Karameikos and Beyond
Weapon Specialization
From Combat Options Release 1
Under this rule, the player of a Fighter may choose a weapon in which the character is especially skilled. At first level, the player applies one rank of specialization to the chosen weapon. This choice must be quite specific; for instance, a specialization in the longsword will give no bonuses when using a shortsword.
Every third level after first (that is, 4th, 7th, 10th, etc.) the player applies another rank of specialization. Each new rank may be applied to an existing specialization, or to a new specialization.
For instance, at first level Darion’s player assigns a rank to longsword. Darion gains a bonus of +1 on attack rolls when using a longsword. At 4th level, the player may assign the new rank to longsword, giving a bonus of +1 on attack rolls and +1 on damage; or, the rank may be applied to a new weapon, such as the longbow, in which case both weapons have +1 on attack rolls but no bonus to damage.
Combat Bonuses | ||
Rank | (Attack/Damage) | Attacks per Round |
1 | + 1/ + 0 | 1/1 |
2 | + 1/ + 1 | 1/1 |
3 | + 2/ + 1 | 3/2 |
4 | + 2/ + 2 | 3/2 |
5 | + 3/ + 2 | 2/1 |
6 | + 3/ +3 | 2/1 |
As indicated in the Attacks Per Round column, at higher ranks of specialization the Fighter is allowed to attack more than one time per round. 3/2 means that the character may attack three time in every two rounds, once in the odd-numbered round and twice in the even- numbered round. At 2/1 the Fighter is allowed to attack with the specialized weapon two times per round. Additional attacks always come after all other attacks are resolved; that is, the Fighter attacks once on his or her Initiative number, then again after all “first” attacks are done. If more than one weapon specialist is involved in a battle, count Initiative down twice, once for “first” attacks and again for “second” attacks.