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Icelander · 08-17-2010, 08:47 PM

Ever felt that the weapon tables in Martial Arts and the Basic Set are missing vital steps in the stat progression that are just different enough from the weapons that are there to make it a new weapon?*

Ever felt that some of the stats for some swords were just a little off to make them balanced/fun/useful?

*But far too similar to justify including them in an official supplement aimed at the general roleplayer market, most of whom tend want to use 'a sword', 'an axe', or perhaps at the very most, 'a katana'.

Look no further.

New or Modified Swords

Code:

TL		Weapon	Damage	Reach	Parry	Cost	Weight	ST	Notes
	BROADSWORD (DX-5, Force Sword-4, Rapier-4, Saber-4, Shortsword-2, or Two-Handed Sword-4)
3	Heavy Broadsword	sw+2 cut	1	0U	$800	6	12
	or	thr+2 imp	1	0	–	–	12
3	Large Clipped Falchion	sw+2 cut	1	0U	$500	4.5	11
	or	thr imp	1	0	–	–	11
3	Large Falchion	sw+2 cut	1	0U	$700	4.5	11
	or	thr+1 imp	1	0	–	–	11
3	Great Clipped Falchion	sw+2 cut	1	0U	$600	6	12
	or	thr imp	1	0	–	–	12
3	Great Falchion	sw+2 cut	1	0U	$700	6	12
	or	thr+1 imp	1	0	–	–	12
4	Cut-and-Thrust Sword	sw cut	1	0	$700	3	10
	or	thr+1 imp	1	0	–	–	10

	KNIFE (DX-4, Force Sword-3, Main-Gauche-3, or Shortsword-3)
2	Kukri	sw-1 cut	C, 1	0	$50	1.5	7	[1]
	or	thr-1 imp	C	0	–	–	7	[2]

	MAIN-GAUCHE (DX-5, Jitte/Sai 4, Knife 4, Rapier 3, Saber 3, or Smallsword 3)	
4	Main-Gauche	sw-3 cut	C, 1	0F	$50	1.25	6	[3,5]
	or	thr imp	C, 1	0F	–	–	6	[4]

	RAPIER (DX-5, Broadsword-4, Main-Gauche-3, Saber-3, or Smallsword-3)
4	Cut-and-Thrust Sword	sw cut	1	0F	$700	3	10
	or	thr+1 imp	1	0F	–	–	10

	SABER (DX-5, Broadsword-4, Main-Gauche-3, Rapier-3, Shortsword-4, or Smallsword-3)
4	Dueling Saber	sw cut	1	0F	$800	2.5	9
	or	thr+1 imp	1	0F	–	–	9

	SHORTSWORD (DX-5, Broadsword-2, Force Sword-4, Jitte/Sai-3, Knife-4, Saber-4, Smallsword-4, or Tonfa-3)
2	Clipped Falchion	sw+1 cut	1	0	$300	3	10
	or	thr-1 imp	1	0	–	–	10
2	Falchion	sw+1 cut	1	0	$400	3	10
	or	thr imp	1	0	–	–	10
2	Shortsword	sw cut	1	0	$400	2	8
	or	thr+1 imp	1	0	–	–	8
2	Small Clipped Falchion	sw cut	1	0	$200	2	8
	or	thr-2 imp	1	0	–	–	8
2	Small Falchion	sw cut	1	0	$300	2	8
	or	thr-1 imp	1	0	–	–	8

	SMALLSWORD (DX-5, Main-Gauche-3, Rapier-3, Saber-3, or Shortsword-4)
4	Edged Smallsword	sw-2 cut	1	0F	$600	1.75	6
	or	thr+1 imp	1	0F	–	–	6

	TWO-HANDED SWORD (DX-5, Broadsword-4, or Force Sword-4)
3	Broadsword	sw+2 cut	1	0	$600	3	9†
	or	thr+3 imp	1	0	–	–	9†
3	Great Clipped Falchion	sw+3 cut	1,2	0	$600	6	11†
	or	thr+1 imp	1	0	–	–	11†
3	Great Falchion	sw+3 cut	1,2	0	$700	6	11†
	or	thr+2 imp	1	0	–	–	10†
3	Heavy Broadsword	sw+3 cut	1	0	$800	6	11†
	or	thr+3 imp	1	0	–	–	10†
3	Large Clipped Falchion	sw+3 cut	1	0	$500	4.5	10†
	or	thr+1 imp	1	0	–	–	10†
3	Large Falchion	sw+3 cut	1	0	$600	4.5	10†
	or	thr+2 imp	1	0	–	–	10†
3	Odachi	sw+3 cut	1,2	0	$800	7	12†
	or	thr+2 imp	1,2	0	–	–	12†

