked by missile fire, but only if the specialist character is also using a missile weapon and attacking on that round.

Horse Archery

A character who specializes in the horse archery fighting style can shoot with accuracy even while mounted. The normal penalties for shooting from the saddle are reduced by 2. Thus, archers suffer no penalty if the horse is moving at up to half its normal speed, and they suffer only a –2 penalty if the horse is moving faster.

Thrown Weapon

A character who specializes in this fighting style gains the same bonuses as a character who specializes in the missile fighting style.

Special

There are numerous types of fighting styles that originated and were perfected in different historical and geographical areas. A character can spend a proficiency slot to specialize in one of these types, though the DM is the final arbiter of what types of fighting styles might be allowed. Players are encouraged to do a little research before they try to build a case for a specific fighting style.

Some suggested benefits for the use of one of these styles include:

–1 bonus to Armor Class.

+1 bonus to hit or damage rolls.

The character can ignore penalties for fighting with two weapons.

The character gets a free kick or punch as well as his weapon attack.

Weapon Specialization and Mastery Gaining a weapon proficiency indicates that a character is trained in the use of that particular weapon, but he is not at the pinnacle of accomplishment. Fighters, and possibly other characters, can devote a great deal of effort and energy (reflected in character points) to improve their skills with a weapon beyond the standard of basic proficiency.

In the Skills and Powers rules, characters of all classes can improve their skills with weapons. The cost in character points is higher for non-fighter classes, but if a player wants his wizard character to emulate the wizard Gandalf and wield a mighty blade such as Orcrist, it is possible.

Ranks of Weapon Mastery

The rules of this section begin with the assumption that a character has already acquired a weapon proficiency.

Two additional levels of mastery (high mastery and grand mastery) might be available to single-classed fighters. These are described in the Combat and Tactics book.

Weapon of Choice

A character can designate a specific weapon as his favorite. He must be proficient with that weapon already, and even if the proficiency he possesses applies to an entire tight or broad group, the weapon of choice must be designated.

Characters of all classes can designate a weapon of choice. Warriors can do so for a cost of 2 character points, rogues and priests for 3 points, and wizards must spend 4 points.

A player can declare a weapon of choice when he first creates a character, or at any point thereafter—as long as he has the character points. They should receive some training or extensive practice from a warrior who is proficient in the same weapon and has a higher experience level than the trainee. Alternately, any character can train someone if he possesses a higher level of weapon mastery (weapon expertise or better) with that weapon.

A character receives a +1 bonus on all attack rolls when using his weapon of choice.

Weapon Expertise

Weapon expertise is a more limited version of weapon specialization. Unlike specialization, however, it is available to non-warriors. Before gaining weapon expertise, the character must be proficient in the use of the selected weapon. It may or may not already be the character’s weapon of choice (see above).

Weapon expertise costs a ranger, paladin, or multi-classed warrior 2 character points (or 1 if the weapon is already the character’s weapon of choice). Rogues and priests must spend 4 character points (or 3, if the weapon is already the weapon of choice). Wizards can purchase weapon expertise for a cost of 5 character points, though if the weapon is already the character’s weapon of choice the cost is only 4 additional points.

As with weapon of choice, a player can declare a weapon of expertise when he first creates a character, or at any point thereafter—as long as he has the character points. If the selection is made by an active character, he should receive extensive training from a warrior who is proficient in the same weapon and has a higher experience level than the trainee.

Weapon expertise allows a character to gain extra attacks as if a weapon specialist. At first level, an expert with a long sword can attack three times every two rounds. Weapon expertise does not confer extra attack or damage bonuses, though the character may receive an attack benefit if he has weapon expertise in the use of his weapon of choice, as explained above.

Weapon Specialization

A character receives extra bonuses for using a specific weapon by spending character points on specialization. Single-classed fighters can become weapon specialists at any point in their careers simply by spending a second weapon proficiency slot on a weapon with which they are already proficient.

