Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ioreck 12-02-07, 02:58 AM	Hey all, I'm looking for a solid, combat-oriented PRC (official or homebrew) for a fighter character that is wielding a bastard sword, no shield. The idea is the classic "wandering warrior" type that Wizards has so neglected. The idea isn't for two-handed fighting, but a single handed fighting with a weapon such as a longsword. Think duelist/swashbuckler with a bigger sword and some actual armour. If noone can help me out, expect to see a new class on the boards within a few weeks lol Thanks :D
Xerj 12-02-07, 06:31 PM	Are you planning on also using a shield? Otherwise the fact that you're one-handing the sword is kinda going to waste. I believe there is a feat (not sure where it is, sorry) that gives some benefit for fighting solely with one hand and no shield.
bkdubs123 12-02-07, 07:16 PM	What kind of armor are you thinking of wearing? I can't really think of any classes (official or even homebrewed) that fit the description you want. WotC has grossly neglected One Sword/No offhand fighting styles tremendously (No its not a bad idea, no its not completely idiotic in real life, its a viable fighting style that I always use), and when its been addressed by homebrew material it is generally restricted to unarmored or at best lightly armored classes. I'd point you toward my Elegant Master PrC in my signature, but it is quite complex and may not fit your playing style although it can represent the wandering warrior archetype extremely well. Ugh! You know, I really wish I could be of more help here! Its my favorite style of fighting as well (though I lean more toward fencing styles) but since there is very little to represent the hand-and-half style of fighting (leave one hand open for balance, but also to switch to two-handed strikes for power) I just can't help you. If you'd like I could try and craft you a prestige class in a few minutes.
Ioreck 12-02-07, 08:39 PM	Hey, The idea is to not use a shield. So like a longsword/bastard sword/whatever, with the hand free. I know there's no benefit in the actual rules, which is why im asking around :P Atm, i'm looking at medium armor. The character wants to be able to move as freely as possibly without sacrificing physical protection. A nice breastplate would be ideal Elegant Master is very interesting, but not exactly what I'm aiming for, as you know. I also like you're art choice! Good ol' Jason Engle. I suppose I'll whip something up. This would be a good collaberation opportunity. A couple ideas: - The ability to switch from one-handed to two-handed as a free action - Greater Blow idea - deal 2x str damage two-handed, 1.5x one-handed - Field Maneuverability - may make an extra 5 foot step move as a swift action Suggestions and thoughts? edit- this dude is a good image of what i mean, sans orient flavour - http://www.jaestudio.com/Lion.jpg
Salla 12-02-07, 08:51 PM	How 'bout Warblade? Can use the Bastard Sword easily enough, Medium Armor Proficiency, Tumble as a class skill ... You could (although I'm not sure it's a great idea) take Two-Weapon Fighting and Improved Unarmed Strike, then I believe you could use Two Weapon Defense by counting your other hand (which, with IUS, counts as being armed) for a shield defense. Oh, the feat that helps with 'one-handed weapon no shield' is Einhander, in the PHB2. The Warblade is a fast way to it, as it requires +6 BAB and 6 ranks in Tumble.
bkdubs123 12-02-07, 09:57 PM	Warblade could be nice for a base class, but again it doesn't encourage a "Hand-and-Half" fighting style, because nothing does. You don't do anything with your off-hand in dnd unless its attacking or holding a shield. Abilities to consider: Power on Command: As long as you have a free hand (you are holding nothing in it, it is not restricted or bound) you can treat your one-handed weapon as though you are wielding it in two-hands whenever it would be beneficial to do so. Free-hand Tactics: Whenever a foe provokes an attack of opportunity from you, as long as you have a free hand (as above) you gain a +2 bonus to grapple attacks, and to bull rush, disarm and trip attempts made as part of that attack of opportunity. (You are free to grab or push an enemy, or to grab their weapon, or throw them to the ground when they open themselves up to it.) Free-hand Multitasking: As long as you have a free-hand, you can perform any action that would require a hand. If the action can be performed with one hand (such as grabbing something from your belt or backpack) this requires only a swift action. If the action generally requires two-hands (such as tying a knot, or manipulating a tool) this requires a move action. This ability allows you, for example, to perform slight of hand checks in the middle of battle, or to drink a potion while you attack a foe.
