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Orzel
2010-06-02, 06:00 AM
So a powerful spellcaster decided to shapechange himself into so fearsome monster. He thinks because he is thrice your size, has razor-sharp fangs, and can lift a house; he can easily squish you. But you didn't get hit in the back by your trainer for making mistake for year so he can just beat you. He's a wizard, he may be big but he still can't fight. You can.

D&D 3.5 makes natural talent and acquired talent equal. If you have a +5 bonus it rarely matter where it came form. This is even more true in weapons combat. Sure a high base attack grants bonus attack but that can be easily copied supernaturally.

But imagine if weapons combat were more like a fighting video game. Even a joke character can wallop an overpowered one if one player knows the system better. Or a short skilled player beating a big guy in basketball. Knowing the system better can be a big help.

So how would represent one warrior being more skilled than another?

Element of Battle (EX)
At the first level, a fighter chooses his main approach to combat versus out matched opponents. Choose Fire (Damage), Water (Versatility), Air (Avoidance), Lighning (Speed), Earth (Defense), or Metal (Accuracy). Once per day as a free action, she may add a bonus to her damage roll equal to her fighter level against any character who do not have this class feature.

Fires of Fury (EX)
At the 3rd level, a barbarian learns some of the hidden element of battle. She is treated as if she had the fighter's Element of Battle class feature.

Hunter's Combat (EX)
At the 2nd level, a ranger learns some of the hidden element of battle. She is treated as if she had the fighter's Element of Battle class feature.

Divine Skill (EX)
At the 4th level, a paladin learns some of the hidden element of battle. She is treated as if she had the fighter's Element of Battle class feature.


Then

Art of Fighting:(EX)
At the 3rd level, the fighter truly conquers the less skilled. Her skill is be greater against those with weaker combat knowledge.

One a turn, as a free action, she can make any number of creatures she can see make a Will save. The DC of the effect is equal to 10 + 1/2 your fighter level + your base attack bonus + your Str modifier. Creature with thee Element of Battle feature may add their base attack bonus to the saving throw.

Creatures who fail this save see you in a different way as you become faster, stronger and overall more difficult to fight. When fighting you, the creature treats you as if you were enhanced by a spell based on your Element of Battle. This affect lasts for 10 minutes. As this is not a spell, this effect cannot be dispelled.

The spell-like effect is treated as if the caster level is equal to your fighter level except for duration. If any effect of the spell would by ended prematurely normally, if does so here. Creatures can only be affected by a particular fighter's Art of Battle once per 10 minutes. At the 7th level, 11th, and 15h level; additional spell effects are gained.

Metal
3rd: True Stike
7th: Stone Skin
11tth: True Seeing
15th: Iron Body

Air
3rd: Blur
7th: Haste
11th: Mislead
15th: Mind blank

Ouranos
2010-06-02, 11:10 AM
Complicated. Definately needs polish. But good idea.Something to make the melee characters much better. But instead of them gaining it at differant levels, perhaps increase the bonuses at differant staggers? Fighter gets +1 every level or perhaps +1 at the same rate as fighter feats. Barbarian get them perhaps every 3 levels, paladin ever 4, same for ranger. Would make fighter the clear king of FIGHTING, with the barbarian similar but like their fluff not as skilled and precise as the fighter, wild. Paladin and ranger still strong but not the combat juggernauts fighters should be.

Orzel
2010-06-03, 05:01 AM
It's mostly just an idea so it's pretty rugged still.

Which one would you think is better for Art of Fighting:
Will save + BAB vs Saving throw + BAB

Or

Sense Motive + BAB vs Bluff + BAB