Notes:
[1] Gives a +1 to skill when used to swing.
[2] Gives -1 to skill with a thrust.
[3] Gives a -1 to skill when used to swing.
[4] Gives +1 to skill with a thrust.
[5] Gives the hand (only) DR. This indicates a metal hilt that provides DR 4, cumulative with glove DR – although the hilt is too cramped to accommodate metal gauntlets. Some hilts don’t enclose the hand completely; DR applies only on a roll of 1-3 on 1d.

BROADSWORD (p. B271) – Europe. A term for what medieval warriors called an “arming sword,” coined by 17th-century writers to distinguish robust military swords from narrow-bladed civilian ones. Typically 30” to 40” long. Some examples have hilts that can accommodate two hands, for these, a two-handed stat-line is provided. A true cinematic hero will not be satisfied with a flimsy blade that tapers forward, but will, like Conan the Cimmerian, swing around a broad and heavy straight blade that can be used both in one hand or two, but is no longer than an ordinary arming sword. For this, use the HEAVY BROADSWORD.
FALCHION (MA, p. 227) – A medieval European term applied loosely to almost any single-edged sword, but most often to one that’s flared, heavy, and/or curved forward at the tip, which favors cutting over thrusting. A CLIPPED FALCHION is one with a point of indifferent sharpness and poor design, such as many tools. Most ironworking cultures developed such a blade; hunters and soldiers worldwide valued it as a tool (for butchering game, cutting brush, opening coconuts, etc.) and a weapon. Also applies to many swords in other cultures, including the Chinese Dao (LARGE FALCHION or GREAT FALCHION). Many Dao and some large European swords of this type have a hilt large enough to accommodate two hands. This includes the German Kriegsmesser, which is either a LARGE/GREAT FALCHION or BROADSWORD/BASTARD SWORD depending on curvature and length.
MAIN-GAUCHE (MA p. 228) – France, Italy. A stiff knife with a large basket hilt and broad crosspiece, designed primarily as a parrying weapon. Used alongside a rapier. Not throwable.
ODACHI (pp. B271, B274) – Japan. A slightly curved and very long single-edged sword designed for two-handed use. Smaller weapons that can be used in either one hand or two should be treated as a KATANA or LATE KATANA. Sources differ whether the name odachi (‘great sword’) or nodachi (‘field sword’) is more appropriate for the larger weapon.
RAPIER (MA p. 229, p. B273) – Europe. A long, one-handed sword with a stiff, narrow blade built for stabbing (but not for parrying – rapierists often carried a secondary weapon or a cloak for defense). Despite modern misconceptions, the rapier isn’t flimsy or fragile; it’s simply longer and thinner than a military cut-and-thrust sword of similar weight, as befits a civilian weapon designed to combat lightly armored foes. There are many variations. The CUT-AND-THRUST SWORD is a military weapon that is also balanced to use with the same techniques as civilian fencing of the day. It usually has a blade between 30” to 40” in length and may have a rapier-style hilt.
SABER (p. B273) – Europe. A light, one-handed cut-and-thrust sword built for fencing. The DUELLING SABER is a slightly heavier version that is closer to a CAVALRY SABER in weight, but still light enough to be used with fencing skill.
SMALLSWORD (p. B273) – France. This one-handed thrusting sword is speedy on attack and defense, but its light weight and short reach are serious liabilities. The EDGED SMALLSWORD is sharpened, but too light to be a good cutting weapon.

Below will be some few customization rules and a sword-themed expansion on the 'A Matter of Inches' rules from the sidebar on MA p. 110. Feel free to quibble with stat assignments, rules or even just spelling mistakes. That's what you're here for.

Edit: Right, in case there's any relevance, here are links to a few other house rules of mine.

