The Three Samurai - Part 1 - The Samurai Swordsman [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Three Samurai - Part 1 - The Samurai Swordsman [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
TwiddleStootch
03-21-07, 12:59 PM Ok, Ok!
I know what your thinking, "Didn't this guy already do a Samurai class?"
Well yes, I did, but I was still not satisfied so now I am creating a set of Prestige Samurai Classes.
As you can see by the title, this is only part 1. I am working on a set of three Samurai classes, one to cover each of the 'primary' weapons used by Samurai:
Swords, Spears and Bows.

To start, I will post the Swordsman.
Be nice, this is my first prestige class :D

The Samurai Swordsman

Hit Die
d10

Requirements:

Base Attack Bonus
+5

Alignment:
Any Lawful

Feats:
Weapon Focus with any Sword (see below), Quick Draw, Great Fortitude

Skills:
Intimidate 8 ranks, Ride 1 rank, Concentration 1 rank

Lvl BAB F R W Features
1 1 2 0 2 Sword Style - 1st Sword Style Technique - Armor Mastery (Medium) - Warrior’s Focus (+1)
2 2 3 0 3 Uncanny Dode
3 3 3 1 3 2nd Sword Style Technique - Warrior’s Focus (+2)
4 4 4 1 4 Quick Strike
5 5 4 1 4 3rd Sword Style Technique - Warrior’s Focus (+3)

Class Skills:
Intimidate, Diplomacy, Concentration, Craft, Profession, Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty), Climb, Jump, Swim, Tumble, Spot, Listen, Sense Motive.

Skill Points at each Level:
4 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency:
Samurai are proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with light and medium armor, but not with shields.

Swords:
For the purpose of this class and its requirements and abilities, a ‘Sword’ can be any of the following weapons:
Dagger, Short Sword, Longsword, Scimitar, Falchion, Greatsword and Bastard Sword.

Sword Style (Ex): At first level, a Samurai chooses his preferred Sword fighting style, and the abilities he gains as he increases in level depend on this fighting style. At levels 1, 3 and 5, the Samurai gains one of the three Sword Style Techniques for his chosen Sword Style. At 1st level ghe gains the 1st Sword Style Technique for his chosen style, and the 2nd at 3rd level and the 3rd Technique at 5th level.
See the description of each Sword Style for details on their Techniques.
All Sword Style Techniques are Extraordinary.

The traditionally Japanese names of the different swords are listed in parentheses during the sword style descriptions.

Armor Mastery (Ex):
With much training in the use of Medium armor, the samurai become more skilled in wearing it in battle. To represent this, a Samurai may ignore the speed penalty given by wearing medium armor. Speed penalties for medium or heavy loads still apply.

Warrior’s Focus (Ex):
The Samurai is a trained warrior, able to focus body and mind together to great effect in battle.
This bonus increases as the Samurai gains levels (+1 at 1st level, +2 at 3rd and +3 at 5th)
The Samurai adds his Warrior Focus Modifier to his Armor Class as a Dodge bonus that stacks with all others. These bonuses only apply when the Samurai is wearing Medium or lighter armor.
The Samurai's Warrior’s Focus modifier also represents great mental training, so he adds it to all Will saves against Fear and Mind Effecting affects and against Intimidate checks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sword Styles and Teechniques

Single-Blade:
The Single-Blade Sword Style involves fighting with a single Sword, usually holding it with both hands.
Most Samurai who choose this style favor the Bastard Sword (Katana).

All Abilities of the Single-Blade Sword Style can only be used when the Samurai is wielding a single one-handed sword and not wearing heavy armor or a shield.

Single-Blade Sword Style Techniques:

1st Single-Blade Sword Style Technique
Deadly Strike: When wielding a one-handed sword in both hands the Samurai may add double his Strength Bonus(STR bonus x 2) to his damage rolls, instead of the normal STR Bonus x 1-1/2.

2nd Single-Blade Sword Style Technique
Blurring Blade: When wielding a single one-handed sword and no other weapons and no shield, the Samurai may make a single extra melee attack during a full attack action. This attack is at the Samurai’s Full Base Attack bonus. The extra attack and all other attack the Samurai makes in that round take a -2 penalty to their attack rolls.

