Djinn_in_Tonic
2008-06-20, 08:40 PM
Recently I've been looking over the 3.5 and 4e rules, searching out things that I like and want to incorporate into my system, and I happened across the weapon section (surprise surprise...). This irritated me, as I remembered something that's always bugged me about D&D: Weapon choice isn't a choice.
Well, that's a lie. It is a choice, but some are just obviously better. Why, given two equally skilled opponents, does the one with the Longsword beat the one with the Quarterstaff most of the time? Both are equally good weapons in the right hands. Why isn't a fighter with a dagger as potent a force as one with a Greatsword? Again...a trained dagger expert is just as lethal as a trained Greatsword fighter.
So here's my suggestion...tell me what you think.
Weapon Mechanics:
Most of these aren't exactly worked out yet, but here's a general idea. There are three levels of proficiency with weapons: Non-Proficient, Skilled, and Mastery. All these determine is weapon damage and attack roll penalties/bonuses.
Non-Proficient: The weapon deals 1d8 points of damage, with a -1 to attack rolls.
Skilled: The weapon deals 1d10 points of damage, with a +0 to attack rolls.
Mastery: The weapon deals 1d12 points of damage, with a +1 to attack rolls.
Now that all weapons are an equal choice damage-wise for a character, what makes them different? Well, their abilities, of course!
What are abilities? They're at-will powers that can be used in place of a Basic Martial Attack (i.e. attack roll). Bear in mind that the terminology used is currently for the most recent revision of G6, and may not fit with standard terminology.
Attacks are in place of normal attacks, and Attack Augments are used as Swift actions. As other abilities will give additional Attack Augments, choosing which to use becomes strategically important.
Anyway, here are some samples. Opinions?
Duom
Description: This longspear looks like any other, except for the wicked blades mounted halfway down the shaft, ready to catch unwary foes.
Type: Exotic Piercing
Keywords: 2-handed, Heavy Spear
℗ Backlash (Attack Augment): When you successfully use Distant Strike or Sweeping Spear against an opponent 10ft away, you may make an additional basic Martial Attack against a single adjacent foe as an immediate action.
℗ Distant Strike (Attack): Make a single Basic Martial Attack against an opponent within 10ft.
℗ Sweeping Spear (Attack): Make a single Martial Attack roll against an opponent within 10ft. If successful, your deal your Strength modifier (minimum 1) in Martial damage and your opponent must make a Saving Throw (Ref vs. Str) or fall prone.
Quarterstaff
Description: This six foot length of white oak has been polished and well oiled, turning it from a simple piece of wood into a lethal weapon.
Type: Simple Bludgeoning
Keywords: 2-handed, Heavy Club
℗ Distant Strike (Attack): Make a single Basic Martial Attack against an opponent within 10ft.
℗ Doublestrike (Attack Augment): To use this ability you must first have made a successful Martial Attack roll. Deal your Strength modifier (minimum 1) in Martial damage to any single adjacent opponent, even the one previously attacked.
℗ Tap the Wrist (Attack): Make a single Martial Attack roll again an opponent within 10ft. If successful, deal your Strength modifier (minimum 1) in Martial damage and your opponent must make a Saving Throw (Dex vs. Str) or be disarmed.
Greatsword
Description: At almost four and a half feet long, this mighty blade is truly an imposing sight.
Type: Simple Slashing
Keywords: 2-handed, Heavy Blade
℗ Brutal Blow (Attack): Make a single Basic Martial Attack at a -2 penalty. If successful, you deal maximum damage.
℗ Cleave (Attack): Make a single Basic Martial Attack against an adjacent opponent. If successful, deal (1d4 + your Strength modifier) Martial damage to another adjacent opponent.
℗ Pommel Slam (Attack Augment): To use this ability you must first have made an unsuccessful Martial Attack roll against an adjacent opponent. Deal your Strength modifier in Martial damage to the opponent missed in this fashion.
Well, that's a lie. It is a choice, but some are just obviously better. Why, given two equally skilled opponents, does the one with the Longsword beat the one with the Quarterstaff most of the time? Both are equally good weapons in the right hands. Why isn't a fighter with a dagger as potent a force as one with a Greatsword? Again...a trained dagger expert is just as lethal as a trained Greatsword fighter.
So here's my suggestion...tell me what you think.
Weapon Mechanics:
Most of these aren't exactly worked out yet, but here's a general idea. There are three levels of proficiency with weapons: Non-Proficient, Skilled, and Mastery. All these determine is weapon damage and attack roll penalties/bonuses.
Non-Proficient: The weapon deals 1d8 points of damage, with a -1 to attack rolls.
Skilled: The weapon deals 1d10 points of damage, with a +0 to attack rolls.
Mastery: The weapon deals 1d12 points of damage, with a +1 to attack rolls.
Now that all weapons are an equal choice damage-wise for a character, what makes them different? Well, their abilities, of course!
What are abilities? They're at-will powers that can be used in place of a Basic Martial Attack (i.e. attack roll). Bear in mind that the terminology used is currently for the most recent revision of G6, and may not fit with standard terminology.
Attacks are in place of normal attacks, and Attack Augments are used as Swift actions. As other abilities will give additional Attack Augments, choosing which to use becomes strategically important.
Anyway, here are some samples. Opinions?
Duom
Description: This longspear looks like any other, except for the wicked blades mounted halfway down the shaft, ready to catch unwary foes.
Type: Exotic Piercing
Keywords: 2-handed, Heavy Spear
℗ Backlash (Attack Augment): When you successfully use Distant Strike or Sweeping Spear against an opponent 10ft away, you may make an additional basic Martial Attack against a single adjacent foe as an immediate action.
℗ Distant Strike (Attack): Make a single Basic Martial Attack against an opponent within 10ft.
℗ Sweeping Spear (Attack): Make a single Martial Attack roll against an opponent within 10ft. If successful, your deal your Strength modifier (minimum 1) in Martial damage and your opponent must make a Saving Throw (Ref vs. Str) or fall prone.
Quarterstaff
Description: This six foot length of white oak has been polished and well oiled, turning it from a simple piece of wood into a lethal weapon.
Type: Simple Bludgeoning
Keywords: 2-handed, Heavy Club
℗ Distant Strike (Attack): Make a single Basic Martial Attack against an opponent within 10ft.
℗ Doublestrike (Attack Augment): To use this ability you must first have made a successful Martial Attack roll. Deal your Strength modifier (minimum 1) in Martial damage to any single adjacent opponent, even the one previously attacked.
℗ Tap the Wrist (Attack): Make a single Martial Attack roll again an opponent within 10ft. If successful, deal your Strength modifier (minimum 1) in Martial damage and your opponent must make a Saving Throw (Dex vs. Str) or be disarmed.
Greatsword
Description: At almost four and a half feet long, this mighty blade is truly an imposing sight.
Type: Simple Slashing
Keywords: 2-handed, Heavy Blade
℗ Brutal Blow (Attack): Make a single Basic Martial Attack at a -2 penalty. If successful, you deal maximum damage.
℗ Cleave (Attack): Make a single Basic Martial Attack against an adjacent opponent. If successful, deal (1d4 + your Strength modifier) Martial damage to another adjacent opponent.
℗ Pommel Slam (Attack Augment): To use this ability you must first have made an unsuccessful Martial Attack roll against an adjacent opponent. Deal your Strength modifier in Martial damage to the opponent missed in this fashion.