Alternate Knight's Code [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alternate Knight's Code [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
stargate525
11-12-06, 05:40 PM I'm currently playing a 5th level fighter, and am looking to move to something a bit more noble in nature. I'm looking at the Knight currently. The problem is that I'm less than thrilled at the code of valor written in the book, especially considering my character enjoys his flanking bonus.

I was wondering whether any of you could some up with an alternate set of rules for the knight's code, that are a bit less odd gamewise, but still hold the flavor?

Thanks in advance.
Kradlo
11-12-06, 06:16 PM Sorry, but that's the Knight's Code. You want the D12 hit dice and all those cool abilities, you take the Code.
Cifer
11-12-06, 06:22 PM Well... the fact that limitations limit your character is the whole point of them, sort of.

I have an elvish knight for the campaign setting Midnight, intended for an elves-only oneshot, for which I modified the code a bit in fluff and some mechanics. To be precise:
-Does not gain bonus from flanking: His fighting style (longspear+Spiked armor and longsword+buckler) was all about getting attention to himself so the orcs he would be facing would most certainly not be distracted from him, but from his buddies
-Does not strike flatfooted opponents: He was not that good with a bow (well, not as good as elvish snipers, anyway), so he didn't want to spoil ambushes by striking first, instead readying himself against the charges of the enemy
-Does not deal lethal damage against helpless foes: This one was partially waived. He didn't particularly enjoy butchering, but if noone else was available, he would most certainly kill enemies even if helpless. This was a war, after all.

Why don't you simply search for something else to provide you with your +2 bonus? You can still set up flanking for the rogue.
Millennium
11-12-06, 06:30 PM If you don't want to follow the code, don't be a knight. Honor is the price of power.
stargate525
11-12-06, 06:56 PM Sorry, but that's the Knight's Code. You want the D12 hit dice and all those cool abilities, you take the Code.

If you don't want to follow the code, don't be a knight. Honor is the price of power.

Perhaps I should have made myself clearer...

The only thing I don't currently like about the code is the leck of flanking bonus, which I see as somewhat ridiculous anyway. I'm looking for something else that would be just as, or maybe even more, restrictive while still keeping the flavor of the thing.
Saion2014
11-12-06, 07:28 PM Well, how about something like never fighting an outnumbered group; thus, you have no qualms about flanking somebody (if they're stupid enough to let you, then they deserve what happens:P ), but you won't help out until there's at least as many hostiles as friendlies.

Bear in mind, your party will hate your guts, especially if you're choosing not to help them, rather than asking them not to help you; the decision not to benefit from flanking is really a pretty solid roleplay hook, but for abilities about not taking advantage of your opponents, it's much more tame than other possibilities (such as the one that I'm suggesting).
PHGraves
11-13-06, 01:03 AM Perhaps I should have made myself clearer...

The only thing I don't currently like about the code is the leck of flanking bonus, which I see as somewhat ridiculous anyway. I'm looking for something else that would be just as, or maybe even more, restrictive while still keeping the flavor of the thing.Quite frankly, I like the current Knight code. If you were to get rid of the "no flanking" rule, you may as well chuck the whole thing out. The reasoning behind the no-flank is the same as the reasoning behind not attacking the flat-footed and not killing the helpless: you want your opponents to fall before you in a fair fight. It does not matter if they fight fair, only that you do.

Following the above flavour while removing the no-flanking rule is a bit counter-intuitive. If I am going to wait until my opponent is ready for the fight, why would I hit him when he is distracted by another combatant?