3rd Single-Blade Sword Style Technique
Lethal Precision: The Samurai has mastered the art of fighting with a single one-handed sword.
He gains bonus damage when striking an opponent who is vulnerable. When ever striking an opponent that is flat-footed or other wise denied its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class, the Samurai adds an extra 1d6 to his damage rolls. For all purposes, this bonus damage functions as a Rogue’s Sneak Attack.
Also, the Samurai gains the Improved Critical feat with his choice of any Sword he has Weapon Focus with.

Duel-Blades:
The Duel-Blades Sword Style involves fighting with one sword in each hand.
The most common weapon choices for this style are a Short Sword (wakizashi) and a Bastard Sword (Katana), although some fight with a Longsword and Short sword or a Scimitar and Short Sword or even a Bastard-Sword/Longsword/Scimitar and a Dagger (Tanto).

1st Duel-Blade Sword Style Technique:
Daisho Mastery: The Samurai is a Master of fighting with two swords. When wielding two Swords, the Samurai is treated as having the Two-Weapon Fighting, even if he does not meet the prerequisites.
If he does have the Two-Weapon Fighting feat, his penalty to attack rolls for both hands are reduced by 1.

2nd Duel-Blade Sword Style Technique:
Rapid Strike: When wielding two swords and taking a full attack action, the Samurai may make a single extra melee attack at his Full Base Attack Bonus. This attack and all others the Samurai makes in that round are at a -2 penalty.
The Samurai may make this extra attack with either of his Swords.

3rd Duel-Blade Sword Style Technique:
Daisho Defense: When wielding two swords, the Samurai may choose to take a special defensive action. When making a full attack with two swords, the Samurai may choose to forego any number of attack with his off-hand sword to gain a bonus to his defense.
If the Samurai gives up one attack, he adds a +2 shield bonus to his AC. For each additional attack he foregoes, the Samurai adds an additional +1 shield bonus to his AC.
Unlike in most cases, these bonuses stack with the shield bonus given for the Two-Weapon Defense feat (including its improved forms).

Great-Blade:
The Great-Blade Sword Style involves fighting with a single two-handed sword with which he has Weapon Focus.
The normal Sword of choice for this Sword Style is a Greatsword (Odachi), but many Samurai prefer the Falchion.

1st Great-Blade Sword Style Technique:
Knock-Back Swing: When ever a Samurai hits a single opponent twice in a row with a two-handed sword, he may immediately make a special Bull Rush attempt against that opponent. This Bull Rush attempt functions as a normal Bull Rush, except that the Samurai does not have to move into the opponents square and it does not provoke an attack of opportunity from the target, even if the Samurai does not have the Improved Bull Rush feat.

2nd Great-Blade Sword Style Technique:
Arc Swing: The Samurai can throw all his weight into one mighty swing, allowing him to strike a large are with one swing of his Great-Blade. As a Full-Attack action, a Samurai wielding a two-handed sword may forego all his normal attacks to instead make a single attack against each foe he threatens, to a maximum number of opponents equal to the Samurai’s normal number of attacks +2 (So a Samurai who could normally make two attacks during a Full Attack action may instead make one attack against up to 4 opponents). All of these attacks are at the Samurai’s Full Base Attack Bonus.

3rd Great-Blade Sword Style Technique:
Mighty Strikes: A Samurai wielding a two-handed Sword may attack with it as if he had the Power Attack feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. If the Samurai does have the Power Attack Feat, this ability increases its effectiveness: For each point of penalty the Samurai takes on his attack roll, he adds 3 to his damage roll, rather then the normal 2.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Uncanny Dodge (Ex): The Samurai has keen senses that allow him to avoid danger with great speed. At 2nd level the Samurai Swordsman gains the Uncanny Dodge ability. He retains his Dexterity bonus (and there for the Dodge bonus granted by Warrior’s Focus) to his Armor Class even when caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. He still loses these bonuses if immobilized. If the Samurai already has Uncanny Dodge, he gains Improved Uncanny Dodge instead.