Ioreck 12-03-07, 12:52 AM	Definately like the free hand ideas. Other thoughts: Possibly two combat stances.... power and prowess? Power lets you treat it as if you're wielding a two-handed weapon (1.5x, eventually 2x strength damage), prowess grants you attack and ac bonus (+1/3 leves?). Can switch between the two as a swift action? Another thought - bonus feats from the fighter list? same deal as warblade (-2 class level + fighter level) Anyways, i'm thinking d10 HD, full bab, high fort save, 4 skill points, any other ideas?
Empirate 12-03-07, 06:15 PM	One hand / two hand question aside, the first PrC leaping to my mind when I saw "Bastard Sword" was Exotic Weapon Master (CW). It provides an excellent dipping opportunity and is easily available prerequisite-wise. The Uncanny Blow stunt (available at first level) allows you to use a one-handed exotic weapon like your Bastard Sword in two hands. When you do so, your Str modifier to damage increases to x2 instead of x1.5. Wouldn't this be exactly what you were looking for? Other exotic weapon stunts, most notably Trip Attack (allows, you guessed it, Trip Attacks with a weapon not normally designed for it), might be to your liking, as well. On the lone wanderer aspect I immediately thought Horizon Walker. Would fit flavor-wise, but the class's abilities are not about fighting. Full BAB, though, and with the right planar terrain choices you get Dimension Door at will. Also, the old 3.0 sourcebook Sword&Fist had the Ghostwalker. Kind of a Fistful of Dollars / The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly, Clint Eastwood-like character: Nobody knows you, and everybody is apprehensive of what you might turn out to do. You must remain anonymous to receive some bonuses. You are especially effective against foes that have wronged you in some way (like beaten you, then left you for dead). You receive some strange benefits as well as full BAB, like Etherealness and the ability to feign death.
Ioreck 12-03-07, 09:07 PM	Ok, the Ghostwalker is officially badass. Thinking about, maybe thre should be a one-handed fighting feat chain, and then a specialist class? like, we have two weapon fighting feats, and then the tempest.
bkdubs123 12-03-07, 11:30 PM	So... Power on Command Prerequisites: BAB +2, Str 13+ Benefit: As long as you have a free hand you may treat any one-handed weapon you wield as though it were two-handed whenever that would be beneficial to do so. Free Hand Tactics Prerequisites: Combat Reflexes, Power on Command Benefit: As long as you have a free hand, whenever a foe provokes an attack of opportunity you get a +2 bonus to any bull rush, disarm, grapple, or trip attempt you make as part of any attack of opportunity you make. Free Hand Multitasking Prerequisites: Dex 13+, Sleight of Hand 4 ranks, Power on Command, Free Hand Tactics Benefit: As long as you have a free hand, you can perform any action that would require a hand more skillfully than your peers. As a swift action you can perform any task you could normally perform as a standard action, so long as that action requires only one hand (certain skill checks, retrieving an item from a backpack, drinking a potion held in your off-hand, etc), and as a move action you can perform any task you could normally perform as a standard action, even if that action would normally require two-hands (manipulating tools, other skill checks, etc). And then abilities for the class (PrC) could be things that encourage mobility and balance and possibly even snatch arrows and improved grab. Tactics that take advantage of having an open hand are key here. Balance should definitely play a role here. Perhaps you can use Balance instead of Tumble to move through threatened squares.