Weapon Breakage using Damage to Objects

Shields, their use and new Perks

Staves, damage and bonuses to Parry

08-17-2010, 08:47 PM	#1
Icelander Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Iceland*	On Swords, Blades and the Song of Swords Ever felt that the weapon tables in Martial Arts and the Basic Set are missing vital steps in the stat progression that are just different enough from the weapons that are there to make it a new weapon?* Ever felt that some of the stats for some swords were just a little off to make them balanced/fun/useful? But far* too similar to justify including them in an official supplement aimed at the general roleplayer market, most of whom tend want to use 'a sword', 'an axe', or perhaps at the very most, 'a katana'. Look no further. New or Modified Swords Code: TL Weapon Damage Reach Parry Cost Weight ST Notes BROADSWORD (DX-5, Force Sword-4, Rapier-4, Saber-4, Shortsword-2, or Two-Handed Sword-4) 3 Heavy Broadsword sw+2 cut 1 0U $800 6 12 or thr+2 imp 1 0 – – 12 3 Large Clipped Falchion sw+2 cut 1 0U $500 4.5 11 or thr imp 1 0 – – 11 3 Large Falchion sw+2 cut 1 0U $700 4.5 11 or thr+1 imp 1 0 – – 11 3 Great Clipped Falchion sw+2 cut 1 0U $600 6 12 or thr imp 1 0 – – 12 3 Great Falchion sw+2 cut 1 0U $700 6 12 or thr+1 imp 1 0 – – 12 4 Cut-and-Thrust Sword sw cut 1 0 $700 3 10 or thr+1 imp 1 0 – – 10 KNIFE (DX-4, Force Sword-3, Main-Gauche-3, or Shortsword-3) 2 Kukri sw-1 cut C, 1 0 $50 1.5 7 [1] or thr-1 imp C 0 – – 7 [2] MAIN-GAUCHE (DX-5, Jitte/Sai 4, Knife 4, Rapier 3, Saber 3, or Smallsword 3) 4 Main-Gauche sw-3 cut C, 1 0F $50 1.25 6 [3,5] or thr imp C, 1 0F – – 6 [4] RAPIER (DX-5, Broadsword-4, Main-Gauche-3, Saber-3, or Smallsword-3) 4 Cut-and-Thrust Sword sw cut 1 0F $700 3 10 or thr+1 imp 1 0F – – 10 SABER (DX-5, Broadsword-4, Main-Gauche-3, Rapier-3, Shortsword-4, or Smallsword-3) 4 Dueling Saber sw cut 1 0F $800 2.5 9 or thr+1 imp 1 0F – – 9 SHORTSWORD (DX-5, Broadsword-2, Force Sword-4, Jitte/Sai-3, Knife-4, Saber-4, Smallsword-4, or Tonfa-3) 2 Clipped Falchion sw+1 cut 1 0 $300 3 10 or thr-1 imp 1 0 – – 10 2 Falchion sw+1 cut 1 0 $400 3 10 or thr imp 1 0 – – 10 2 Shortsword sw cut 1 0 $400 2 8 or thr+1 imp 1 0 – – 8 2 Small Clipped Falchion sw cut 1 0 $200 2 8 or thr-2 imp 1 0 – – 8 2 Small Falchion sw cut 1 0 $300 2 8 or thr-1 imp 1 0 – – 8 SMALLSWORD (DX-5, Main-Gauche-3, Rapier-3, Saber-3, or Shortsword-4) 4 Edged Smallsword sw-2 cut 1 0F $600 1.75 6 or thr+1 imp 1 0F – – 6 TWO-HANDED SWORD (DX-5, Broadsword-4, or Force Sword-4) 3 Broadsword sw+2 cut 1 0 $600 3 9† or thr+3 imp 1 0 – – 9† 3 Great Clipped Falchion sw+3 cut 1,2 0 $600 6 11† or thr+1 imp 1 0 – – 11† 3 Great Falchion sw+3 cut 1,2 0 $700 6 11† or thr+2 imp 1 0 – – 10† 3 Heavy Broadsword sw+3 cut 1 0 $800 6 11† or thr+3 imp 1 0 – – 10† 3 Large Clipped Falchion sw+3 cut 1 0 $500 4.5 10† or thr+1 imp 1 0 – – 10† 3 Large Falchion sw+3 cut 1 0 $600 4.5 10† or thr+2 imp 1 0 – – 10† 3 Odachi sw+3 cut 1,2 0 $800 7 12† or thr+2 imp 1,2 0 – – 12† Notes: [1] Gives a +1 to skill when used to swing. [2] Gives -1 to skill with a thrust. [3] Gives a -1 to skill when used to swing. [4] Gives +1 to skill with a thrust. [5] Gives the hand (only) DR. This indicates a metal hilt that provides DR 4, cumulative with glove DR – although the hilt is too cramped to accommodate metal gauntlets. Some hilts don’t enclose the hand completely; DR applies only on a roll of 1-3 on 1d. BROADSWORD (p. B271) – Europe. A term for what medieval warriors called an “arming sword,” coined by 17th-century writers to