Supplement Four
Mongoose
Here's something I'd like to see changed about the Conan RPG (and something I miss about the AD&D game): Weapon Proficiency.
I understand that the game should be fairly lenient on what weapons a character can use proficiently to fit the universe (and realism--AD&D is a bit tough and unrealistic in this area) But, I also think that the Conan game is a bit too lenient.
I also think that weapon choice should be a function of race as well as class.
For example, a 1st level Cimmerian Barbarian probably shouldn't start the game knowing how to use crossbows. And, I think only Simple bows should be allowed at that level (Martial bows would incur the -4 attack penalty if used).
A line like this could easily be added to the Races chapter of the game where the racial benefits are listed. It might read something like this: Favored Weapons - All Simple weapons except the Yuetshi Knife and all Martial Weapons except the Ghanata Knife, Poniard, Short Sword, Cutlass, Zhaibar Knife, any type of Lance, Bardiche, Bill, Pike, Pollaxe, or any type of Martial ranged weapon.
Favored weapons would be those that can be chosen, as 1st level, as a proficient weapon. A 1st level character could not start the game being proficient with a non-favored weapon (unless allowed by the GM, of course).
Then, I think the number of weapons allowed a character should be limited. Don't give the character the entire selection of weapons to choose from--let him pick from the list.
This should be a function of class and level (as well as race, but that's taken care of above).
Thus, maybe characters can only be proficient with a number of weapons equal to their level in each category. Thus, a player for a 1st level Soldier character would pick one Martial Weapon and one Simple weapon with which to be proficient.
If that seems a bit strict, then allow them to pick additional weapons equal to their INT modifier (thus, Soldiers with INT 12 or 13 coule pick one additonal weapon from either the Simple or Martial category).
If that still seems a bit strict, then give each character a minimum. A 1st level Thief classed characters might get a minimum of one Simple and one Martial weapon, regardless of their INT penalty. A 1st level Scholar would get a single Simple weapon to choose from (plus his INT bonus). A Soldier might get a minimum of 3 Martial Weapons and 2 Simple weapons, plus any INT bonus.
And, the Versitility ability that he Cimmerians get would double this number.
When a character levels, he gets to pick one new weapon proficiency from each of the allowed categories. So, by 2nd level, a Soldier could pick 4 Martial weapons and 3 Simple weapons, plus INT bonus, while a Barbarian would pick 4 Martial weapons and 4 Simple weapons plus any INT bonus.
If you multiclass, you gain the most advantageous proficiency option.
Some GMs hooked on realism may not allow new proficiencies unless the character uses and trains with the new weapons.
At 2nd level and beyond, the character can choose to spend two proficiency slots to be able to use non-favored weapons (thus, a character can get to them by spending two slots--like a cross class skill--or by multiclassing and making the weapon a favored weapon of his new class).
These numbers that I've been spouting off here are just what's rolling off my fingers as I type. They'd have to be reviewed, with a lot more thought put behind the numbers, should a system like this blossom.
What I like about the idea, though, is that it limits the character's choices of weapon more than the vanilla game while still provinding a decent sized selection that expands as the character gets more experienced.
Thoughts?
I'm thinking a system like this, worked out well, might make a damn good S&P article.
I understand that the game should be fairly lenient on what weapons a character can use proficiently to fit the universe (and realism--AD&D is a bit tough and unrealistic in this area) But, I also think that the Conan game is a bit too lenient.
I also think that weapon choice should be a function of race as well as class.
For example, a 1st level Cimmerian Barbarian probably shouldn't start the game knowing how to use crossbows. And, I think only Simple bows should be allowed at that level (Martial bows would incur the -4 attack penalty if used).
A line like this could easily be added to the Races chapter of the game where the racial benefits are listed. It might read something like this: Favored Weapons - All Simple weapons except the Yuetshi Knife and all Martial Weapons except the Ghanata Knife, Poniard, Short Sword, Cutlass, Zhaibar Knife, any type of Lance, Bardiche, Bill, Pike, Pollaxe, or any type of Martial ranged weapon.
Favored weapons would be those that can be chosen, as 1st level, as a proficient weapon. A 1st level character could not start the game being proficient with a non-favored weapon (unless allowed by the GM, of course).
Then, I think the number of weapons allowed a character should be limited. Don't give the character the entire selection of weapons to choose from--let him pick from the list.
This should be a function of class and level (as well as race, but that's taken care of above).
Thus, maybe characters can only be proficient with a number of weapons equal to their level in each category. Thus, a player for a 1st level Soldier character would pick one Martial Weapon and one Simple weapon with which to be proficient.
If that seems a bit strict, then allow them to pick additional weapons equal to their INT modifier (thus, Soldiers with INT 12 or 13 coule pick one additonal weapon from either the Simple or Martial category).
If that still seems a bit strict, then give each character a minimum. A 1st level Thief classed characters might get a minimum of one Simple and one Martial weapon, regardless of their INT penalty. A 1st level Scholar would get a single Simple weapon to choose from (plus his INT bonus). A Soldier might get a minimum of 3 Martial Weapons and 2 Simple weapons, plus any INT bonus.
And, the Versitility ability that he Cimmerians get would double this number.
When a character levels, he gets to pick one new weapon proficiency from each of the allowed categories. So, by 2nd level, a Soldier could pick 4 Martial weapons and 3 Simple weapons, plus INT bonus, while a Barbarian would pick 4 Martial weapons and 4 Simple weapons plus any INT bonus.
If you multiclass, you gain the most advantageous proficiency option.
Some GMs hooked on realism may not allow new proficiencies unless the character uses and trains with the new weapons.
At 2nd level and beyond, the character can choose to spend two proficiency slots to be able to use non-favored weapons (thus, a character can get to them by spending two slots--like a cross class skill--or by multiclassing and making the weapon a favored weapon of his new class).
These numbers that I've been spouting off here are just what's rolling off my fingers as I type. They'd have to be reviewed, with a lot more thought put behind the numbers, should a system like this blossom.
What I like about the idea, though, is that it limits the character's choices of weapon more than the vanilla game while still provinding a decent sized selection that expands as the character gets more experienced.
Thoughts?
I'm thinking a system like this, worked out well, might make a damn good S&P article.