Quick Strike (Ex): The Samurai is a master of drawing his blade(s) and striking in one, fluid motion.
When ever the Samurai attacks immediately after drawing his Sword(s) he strikes with incredibly speed, catching his opponent off guard. For the first attack the Samurai makes after Quick Drawing his Sword(s) his opponent is Flat-Footed to his attack.
If the Samurai with the Duel-Blades Sword Style Quick Draws both his swords and immediately makes a full attack, his opponent is flat-footed to the first attack he makes with each sword.
Since the Samurai is merely striking with great speed and not with particular accuracy, he does not add any Sneak Attack damage he may have to these attack. If he has the Lethal Precision ability (3rd Single-Blade Sword Technique) he adds that bonus damage to these attacks.

------------------------------

OK!
There we go, PEACH AWAY!

I think it is more or less balanced, but as I said, this is my first prestige class, so I can't be sure.

And a quick note on Bushido:
I have seen many debates on Codes of Conduct in DnD, for Samurai, Paladins and many other classes.
Due to the varying opinions on this topic, I have decided to omit any Rules for Bushido so that teh individual DMs and Players can work out how they wish it to work.

Thank you.
Daisuke
03-21-07, 04:58 PM I'm no expert but I think you've done a good job with this one. It isn't too front-loaded and it's best stuff comes at the end of it's progression, that's good. I'm also glad to see you weren't just lazy and decided to go the route of just giving it cheesy abilities like Ancestral Daisho and OA's overpowered (and really fanboyish) Iaijutsu Focus. Glad to see people are still interested in giving something good to my favorite class. Heaven knows WOTC certainly isn't. ;)
TwiddleStootch
03-21-07, 05:04 PM Thanks for the praise :D
and from a fellow Samurai fan no less!

Once I am sure this class is good, I'll post the 2nd one (Spearman), so keep an eye open for it in the next few days.
Ranger REG
03-21-07, 08:18 PM What's so fanboyish about Iaijutsu Focus? :uh-huh:
TwiddleStootch
03-23-07, 11:46 AM :bump:

Come on now people!
It can't be that bad :D
Daisuke
03-23-07, 05:03 PM What's so fanboyish about Iaijutsu Focus? :uh-huh:

The fact that if you know what you're doing a character specializing in it can kill just about anything with one blow.
Ranger REG
03-23-07, 06:20 PM The fact that if you know what you're doing a character specializing in it can kill just about anything with one blow.
*Shrugs*

Isn't that a good representation of iai-jutsu itself? ;)
Daisuke
03-23-07, 11:19 PM Perhaps but it eliminates the need for a party. That is contrary to the whole idea of getting together with friends to play.
Ranger REG
03-24-07, 04:27 AM Perhaps but it eliminates the need for a party. That is contrary to the whole idea of getting together with friends to play.
AFAIC, you can only do it once per encounter on the first attack. The concept that you could draw then sheathe, and then draw again to gain the benefit multiple times is ridiculous.
heretic888
03-24-07, 09:06 AM The fact that if you know what you're doing a character specializing in it can kill just about anything with one blow.

Excuse me, but.... what?!

The maximum damage bonus granted from the Iaijutsu Focus skill is +9d6 and you have to beat a DC of 50 to get that. Furthermore, the only condition in which the skill even works (barring campaign-specific "iaijutsu duels") is when you successfully hit a flat-footed opponent with a melee weapon while drawing said weapon.

So, what we have here is a damage bonus that is weaker than the rogue's sneak attack and even more circumstantial. I mean, really.
Daisuke
03-25-07, 06:53 AM Ok I admit that was a horrible exaggeration. But one thing that may not have crossed your mind is this: Not every samurai used a sword, so wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that not every samurai was a master of Iaijutsu?
heretic888
03-25-07, 08:34 AM Ok I admit that was a horrible exaggeration. But one thing that may not have crossed your mind is this: Not every samurai used a sword, so wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that not every samurai was a master of Iaijutsu?

I am well aware that not every samurai "used a sword". The sword itself did not become truly prominent in Japanese martial culture until the Edo Jidai.

But, the point is that there is no basis for concluding "every samurai was a master of Iaijutsu". It's not like anyone is forcing you to take ranks in the skill. It's a class skill that the OA Samurai and Sohei may choose to put skill points in at their discretion.
Ranger REG
03-25-07, 03:38 PM Ok I admit that was a horrible exaggeration. But one thing that may not have crossed your mind is this: Not every samurai used a sword, so wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that not every samurai was a master of Iaijutsu?
I didn't say having a skill rank in Iaijutsu Focus automatically means you're a master.