Characters of a fighter subclass, or multi-classed fighters, can specialize in weapon use, though at an increased cost in character points. In addition, other characters must achieve certain minimum levels of experience before they can attain a weapon specialization. These costs, and the minimum experience level, are shown on Table 53: Gaining Weapon Specialization.

A character who receives a weapon specialization during a campaign must be trained by a character with a specialization (or higher) level of skill in that same weapon. The training requires a number of months equal to the character point cost to purchase the specialization, and this training is a full-time occupation.

The effects of weapon specialization vary by the type of weapon, as follows. If a specialist weapon (such as a spear) can be used as a melee or a missile weapon, the character gets the appropriate benefits for each type of use.

Melee Weapons: The character gets a +1 bonus to attack rolls and +2 to damage rolls when using the weapon. Also, the character gets one extra attack every two rounds. At first level, for example, a specialist with the long sword would be able to make three attacks every two rounds.

Missile Weapons: This category includes slings and thrown weapons. The character gains a +1 attack bonus at all range categories. In addition, specialists enjoy an increased number of missile attacks. This is detailed in the Player’s Handbook. At the DM’s option, players can elect to use the more detailed specialist attack rules in the Combat and Tactics book.

Also, a character who specializes in any type of bow or crossbow gains a benefit for a new range category: point blank. Point blank shots inflict +2 points of damage. Point blank ranges are 30' for bows, and 60' for crossbows. In addition, if the character has a missile loaded and aimed, he can shoot at the beginning of a melee round—even before initiative is determined.

Unarmed Combat Specialization

A character can choose to specialize in a type of unarmed combat—either punching (pummeling in the Combat and Tactics book), wrestling, or martial arts. Fighters, multi-classed fighters, and fighter subclasses can elect to specialize in unarmed combat. Like any other specialization, the type of unarmed combat chosen is the character’s only area of specialization—he cannot also specialize in a weapon.

Specialists in unarmed combat receive a +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 on damage rolls. In addition, they receive the same number of extra attacks any other specialist receives—typically one extra attack every two rounds.

Unarmed combat procedures, levels of skill, and specialization are covered to a much greater extent in Combat and Tactics. That book also introduces a fast, detailed system for martial arts combat.

Weapon Mastery

Weapon mastery designates those characters who strive toward the ultimate level of skill with their weapon of specialization. Weapon masters are generally individuals of considerable reputation and note in their campaign worlds, often sought by younger characters for their knowledge. Many of these masters take apprentices, acting as mentors for the training and development of aspiring masters. Other weapon masters live solitary, even hermit-like lives, obsessing on some important task that will allow no interference from the rest of the world.

The most common weapons employed by masters are swords, though bows, axes, and spears are also allowed. If a player wishes his character to master in a different weapon, he must create (with DM input) a rationale for a strong cultural or campaign historical background. An archetype such as William Tell, for example, can be used to justify a mastery in the crossbow in a medieval-type campaign. If the DM will not allow a weapon to be mastered, the player should be informed before the character specializes in that weapon.

A fighter character must have reached a minimum of 5th level before he can become a weapon master; other characters must progress even farther. The minimum level for weapon mastery in every character class is 4 higher than the minimum for specialization, shown on Table 54. A character must possess weapon specialization in the weapon he will attempt to master. When these criteria are met, character points must be spent based on the character’s class (see Table 54 below) to gain a mastery.

In addition, the character must find an existing master and be trained in weapon mastery. The master will often demand a significant payment for this training, or else require that the apprentice perform a quest or some other task before he will be accepted as a student. Training for weapon mastery requires twice as many months as training for weapon specialization (i.e. twice the character point costs to gain the mastery, shown on Table 54).

Effects of Mastery: A master’s attack and damage bonuses with a melee weapon are both +3. With a missile weapon, the attack bonus becomes a +2 at all ranges beyond point blank. At point blank range the attack and damage bonuses are each +3.

Table of Contents