I've always been kind of underwhelmed by the fighting style benefits. Other than the first point of 1 handed and 2 handed weapon and the mandatory 2 points in two weapon fighting, they don't really seem to add a lot. In my opinion some of the bonuses that you get for putting points into specific weapons should be tied to fighting styles instead. After all, I would think years of experience fighting with a longsword would help somewhat when it comes the time to wield a scimitar or even a warhammer every once in a while.
With this in mind and with the intent of buffing single weapon fightning (which is actually one of the most realistic and widely used fighting styles) I started wondering what kind of bonuses I would give each style. A few disclaimers first:
- I haven't created a mod for these changes, I don't have the first clue about modding. This is purely an academic exercise intended to get some discussion on fighting styles.
- These changes would be pretty overpowered by themselves - if implemented, they should go hand in hand with some nerfs to the proficiencies for specific weapons (the most immediate target would be removing the +1/2 attack that is obtained through specialization in any weapon.
For ease of use, the bonuses I list for each proficiency point are cumulative with the bonuses for previous points.
Single Weapon (DEX based)
This style of fighting favors the agile warriors, allowing them to dance around their opponent making quick and accurate attacks.
One point (12 DEX required): +1 AC, +2 THACO
Two points (16 DEX required): Doubles DEX based AC, + 1/2 attack, Critical hit on 19 & 20
Comment: I like the idea of this style of fighting being very beneficial to high DEX classes, giving them as much armor as equipping a shield would.
Two Weapon Fighting (DEX based)
This offensive style is reserved for the most gifted warriors. Requiring great coordination as well as adequate strength the two weapon fighter will unleash a barrage of attacks on his enemy.
One point (12 DEX, 10 STR required): same as current bonus.
Two points (14 DEX, 10 STR required): same as current bonus, +1 AC (increased parry chance).
Three points (16 DEX, 10 STR required): same as current bonus, +1/2 attack.
Comment: I think this style is pretty well implemented as is - I just added the extra half attack to compensate for the lost specialization points. I also like the idea of requiring high DEX to master wielding two weapons - a low DEX warrior should not be able to do this at the highest level.
Sword and Shield (STR based)
Though shields only require some strength to be equipped, correctly using it requires advanced training. The knowledge of how to stop or otherwise minimize incoming blows makes the shield user a valuable member to any party.
One point (12 STR required): +1 AC, +2 AC vs missiles, 5% damage reduction
Two points (15 STR required): +1 AC, +2 AC vs missiles, 5% damage reduction, +1/2 attack.
Comment: It always bothered me that shield specialization does pretty much nil. Increased AC and damage reduction fit the theme of the protector and keeping your offense up (the extra 1/2 attack) while wielding a giant tower shield should require some training and strength.
Two handed weapons (STR based)
Reserved for the strongest, most physical warriors, two handed fighting can be the most devastating style. Wielding some of the most fierce weapons in all of Faerun the trained two handed fighter can deliver extraordinarily hard blows to any opponent.
One point (13 STR required): +2 THACO, -2 speed factor
Two points (16 STR required): double STR bonus damage, -2 speed factor, critical hit on 19 & 20, +1/2 attack
Comment: This is the other style that always bothered me. Two handed weapons are severely underwhelming - their damage range hardly justifies using them over any other combination of single handed weapons. This should be the most damaging style along with two weapon fighting, and it should be reserved for the strongest fighters.
What would be your take on fighting styles? Do you think the bonuses of the standard implementation are close to the advantages of each style in real life?
With this in mind and with the intent of buffing single weapon fightning (which is actually one of the most realistic and widely used fighting styles) I started wondering what kind of bonuses I would give each style. A few disclaimers first:
- I haven't created a mod for these changes, I don't have the first clue about modding. This is purely an academic exercise intended to get some discussion on fighting styles.
- These changes would be pretty overpowered by themselves - if implemented, they should go hand in hand with some nerfs to the proficiencies for specific weapons (the most immediate target would be removing the +1/2 attack that is obtained through specialization in any weapon.
For ease of use, the bonuses I list for each proficiency point are cumulative with the bonuses for previous points.
Single Weapon (DEX based)
This style of fighting favors the agile warriors, allowing them to dance around their opponent making quick and accurate attacks.
One point (12 DEX required): +1 AC, +2 THACO
Two points (16 DEX required): Doubles DEX based AC, + 1/2 attack, Critical hit on 19 & 20
Comment: I like the idea of this style of fighting being very beneficial to high DEX classes, giving them as much armor as equipping a shield would.
Two Weapon Fighting (DEX based)
This offensive style is reserved for the most gifted warriors. Requiring great coordination as well as adequate strength the two weapon fighter will unleash a barrage of attacks on his enemy.
One point (12 DEX, 10 STR required): same as current bonus.
Two points (14 DEX, 10 STR required): same as current bonus, +1 AC (increased parry chance).
Three points (16 DEX, 10 STR required): same as current bonus, +1/2 attack.
Comment: I think this style is pretty well implemented as is - I just added the extra half attack to compensate for the lost specialization points. I also like the idea of requiring high DEX to master wielding two weapons - a low DEX warrior should not be able to do this at the highest level.
Sword and Shield (STR based)
Though shields only require some strength to be equipped, correctly using it requires advanced training. The knowledge of how to stop or otherwise minimize incoming blows makes the shield user a valuable member to any party.
One point (12 STR required): +1 AC, +2 AC vs missiles, 5% damage reduction
Two points (15 STR required): +1 AC, +2 AC vs missiles, 5% damage reduction, +1/2 attack.
Comment: It always bothered me that shield specialization does pretty much nil. Increased AC and damage reduction fit the theme of the protector and keeping your offense up (the extra 1/2 attack) while wielding a giant tower shield should require some training and strength.
Two handed weapons (STR based)
Reserved for the strongest, most physical warriors, two handed fighting can be the most devastating style. Wielding some of the most fierce weapons in all of Faerun the trained two handed fighter can deliver extraordinarily hard blows to any opponent.
One point (13 STR required): +2 THACO, -2 speed factor
Two points (16 STR required): double STR bonus damage, -2 speed factor, critical hit on 19 & 20, +1/2 attack
Comment: This is the other style that always bothered me. Two handed weapons are severely underwhelming - their damage range hardly justifies using them over any other combination of single handed weapons. This should be the most damaging style along with two weapon fighting, and it should be reserved for the strongest fighters.
What would be your take on fighting styles? Do you think the bonuses of the standard implementation are close to the advantages of each style in real life?