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| | ==Basic Weapon Rules== | | ==Basic Weapon Rules== |
| - | ===Standard Weapons===
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| - | Most weapons can be loosely placed into
| + | ===Weapon Characteristics=== |
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| - | ===Wielding a weapon===
| + | Each weapon has a number of basic characteristics, which determine how it works in game. These are as follows: |
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| - | The damage done by a weapon depends on its intended wield style and the size of its intended wielder. Each weapon also has a base size, which corresponds to the size of wielder who would use the weapon as a 'fighting' weapon. Note that the base size of a weapon is roughly two size categories larger than the weapon's actual size as an object.
| + | ====Wielder Size==== |
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| - | The wield styles are as follows:
| + | Each weapon is designed to be wielded by a particular size of wielder -- a character of a different size suffers a -2 penalty to attack and damage rolls for each size category of difference, if she can wield the weapon at all. |
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| - | * '''Reserve:''' A reserve weapon is about the smallest thing a character can wield with any success. A reserve weapon follows most of the same rules as a light weapon, but is generally easier to conceal. A reserve weapon has a base size two categories smaller than its intended wielder, and is always wielded one-handed.
| + | ====Adjusted Size==== |
| - | * '''Light:''' Light weapons are wielded in one hand. You may wield a light weapon two-handed, but you only gain +1 damage for doing so, regardless of your strength score. A light weapon has a base size one category smaller than its intended wielder.
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| - | * '''Fighting:''' A 'fighting' weapon is one-handed, but can be used two-handed if desired. When wielding a fighting weapon or a heavy weapon two-handed, you deal additional damage, either equal to half your strength bonus (for characters with strength 22 or greater), or +2 (for characters with strength 21 or less). A fighting weapon has a base size the same as its intended wielder.
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| - | * '''Heavy:''' A heavy weapon is usually wielded two-handed, but a character who meets certain requirements may wield it one handed. A character wielding a heavy weapon two-handed gains the same bonus damage as she would wielding a fighting weapon two-handed.
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| - | A character of a different size to the intended wielder of a weapon may still use the weapon, but suffers a non-proficiency penalty for doing so. You can determine how the character wields the weapon by comparing its base size with the size of the actual wielder.
| + | The Adjusted Size of the weapon is its approximate size relative to other weapons. This isn't listed on a weapon's profile, since it usually isn't needed -- the only times it is needed are when determining the damage done by a custom weapon, when determining how an inappropriately-sized wielder would wield the weapon, and when adjusting the damage of a weapon that has changed size due to a spell or other effect. |
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| - | ====Weapon Proficiency==== | + | ====Wield Style==== |
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| - | In order to use a weapon effectively, a character must meet a number of requirements. Typically, this means you must meet the weapon's listed familiarity requirements. Additionally, you must be the same size as the weapon's intended wielder, and you may in some cases have to meet a strength requirement.
| + | The Wield Style of a weapon determines how the character wields and carries the weapon. They are as follows: |
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| - | A character who does not meet all of the requirements for proficiency in a weapon suffers a -2 penalty to attack and damage rolls for each familiarity requirement she fails to meet, a -2 to attack rolls for each size category by which she fails to meet a size requirement, and a -1 to attack rolls for each point by which she fails to meet a strength requirement.
| + | *'''Reserve:''' |
| - | | + | *'''Light:''' |
| - | To wield a standard weapon, a character may need to be familiar with one of more of the following groups:
| + | *'''Normal:''' |
| - | | + | *'''Heavy:''' |
| - | *Axes and Picks
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| - | *Swords and Daggers
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| - | *Chains and Flails
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| - | *Hammers and Maces
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| - | *Spears and Staves
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| - | *Polearms
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| - | *Throwing weapons
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| - | *Projectile weapons
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| - | *Archery
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| - | Note that
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| - | ====Weapon Proficiency Feats====
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| - | * '''Martial Weapon Proficiency:''' This feat gives a character more options for wielding weapons in a particular group. | + | |
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| - | ===Explanation of Format===
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| - | Each weapon group lists the fundamental qualities it receives
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| - | ==Weapon Groups==
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| - | ===Axes and Picks===
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| - | Military versions of both axes and picks are not uncommon.
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| - | ====By Size====
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| - | ====Fundamentals====
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| - | Axes deal slashing damage, picks deal piercing damage.
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| - | Reserve axes may also be used as throwing weapons, and light axes may also be used as inferior throwing weapons. Reserve axes are considered inferior weapons in melee, and often consist of just a head. | + | |
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| - | ====Qualities====
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| - | *'''Spiked''': This weapon carries a spike at one end or the other, parallel to the haft, allowing it to also be used like a spear. Such a weapon may also be wielded as if it were a shortspear (or a longspear, if the weapon also has the polearm quality).
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| - | *'''Polearm''': A heavy weapon with this quality is mounted on a large haft of roughly eight or nine feet. In addition to being an axe or a pick, such a weapon is also considered a polearm and has reach.
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| - | *'''Throwing''': This quality may be applied to light or reserve axes. Applied to a light axe, it allows the weapon to be thrown as a typical throwing weapon. Applied to a reserve axe, it allows the weapon to be thrown as a Superior throwing weapon. | + | |
| - | ====Affinities====
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| - | *'''Rending''':
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| - | ===Swords and Daggers===
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| - | This weapon group covers weapons such as daggers, rapiers, and arming swords.
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| - | ====By size====
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| - | ====Features====
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| - | A light or reserve blade deals piercing or slashing damage.
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| - | A fighting or heavy blade deals slashing damage.
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| - | ====Optional Qualities====
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| - | *'''Polearm''': this weapon is mounted on a haft, and designed to be used against opponents out of the wielder's normal reach. It is treated as a polearm as well as a sword. | + | |
| - | *'''Swift Draw''': a character may draw a fast weapon as part of the same action used to attack with it. The katana is the archetypical example of such a weapon.
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| - | *'''Versatile''': (fighting, heavy) a versatile blade is a Superior weapon that can deal piercing, bludgeoning, or slashing damage. | + | |
| - | *'''Finesse''': (fighting, heavy) a finesse blade uses the wielder's dexterity modifier for attack rolls, instead of their strength.
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| - | *'''Precise''': A precise weapon scores a critical hit on a roll to hit of 19 or 20, not simply 20.
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| - | ====Optional Affinities====
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| - | *'''Rending''': A weapon with this affinity inflicts brutal wounds that are extremely difficult to treat.
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| - | *'''Defensive''':
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| - | ==Example Weapons==
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