For that, you need the Iaijutsu Master PrC. :D
TwiddleStootch
03-30-07, 02:18 PM :bump:

Ok, one more bump, for the weekend.

Then I let the thread die.

I swear.

Really :P

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TwiddleStootch 03-21-07, 12:59 PM	Ok, Ok! I know what your thinking, "Didn't this guy already do a Samurai class?" Well yes, I did, but I was still not satisfied so now I am creating a set of Prestige Samurai Classes. As you can see by the title, this is only part 1. I am working on a set of three Samurai classes, one to cover each of the 'primary' weapons used by Samurai: Swords, Spears and Bows. To start, I will post the Swordsman. Be nice, this is my first prestige class :D The Samurai Swordsman Hit Die d10 Requirements: Base Attack Bonus +5 Alignment: Any Lawful Feats: Weapon Focus with any Sword (see below), Quick Draw, Great Fortitude Skills: Intimidate 8 ranks, Ride 1 rank, Concentration 1 rank Lvl BAB F R W Features 1 1 2 0 2 Sword Style - 1st Sword Style Technique - Armor Mastery (Medium) - Warrior’s Focus (+1) 2 2 3 0 3 Uncanny Dode 3 3 3 1 3 2nd Sword Style Technique - Warrior’s Focus (+2) 4 4 4 1 4 Quick Strike 5 5 4 1 4 3rd Sword Style Technique - Warrior’s Focus (+3) Class Skills: Intimidate, Diplomacy, Concentration, Craft, Profession, Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty), Climb, Jump, Swim, Tumble, Spot, Listen, Sense Motive. Skill Points at each Level: 4 + Int modifier. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Samurai are proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with light and medium armor, but not with shields. Swords: For the purpose of this class and its requirements and abilities, a ‘Sword’ can be any of the following weapons: Dagger, Short Sword, Longsword, Scimitar, Falchion, Greatsword and Bastard Sword. Sword Style (Ex): At first level, a Samurai chooses his preferred Sword fighting style, and the abilities he gains as he increases in level depend on this fighting style. At levels 1, 3 and 5, the Samurai gains one of the three Sword Style Techniques for his chosen Sword Style. At 1st level ghe gains the 1st Sword Style Technique for his chosen style, and the 2nd at 3rd level and the 3rd Technique at 5th level. See the description of each Sword Style for details on their Techniques. All Sword Style Techniques are Extraordinary. The traditionally Japanese names of the different swords are listed in parentheses during the sword style descriptions. Armor Mastery (Ex): With much training in the use of Medium armor, the samurai become more skilled in wearing it in battle. To represent this, a Samurai may ignore the speed penalty given by wearing medium armor. Speed penalties for medium or heavy loads still apply. Warrior’s Focus (Ex): The Samurai is a trained warrior, able to focus body and mind together to great effect in battle. This bonus increases as the Samurai gains levels (+1 at 1st level, +2 at 3rd and +3 at 5th) The Samurai adds his Warrior Focus Modifier to his Armor Class as a Dodge bonus that stacks with all others. These bonuses only apply when the Samurai is wearing Medium or lighter armor. The Samurai's Warrior’s Focus modifier also represents great mental training, so he adds it to all Will saves against Fear and Mind Effecting affects and against Intimidate checks. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sword Styles and Teechniques Single-Blade: The Single-Blade Sword Style involves fighting with a single Sword, usually holding it with both hands. Most Samurai who choose this style favor the Bastard Sword (Katana). All Abilities of the Single-Blade Sword Style can only be used when the Samurai is wielding a single one-handed sword and not wearing heavy armor or a shield. Single-Blade Sword Style Techniques: 1st Single-Blade Sword Style Technique Deadly Strike: When wielding a one-handed sword in both hands the Samurai may add double his Strength Bonus(STR bonus x 2) to his damage rolls, instead of the normal STR Bonus x 1-1/2. 2nd Single-Blade Sword Style Technique Blurring Blade: When wielding a single one-handed sword and no other weapons and no shield, the Samurai may make a single extra melee attack during a full attack action. This attack is at the Samurai’s Full Base Attack bonus. The extra attack and all other attack the Samurai makes in that round take a -2 penalty to their attack rolls. 