The DD Weapon-Master (Player Class)

[waysoftheearth]

Following a lengthy discussion concerning weapon specialization over on Dragonsfoot, I decided to have a go at it myself.

I ended up packing a bunch of "specialist" benefits into a pure weapon specialist class for DD: The Maestro. It's a bit like a Kensai/Jedi/Grasshopper's Master all rolled into one.

Anyway, see here for the details. Comments welcome of course


p.s. I'm not 100% content with the name Maestro. I'll was going with Master, then Virtuoso, then Maestro. Now I'm just undecided What do you think?

[ravenheart87]

I would call him Armsmaster. Maestro and Virtuoso reminds me of a musician, not a warrior.

[scottenkainen]

I used to treat weapon specialization as attacking as if one level higher with your chosen weapon.

I wonder if you're not closer to creating a good swashbuckler class with this maestro...

~Scott "-enkainen" Casper

[bestialwarlust]

Interesting. So how does this work "ignoring counter-strikes and disarmament) and can counter-strike against same-sized weapons when parrying melee attacks."

Going by your post I would assume you could focus in unarmed combat instead of just a weapon.

[Azafuse]

I'd call him Weaponator.

Talking seriously, playing on the monastic/philosophical nature, I'd call him Ardent or Zealot.

[waysoftheearth]

Thanks for the comments on the class name all.

On reflection, I think "Master" (as in "teacher") is probably the best option. Of course, a character doesn't formally achieve Master status until name level.

Apr 20, 2014 7:35:03 GMT -6 scottenkainen said:

I wonder if you're not closer to creating a good swashbuckler class with this maestro...

That's interesting; perhaps some of the mechanical advantages would be a good fit. But for me a swashbuckler is more a rogue and less a scholar--he's more about charisma and less about wisdom. The way I see it a swashbuckler is opportunistic rather than dedicated. He isn't all about the one weapon. And his AC should somehow be derived from the flair of his mustache

Apr 20, 2014 10:36:40 GMT -6 bestialwarlust said:

So how does this work "ignoring counter-strikes and disarmament) and can counter-strike against same-sized weapons when parrying melee attacks."

Going by your post I would assume you could focus in unarmed combat instead of just a weapon.

The first part is related to the parrying rule (which appears in Ref Rules V3 and is a simplification of the man-to-man parry rule; you can preview it here).

I guess the unarmed option might be plausible, but the unarmed Master wouldn't get the AC benefit associated with having an enchanted weapon. Also, the overbearing rules (again in Ref Rules V3 and derived from the FAQ) inform us that an unarmed man has to first make a successful attack roll in order to then be able to attack an armed opponent. So I think it would be a hard road, unless new rules were devised for an unarmed fighting class.

[bestialwarlust]

Thanks I didn't realize this had been added in there.