distinguish robust military swords from narrow-bladed civilian ones. Typically 30” to 40” long. Some examples have hilts that can accommodate two hands, for these, a two-handed stat-line is provided. A true cinematic hero will not be satisfied with a flimsy blade that tapers forward, but will, like Conan the Cimmerian, swing around a broad and heavy straight blade that can be used both in one hand or two, but is no longer than an ordinary arming sword. For this, use the HEAVY BROADSWORD. FALCHION (MA, p. 227) – A medieval European term applied loosely to almost any single-edged sword, but most often to one that’s flared, heavy, and/or curved forward at the tip, which favors cutting over thrusting. A CLIPPED FALCHION is one with a point of indifferent sharpness and poor design, such as many tools. Most ironworking cultures developed such a blade; hunters and soldiers worldwide valued it as a tool (for butchering game, cutting brush, opening coconuts, etc.) and a weapon. Also applies to many swords in other cultures, including the Chinese Dao (LARGE FALCHION or GREAT FALCHION). Many Dao and some large European swords of this type have a hilt large enough to accommodate two hands. This includes the German Kriegsmesser, which is either a LARGE/GREAT FALCHION or BROADSWORD/BASTARD SWORD depending on curvature and length. MAIN-GAUCHE (MA p. 228) – France, Italy. A stiff knife with a large basket hilt and broad crosspiece, designed primarily as a parrying weapon. Used alongside a rapier. Not throwable. ODACHI (pp. B271, B274) – Japan. A slightly curved and very long single-edged sword designed for two-handed use. Smaller weapons that can be used in either one hand or two should be treated as a KATANA or LATE KATANA. Sources differ whether the name odachi (‘great sword’) or nodachi (‘field sword’) is more appropriate for the larger weapon. RAPIER (MA p. 229, p. B273) – Europe. A long, one-handed sword with a stiff, narrow blade built for stabbing (but not for parrying – rapierists often carried a secondary weapon or a cloak for defense). Despite modern misconceptions, the rapier isn’t flimsy or fragile; it’s simply longer and thinner than a military cut-and-thrust sword of similar weight, as befits a civilian weapon designed to combat lightly armored foes. There are many variations. The CUT-AND-THRUST SWORD is a military weapon that is also balanced to use with the same techniques as civilian fencing of the day. It usually has a blade between 30” to 40” in length and may have a rapier-style hilt. SABER (p. B273) – Europe. A light, one-handed cut-and-thrust sword built for fencing. The DUELLING SABER is a slightly heavier version that is closer to a CAVALRY SABER in weight, but still light enough to be used with fencing skill. SMALLSWORD (p. B273) – France. This one-handed thrusting sword is speedy on attack and defense, but its light weight and short reach are serious liabilities. The EDGED SMALLSWORD is sharpened, but too light to be a good cutting weapon. Below will be some few customization rules and a sword-themed expansion on the 'A Matter of Inches' rules from the sidebar on MA p. 110. Feel free to quibble with stat assignments, rules or even just spelling mistakes. That's what you're here for. Edit: Right, in case there's any relevance, here are links to a few other house rules of mine. Weapon Breakage using Damage to Objects Shields, their use and new Perks Staves, damage and bonuses to Parry __________________ Za uspiekh nashevo beznadiozhnovo diela! Last edited by Icelander; 09-02-2010 at 11:06 PM.