Adding a weapon to an existing combat style
- Thread starter Philotomy
- Start date
Philotomy said:
I suppose I would consider whether the weapon fits into the theme of the weapon style and if it did allow it's inclusion after some training time and the cost of an experience tick. If the weapon didn't then disallow it.
For instance, if a character had the duellist style currently incorporating rapier, rapier and main gauche, rapier and cloak, rapier and buckler, etc. The player then wanted to add the claymore 2-handed sword, or morningstar to it, they would have to make a really good argument because the whole style of fighting would be different in my eyes. Adding a longsword into the mix is a lot more viable, because its still a blade that can be used for the 1-on-1 duelling style of fighting.
danskmacabre
Mongoose
If it sounded like it made sense, I would allow it.
I'd rule that the character would have to train with the new weapon for a couple of weeks to incorporate it into his existing style.
I'd rule that the character would have to train with the new weapon for a couple of weeks to incorporate it into his existing style.
Here's an example. Say the PC is a Dane and he has "Shield Wall Fighter" style that includes Shield with Spear or Axe at 95%. He wants to add Seax to his style. That strikes me as a very appropriate weapon to incorporate into the style, but its use would be very different from the other weapons in the style.
I'm reluctant to just have him spend an improvement roll (or a week of training) and suddenly have Seax at 95%, too. I'm thinking maybe I'll have him learn Seax just like normal (i.e. with two improvement rolls or a month of training giving him the base chance), and then when his Seax skill level reaches 95% he can incorporate it into his overall style and advance all those weapons together. Before that point he might have Shield Wall Fighter at 95% and Seax at 50%, for example.
That brings up the best way to handle it when he uses his new Seax skill (50%) with a shield. Does he parry with the shield at 95%? Average it (shield at 73% when used with the Seax)? Make it "Seax + Shield" instead of just "Seax," and parry with the shield at 50%?
I'm reluctant to just have him spend an improvement roll (or a week of training) and suddenly have Seax at 95%, too. I'm thinking maybe I'll have him learn Seax just like normal (i.e. with two improvement rolls or a month of training giving him the base chance), and then when his Seax skill level reaches 95% he can incorporate it into his overall style and advance all those weapons together. Before that point he might have Shield Wall Fighter at 95% and Seax at 50%, for example.
That brings up the best way to handle it when he uses his new Seax skill (50%) with a shield. Does he parry with the shield at 95%? Average it (shield at 73% when used with the Seax)? Make it "Seax + Shield" instead of just "Seax," and parry with the shield at 50%?
Rikki Tikki Traveller
Cosmic Mongoose
For your specific example, a shield, I would lean towards allowing him to use it at 95%. Only because it is a shield and from my experience, using a shield is using a shield, no matter what the weapon in your other hand (there are limits of course).
This would also fit with the idea of adding the new weapon to an existing style. He can use the Seax at 50% and the Shield at 95%, which gives him some advantage from the older style.
I think it makes a nice compromise between making it a new style completely (Shield at 50%) giving him no credit for his previous experience with a shield and just letting him use the Seax without any (or minimal) additional training.
I don't think you can make a hard-and-fast rule here. Each weapon will have to be considered within the campaign setting and the existing styles the player already has.
This would also fit with the idea of adding the new weapon to an existing style. He can use the Seax at 50% and the Shield at 95%, which gives him some advantage from the older style.
I think it makes a nice compromise between making it a new style completely (Shield at 50%) giving him no credit for his previous experience with a shield and just letting him use the Seax without any (or minimal) additional training.
I don't think you can make a hard-and-fast rule here. Each weapon will have to be considered within the campaign setting and the existing styles the player already has.
If you have them work Seax up to 95% before they can merge it with their style, which is already at 95%, then how many improvement rolls have they wasted?
I would instead have them use an improvement roll thusly:
If the new weapon being added makes sense (read is okay with the GM), the player spends and Improvement roll and tests their overall style.
Success - add the new weapon with no increase in the style
Fail - add 1% to the style but do not add the new weapon
Before this can be done the player must have spent at least one improvement roll to learn the new weapons use in the first place.
Thoughts?
I would instead have them use an improvement roll thusly:
If the new weapon being added makes sense (read is okay with the GM), the player spends and Improvement roll and tests their overall style.
Success - add the new weapon with no increase in the style
Fail - add 1% to the style but do not add the new weapon
Before this can be done the player must have spent at least one improvement roll to learn the new weapons use in the first place.
Thoughts?