Ioreck 12-04-07, 12:15 AM	Agreed. I think that the abilities Free Hand Tactics and Multitasking would make excellent class features, while Power on Command and the following would make good feats: Free Hand Fighting Prerequisites: Dex 13 Benefit: As long as you have a free hand, you receive a +1 bonus to attack rolls and a +1 shield bonus to AC. And then Improved, Greater versions. Good feat prereqs for such a class would include free hand fighting, combat expertise, and combat reflexes. possibly power on command, but thats already pushing the feat list. a good balance skill would be needed (7, 8, even 9 ranks), and probably BAB +5?
Maat_Mons 12-04-07, 08:48 AM	Free Hand Multitasking Prerequisites: Dex 13+, Sleight of Hand 4 ranks, Power on Command, Free Hand Tactics Benefit: As long as you have a free hand, you can perform any action that would require a hand more skillfully than your peers. As a swift action you can perform any task you could normally perform as a standard action, so long as that action requires only one hand (certain skill checks, retrieving an item from a backpack, drinking a potion held in your off-hand, etc), and as a move action you can perform any task you could normally perform as a standard action, even if that action would normally require two-hands (manipulating tools, other skill checks, etc). The first thing to notice is that casting spells requires a standard action and one hand. That makes this more or less a ridiculously good version of quicken spell. The second thing to notice is that making a melee attack requires a standard action and one or two hands. This would allow you to use a standard action to make a melee attack with one or two hands, use a move action to make a melee attack with two hands, and use a swift action to make a melee attack with one hand all in the same round at third level.
The_Shaman 12-04-07, 09:12 AM	Hey all, I'm looking for a solid, combat-oriented PRC (official or homebrew) for a fighter character that is wielding a bastard sword, no shield. The idea is the classic "wandering warrior" type that Wizards has so neglected. The idea isn't for two-handed fighting, but a single handed fighting with a weapon such as a longsword. Think duelist/swashbuckler with a bigger sword and some actual armour. If noone can help me out, expect to see a new class on the boards within a few weeks lol Thanks :D Generally, I'm thinking of the dervish, but it might not be as good for you as for THW or TWF warriors. You can use light armor, get some good mobility skills, as well as a decent boost to attack and damage when in a dance. The problem is, as others have said, that there aren't many feats or features to improve single-weapon fighting.
DensharrRagingfire 12-04-07, 12:12 PM	Could always go with the Ronin Prestige class from complete warrior. Decent abilities and you can do them all without any special bonus/ penalty for only using 1 hand
Ioreck 12-05-07, 07:17 PM	Hit Die: d10. Requirements To qualify to become an ______, the character must fulfill all the following criteria. Base Attack Bonus: +5 Feats: Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Free Hand Fighting, Free Hand Tactics Balance: 9 ranks Class Skills The _______'s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all) (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), and Swim (Str). Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier. __________ Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special 1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Switch Grip 2 +2 +3 +0 +0 Snatch Arrows 3 +3 +3 +1 +1 4 +4 +4 +1 +1 5 +5 +4 +1 +1 Mighty Blow 6 +6 +5 +2 +2 7 +7 +5 +2 +2 8 +8 +6 +2 +2 9 +9 +6 +3 +3 10 +10 +7 +3 +3 Switch Grip (Ex): As a free action, the ______ may switch his grip from one-handed to two-handed, or vice versa. This must be voiced before the attack roll is made. Note that while this will affect attack (one-handed) or damage (two-handed), the _____ retains does not lose any AC bonus granted from fighting one-handed. This may only be used as long as the _____ has a free hand. Snatch Arrows (Ex): At 2nd level, the ______ receives the Snatch Arrows feat for free. Mighty Blow (Ex): At 5th level, the _____ has mastered shifting his balance to make devastating attacks. When wielding a weapon one-handed, the ____ deals 1.5x STR modifier damage, instead of 1x STR bonus, and when wielding a weapon two-handed, the _____ deals 2x STR bonus, instead of 1.5x STR bonus. ------------------------------------- So there's something to look at while we ponder....