3rd Single-Blade Sword Style Technique Lethal Precision: The Samurai has mastered the art of fighting with a single one-handed sword. He gains bonus damage when striking an opponent who is vulnerable. When ever striking an opponent that is flat-footed or other wise denied its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class, the Samurai adds an extra 1d6 to his damage rolls. For all purposes, this bonus damage functions as a Rogue’s Sneak Attack. Also, the Samurai gains the Improved Critical feat with his choice of any Sword he has Weapon Focus with. Duel-Blades: The Duel-Blades Sword Style involves fighting with one sword in each hand. The most common weapon choices for this style are a Short Sword (wakizashi) and a Bastard Sword (Katana), although some fight with a Longsword and Short sword or a Scimitar and Short Sword or even a Bastard-Sword/Longsword/Scimitar and a Dagger (Tanto). 1st Duel-Blade Sword Style Technique: Daisho Mastery: The Samurai is a Master of fighting with two swords. When wielding two Swords, the Samurai is treated as having the Two-Weapon Fighting, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. If he does have the Two-Weapon Fighting feat, his penalty to attack rolls for both hands are reduced by 1. 2nd Duel-Blade Sword Style Technique: Rapid Strike: When wielding two swords and taking a full attack action, the Samurai may make a single extra melee attack at his Full Base Attack Bonus. This attack and all others the Samurai makes in that round are at a -2 penalty. The Samurai may make this extra attack with either of his Swords. 3rd Duel-Blade Sword Style Technique: Daisho Defense: When wielding two swords, the Samurai may choose to take a special defensive action. When making a full attack with two swords, the Samurai may choose to forego any number of attack with his off-hand sword to gain a bonus to his defense. If the Samurai gives up one attack, he adds a +2 shield bonus to his AC. For each additional attack he foregoes, the Samurai adds an additional +1 shield bonus to his AC. Unlike in most cases, these bonuses stack with the shield bonus given for the Two-Weapon Defense feat (including its improved forms). Great-Blade: The Great-Blade Sword Style involves fighting with a single two-handed sword with which he has Weapon Focus. The normal Sword of choice for this Sword Style is a Greatsword (Odachi), but many Samurai prefer the Falchion. 1st Great-Blade Sword Style Technique: Knock-Back Swing: When ever a Samurai hits a single opponent twice in a row with a two-handed sword, he may immediately make a special Bull Rush attempt against that opponent. This Bull Rush attempt functions as a normal Bull Rush, except that the Samurai does not have to move into the opponents square and it does not provoke an attack of opportunity from the target, even if the Samurai does not have the Improved Bull Rush feat. 2nd Great-Blade Sword Style Technique: Arc Swing: The Samurai can throw all his weight into one mighty swing, allowing him to strike a large are with one swing of his Great-Blade. As a Full-Attack action, a Samurai wielding a two-handed sword may forego all his normal attacks to instead make a single attack against each foe he threatens, to a maximum number of opponents equal to the Samurai’s normal number of attacks +2 (So a Samurai who could normally make two attacks during a Full Attack action may instead make one attack against up to 4 opponents). All of these attacks are at the Samurai’s Full Base Attack Bonus. 3rd Great-Blade Sword Style Technique: Mighty Strikes: A Samurai wielding a two-handed Sword may attack with it as if he had the Power Attack feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. If the Samurai does have the Power Attack Feat, this ability increases its effectiveness: For each point of penalty the Samurai takes on his attack roll, he adds 3 to his damage roll, rather then the normal 2. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Uncanny Dodge (Ex): The Samurai has keen senses that allow him to avoid danger with great speed. At 2nd level the Samurai Swordsman gains the Uncanny Dodge ability. He retains his Dexterity bonus (and there for the Dodge bonus granted by Warrior’s Focus) to his Armor Class even when caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. He still loses these bonuses if immobilized. If the Samurai already has Uncanny Dodge, he gains Improved Uncanny Dodge instead. Quick Strike (Ex): The Samurai is a master of drawing his blade(s) and striking in one, fluid motion. When ever the Samurai attacks immediately after drawing his Sword(s) he strikes with incredibly speed, catching his opponent off guard. For the first attack the Samurai makes after Quick Drawing his Sword(s) his opponent is Flat-Footed to his attack. If the Samurai with the Duel-Blades Sword Style Quick Draws both his swords and immediately makes a full attack, his opponent is flat-footed to the first