Post/Author/DateTime	Post
legowarrior 04-10-06, 07:42 AM	(Looking for a good image here) After hearing all the debates, I've come up with a fast and loose change to the samurai that could make some people happy. Here are the changes that I present. In order to aviod any copyright issues, I'm just going to stick to what has been changed. Signiture Weapon - At 1st Level, the Champion, besides its proficiency with all Simple and Martial Weapons, and all Armor, gains proficiency in two exotic Weapons. These weapons will be referred to as his signiture weapons, and all abilities that used to be based upon the use of Daisho Proficiency, will now be based on the Champions Signiture weapons instead. Armor of Strength (Su) - This is an Added ability. Whenever the Champion uses intimidate skill to demoralize an enemy successfully, he may add his charisma bonus to his AC against all melee attacks till the end of the round. Note, at 10th Level, Mass Staredown, only one enemy needs be intimidated to be considered successful. (this is to make Intimidate a more worth while skill by the way). Aura of Law (Su) - Much like a Paladin, the Champion cannot hide his lawfulness. This ability works exactly like the Paladins, but only Law is seen, despite any other alignments that the Champion may have. Combat Prowess - At 2nd level, again at 11th Level, and at 16th Level, the Champion chooses one of the following combat feat trains. The Champion does not need to meet the requirements to recieve these feats, but only gains the benefits of these feats when wielding one or more of the Signiture whens. Two Weapon Fighting (Exactly like Samurai) At 2 Level gain Two Weapon Fighting with Signiture Weapons. 11th Level gain Improved Two Weapon Fighting with Signiture Weapons. At 16th Level gain Greater Two Weapon Fighting with Signiture Weapons. Charging Champion MH At 2nd Level gain Powerful Charge with Signiture Weapons. At 11th Level gain Greater Powerful Chargewith Signiture Weapons At 16th Level gain Reckless Charge with Signiture Weapons. Dodge At 2nd Level gain Mobility while using signiture Weapons At 11th Level gain Spring Attack while using Signiture Weapons At 16th Level gain Whirl Wind attack while using Signiture Weapons Powerattack 2nd Level - Power Attack 11th Level - Improved Bull Rush 16th Level - Knock Back (RoS) Combat Expert At 2nd Level Gain Combat Expertise while using Signiture Weapon At 11th Level, Gain Improved Combat Expertise while using Signiture Weapon At 16th Level gain Combat Intuition while using Signiture Weapon Combat Reflexes 2nd Level - Combat Reflexes 11th Level - Deft Opportunities (MH) 16th Level - Side Step (MH) If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to bring them up. If you have ideas for combat styles, feel free as well. I don't think the ones I've made are that great, so if you have better ones, tell me.
jaelis 04-10-06, 08:08 AM	I'd say the staredown stuff is already the samurai's strongest ability; adding the AC bonus might be over the top. You might at least make the AC bonus apply only to the intimidated creatures. (Or more simply, give them a penalty on attacks equal to the samurai's charisma bonus.) The other feat chains seem weak to me. Power attack is OK, but, for for the dodge sequence, I'd think the samurai would already have taken Spring Attack much earlier. And dodge and mobility are not so great themselves. With the expertise line, again I think if you wanted Improved Disarm you'd have taken it before 16th level.
legowarrior 04-10-06, 08:12 AM	Good points. I'll work on that.
Nephlite 04-10-06, 10:41 AM	(Looking for a good image here) Signiture Weapon - At 1st Level, the Champion, besides its proficiency with all Simple and Martial Weapons, and all Armor, gains proficiency in two exotic Weapons. These weapons will be referred to as his signiture weapons, and all abilities that used to be based upon the use of Daisho Proficiency, will now be based on the Champions Signiture weapons instead. Too good. You give out to free Proificiencies. Samurai Only gives out one the Katana: A Katana is just a special bastardsword that is naturally masterwork. A Watizshi is just a special short sword that is natrally masterwork. You should give out 1 exotic and let them choose two weapons they are proficient with to be signature weapons. Do they get these feats even if not meet requirements? That is an important distinction.
legowarrior 04-10-06, 11:42 AM	Much like the the original samurai, the feats given can be taken without requirements, but only work if you are using the signiture weapons. Its true that the original samurai recieved only one Exotic Weapon, but I don't think its that over powered to recieve two. At first level, a fighter recieves a free feat in any fighter tree, and all shields over the samurai. The samurai gains an exotic Weapon which is good, but the verstility of any feat makes the Fighter free feat better. The samurai has also the restriction of being Lawful (Just RPing) and can't multiclass out without recieving a hit. Therefore, I have found that two Exotic Weapons is fair. Also note that given the returns, the second exotic weapon is far less useful then the first. This isn't my final verdict on whether two weapons exotic weapons should be given though, I still haven't decided, but I feel I should say why I gave two weapons before deciding to remove it.