Trained Strength for Striking [TG]

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by aesir23

That stuff looks really interesting, I'm going to have to take a closer look! It's a lot to absorb, right now.

That version's outdated, I need to clean up and post the new-and-improved one. In both cases, however, I put Fencing (Footwork in the new version) as +1 to difficulty, meaning it costs [4] extra points to be as good at Fencing with a broadsword as it would to be able to use it normally. With the current version, you could drop it back down to Average progression by putting some limitation on it - Slow Progression, Focused (only useful against a single opponent), or Restricted (no Swing damage) - while I think Restricted (no Swing damage) is more appropriate, Slow Progression certainly makes sense. Well, actually, I'd probably recreate the current Rapier as Fast Progression (+2 difficulty), Footwork (+1 difficulty), Focused (-1 difficulty), Restricted (no Swing; -1 difficulty), Restricted (very light blades only; -1 difficulty). I really need to get around to posting that update...

Originally Posted by aesir23

I think the effects of Weapon Master and Trained by a Master are open questions. I already use a House Rule that replaces Trained by a Master with Weapon Master (Unarmed).

I like the idea of increasing progression 1 step with Weapon Master. Of course, then there's the question of whether Boxing and Karate get a damage bonus too, despite already being fast...

I use a house rule I stole from Peter Dell'Orto - TbaM lets you treat your arms as though they were weapons for purposes of Parrying and being Parried. I take it a step further and give the character an additional DR 4 for free against Aggressive Parries and the like to keep up the "my hands are weapons" theme.

As for Boxing and Karate, Fast Progression should replace their normal damage bonus, just as Average Progression should replace the damage bonus of Brawling. Personally, however, I have the ST bonus count "double" for Thrusting attacks, such that every +1 to ST is +1 to both Thrust and Swing, rather than being +1/2 to Thrust and +1 to Swing. This would match the damage bonuses from Brawling, Boxing, and Karate.