If you simply must find another code that could fit the idea of the Knight's abilities here is an idea:
A Knight will not fight using overwhelming odds: If, at the start of a combat, the opposing side has fewer total hit dice than yours, your combat choices are limited to either using the Total Defense or Aid Another maneuvers. If you aid another, you may only grant your ally a bonus to AC. If the opposing side's HD equal or surpass your side's HD once teh battle starts, from whatever means, you may fight as normal. This only applies to the starting HD totals. You suffer no penalties for reducing an opposing force's HD total below your side's.
A Knight will seek out worthy opponents: Unless there are no other opponents, you will ignore spellcasters and opponents with less than 1/2 your Knight levels in Hit Dice. If the path to a worthy opponent is blocked, you may attack those that bar your way, but must take a direct path to the worty opponent.
A Knight does not leave an opponent standing: You cannot change opponents until your current opponent yields, is killed, or is rendered unconscious.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
stargate525 11-12-06, 05:40 PM	I'm currently playing a 5th level fighter, and am looking to move to something a bit more noble in nature. I'm looking at the Knight currently. The problem is that I'm less than thrilled at the code of valor written in the book, especially considering my character enjoys his flanking bonus. I was wondering whether any of you could some up with an alternate set of rules for the knight's code, that are a bit less odd gamewise, but still hold the flavor? Thanks in advance.
Kradlo 11-12-06, 06:16 PM	Sorry, but that's the Knight's Code. You want the D12 hit dice and all those cool abilities, you take the Code.
Cifer 11-12-06, 06:22 PM	Well... the fact that limitations limit your character is the whole point of them, sort of. I have an elvish knight for the campaign setting Midnight, intended for an elves-only oneshot, for which I modified the code a bit in fluff and some mechanics. To be precise: -Does not gain bonus from flanking: His fighting style (longspear+Spiked armor and longsword+buckler) was all about getting attention to himself so the orcs he would be facing would most certainly not be distracted from him, but from his buddies -Does not strike flatfooted opponents: He was not that good with a bow (well, not as good as elvish snipers, anyway), so he didn't want to spoil ambushes by striking first, instead readying himself against the charges of the enemy -Does not deal lethal damage against helpless foes: This one was partially waived. He didn't particularly enjoy butchering, but if noone else was available, he would most certainly kill enemies even if helpless. This was a war, after all. Why don't you simply search for something else to provide you with your +2 bonus? You can still set up flanking for the rogue.
Millennium 11-12-06, 06:30 PM	If you don't want to follow the code, don't be a knight. Honor is the price of power.
stargate525 11-12-06, 06:56 PM	Sorry, but that's the Knight's Code. You want the D12 hit dice and all those cool abilities, you take the Code. If you don't want to follow the code, don't be a knight. Honor is the price of power. Perhaps I should have made myself clearer... The only thing I don't currently like about the code is the leck of flanking bonus, which I see as somewhat ridiculous anyway. I'm looking for something else that would be just as, or maybe even more, restrictive while still keeping the flavor of the thing.
Saion2014 11-12-06, 07:28 PM	Well, how about something like never fighting an outnumbered group; thus, you have no qualms about flanking somebody (if they're stupid enough to let you, then they deserve what happens:P ), but you won't help out until there's at least as many hostiles as friendlies. Bear in mind, your party will hate your guts, especially if you're choosing not to help them, rather than asking them not to help you; the decision not to benefit from flanking is really a pretty solid roleplay hook, but for abilities about not taking advantage of your opponents, it's much more tame than other possibilities (such as the one that I'm suggesting).
PHGraves 11-13-06, 01:03 AM	Perhaps I should have made myself clearer... The only thing I don't currently like about the code is the leck of flanking bonus, which I see as somewhat ridiculous anyway. I'm looking for something else that would be just as, or maybe even more, restrictive while still keeping the flavor of the thing.Quite frankly, I like the current Knight code. If you were to get rid of the "no flanking" rule, you may as well chuck the whole thing out. The reasoning behind the no-flank is the same as the reasoning behind not attacking the flat-footed and not killing the helpless: you want your opponents to fall before you in a fair fight. It does not matter if they fight fair, only that you do. Following the above flavour while removing the no-flanking rule is a bit counter-intuitive. If I am going to wait until my opponent is ready for the fight, why would I hit him when he is distracted by another combatant? If you simply must find another code that could fit the idea of the Knight's abilities here is an idea: A Knight will not fight using overwhelming odds: If, at the start of a combat, the opposing side has fewer total hit dice than yours, your combat choices are limited to either using the Total Defense or Aid Another maneuvers. If you aid another, you may only grant your ally a bonus to AC. If the opposing side's HD equal or surpass your side's HD once teh battle starts, from whatever means, you may fight as normal. This only applies to the starting HD totals. You suffer no penalties for reducing an opposing force's HD total below your side's. A Knight will seek out worthy opponents: Unless there are no other opponents, you will ignore spellcasters and opponents with less than 1/2 your Knight levels in Hit Dice. If the path to a worthy opponent is blocked, you may attack those that bar your way, but must take a direct path to the worty opponent. A Knight does not leave an opponent standing: You cannot change opponents until your current opponent yields, is killed, or is rendered unconscious.