attack he makes with each sword. Since the Samurai is merely striking with great speed and not with particular accuracy, he does not add any Sneak Attack damage he may have to these attack. If he has the Lethal Precision ability (3rd Single-Blade Sword Technique) he adds that bonus damage to these attacks. ------------------------------ OK! There we go, PEACH AWAY! I think it is more or less balanced, but as I said, this is my first prestige class, so I can't be sure. And a quick note on Bushido: I have seen many debates on Codes of Conduct in DnD, for Samurai, Paladins and many other classes. Due to the varying opinions on this topic, I have decided to omit any Rules for Bushido so that teh individual DMs and Players can work out how they wish it to work. Thank you.
Daisuke 03-21-07, 04:58 PM	I'm no expert but I think you've done a good job with this one. It isn't too front-loaded and it's best stuff comes at the end of it's progression, that's good. I'm also glad to see you weren't just lazy and decided to go the route of just giving it cheesy abilities like Ancestral Daisho and OA's overpowered (and really fanboyish) Iaijutsu Focus. Glad to see people are still interested in giving something good to my favorite class. Heaven knows WOTC certainly isn't. ;)
TwiddleStootch 03-21-07, 05:04 PM	Thanks for the praise :D and from a fellow Samurai fan no less! Once I am sure this class is good, I'll post the 2nd one (Spearman), so keep an eye open for it in the next few days.
Ranger REG 03-21-07, 08:18 PM	What's so fanboyish about Iaijutsu Focus? :uh-huh:
TwiddleStootch 03-23-07, 11:46 AM	:bump: Come on now people! It can't be that bad :D
Daisuke 03-23-07, 05:03 PM	What's so fanboyish about Iaijutsu Focus? :uh-huh: The fact that if you know what you're doing a character specializing in it can kill just about anything with one blow.
Ranger REG 03-23-07, 06:20 PM	The fact that if you know what you're doing a character specializing in it can kill just about anything with one blow. Shrugs Isn't that a good representation of iai-jutsu itself? ;)
Daisuke 03-23-07, 11:19 PM	Perhaps but it eliminates the need for a party. That is contrary to the whole idea of getting together with friends to play.
Ranger REG 03-24-07, 04:27 AM	Perhaps but it eliminates the need for a party. That is contrary to the whole idea of getting together with friends to play. AFAIC, you can only do it once per encounter on the first attack. The concept that you could draw then sheathe, and then draw again to gain the benefit multiple times is ridiculous.
heretic888 03-24-07, 09:06 AM	The fact that if you know what you're doing a character specializing in it can kill just about anything with one blow. Excuse me, but.... what?! The maximum damage bonus granted from the Iaijutsu Focus skill is +9d6 and you have to beat a DC of 50 to get that. Furthermore, the only condition in which the skill even works (barring campaign-specific "iaijutsu duels") is when you successfully hit a flat-footed opponent with a melee weapon while drawing said weapon. So, what we have here is a damage bonus that is weaker than the rogue's sneak attack and even more circumstantial. I mean, really.
Daisuke 03-25-07, 06:53 AM	Ok I admit that was a horrible exaggeration. But one thing that may not have crossed your mind is this: Not every samurai used a sword, so wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that not every samurai was a master of Iaijutsu?
heretic888 03-25-07, 08:34 AM	Ok I admit that was a horrible exaggeration. But one thing that may not have crossed your mind is this: Not every samurai used a sword, so wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that not every samurai was a master of Iaijutsu? I am well aware that not every samurai "used a sword". The sword itself did not become truly prominent in Japanese martial culture until the Edo Jidai. But, the point is that there is no basis for concluding "every samurai was a master of Iaijutsu". It's not like anyone is forcing you to take ranks in the skill. It's a class skill that the OA Samurai and Sohei may choose to put skill points in at their discretion.
Ranger REG 03-25-07, 03:38 PM	Ok I admit that was a horrible exaggeration. But one thing that may not have crossed your mind is this: Not every samurai used a sword, so wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that not every samurai was a master of Iaijutsu? I didn't say having a skill rank in Iaijutsu Focus automatically means you're a master. For that, you need the Iaijutsu Master PrC. :D
TwiddleStootch 03-30-07, 02:18 PM	:bump: Ok, one more bump, for the weekend. Then I let the thread die. I swear. Really :P