Your choice of weapon says something about you. Are you a duelist? A heavy man-at-arms? An archer? It has been said that a warrior becomes like bad weather, if they hold a weapon that does not fit them. Choose wisely.
The following eight combat skills, though quite versatile and powerful on their own, are not the only combat-related paths available to players. Most worlds have an Advanced Weapon Style available to them. These styles are mysterious, difficult, and closely guarded by the masters who study them. Although a world’s inhabitants may purchase an advanced style at reduced cost, others can learn them as well…if they meet the requirements. See Part 5: Advanced Styles for details.
Remember that a character’s Prowess is derived from their highest rated combat skill, plus any levels they have in the Strong trait; additional weapon skills at the same (or lower) levels will only provide access to their abilities, and will not increase Prowess.
A full set of descriptions for all combat abilities follows the following skill listings:
Sword
(Short Sword, Long Sword, Greatsword)
Level | Cost | Abilities | Total* | |
Prowess = Highest Combat Skill + Strong Trait | ||||
1 | 15 CP | Power Strike 2 | 15 | |
2 | 5 CP | Parry | 20 | |
3 | 10 CP | Dodge, Battle Lore | 30 | |
4 | 15 CP | Disarm, Recover | 45 | |
5 | 20 CP | Power Strike 3 | 65 | |
6 | 25 CP | Mortal Blow | 90 | |
7 | 30 CP | Favored Sword -or- Leading Strike | 120 | |
8 | 35 CP | Battle Focus -or- Fencing | 155 | |
9 | 40 CP | Master Power Strike -or- Combat Fitness | 195 | |
10 | 45 CP | Battle Focus -or- Slayer | 240 | |
11 | 50 CP | Master Power Strike -or- Mobility | 290 | |
12 | 55 CP | Battle Focus -or- Legendary Sword | 345 |
*this is the total amount of cp spent on the skill at the corresponding level
Bow
(Bow, Crossbow)
Level | Cost | Abilities | Total* | |
Prowess = Highest Combat Skill + Strong Trait | ||||
1 | 15 CP | Power Strike 3 | 15 | |
2 | 5 CP | Piercing Strike, Evade | 20 | |
3 | 10 CP | Dodge, Battle Lore | 30 | |
4 | 15 CP | Power Strike 4 | 45 | |
5 | 20 CP | Power Strike 5 | 65 | |
6 | 25 CP | Mortal Blow | 90 | |
7 | 30 CP | Favored Bow -or- Leading Strike | 120 | |
8 | 35 CP | Battle Focus -or- Crack Shot | 155 | |
9 | 40 CP | Master Power Strike -or- True Strike | 195 | |
10 | 45 CP | Battle Focus -or- Master Power Strike | 240 | |
11 | 50 CP | Master Power Strike -or- Slayer | 290 | |
12 | 55 CP | Battle Focus -or- Legendary Bow | 345 |
*this is the total amount of cp spent on the skill at the corresponding level
Axe
(Short Axe, Battleaxe, Greataxe)
Level | Cost | Abilities | Total* | |
Prowess = Highest Combat Skill + Strong Trait | ||||
1 | 10 CP | Power Strike 2 | 10 | |
2 | 5 CP | Power Strike 3 | 15 | |
3 | 10 CP | Dodge, Battle Lore | 25 | |
4 | 15 CP | Piercing Strike | 40 | |
5 | 20 CP | Power Strike 4 | 60 | |
6 | 25 CP | Mortal Blow | 85 | |
7 | 30 CP | Favored Axe -or- Leading Strike | 115 | |
8 | 35 CP | Battle Focus -or- Shieldbane | 150 | |
9 | 40 CP | Master Power Strike -or- Slayer | 190 | |
10 | 45 CP | Battle Focus -or- Master Power Strike | 235 | |
11 | 50 CP | Master Power Strike -or- Mighty Blow | 285 | |
12 | 55 CP | Battle Focus -or- Legendary Axe | 340 |
*this is the total amount of cp spent on the skill at the corresponding level
Mace
(Short Mace/Club/Hammer, War M/C/H, Greatmace, Maul, Cudgel)
Level | Cost | Abilities | Total* | |
Prowess = Highest Combat Skill + Strong Trait | ||||
1 | 10 CP | Power Strike 2 | 10 | |
2 | 5 CP | Power Strike 3 | 15 | |
3 | 10 CP | Dodge, Battle Lore | 25 | |
4 | 15 CP | Power Strike 4 | 40 | |
5 | 20 CP | Weapon Break | 60 | |
6 | 25 CP | Stunning Blow | 85 | |
7 | 30 CP | Favored Mace -or- Leading Strike | 115 | |
8 | 35 CP | Battle Focus -or- Weaponsbane | 150 | |
9 | 40 CP | Master Power Strike -or- Mighty Blow | 190 | |
10 | 45 CP | Battle Focus -or- Master Power Strike | 235 | |
11 | 50 CP | Master Power Strike -or- Breaker | 285 | |
12 | 55 CP | Battle Focus -or- Legendary Mace | 340 |
*this is the total amount of cp spent on the skill at the corresponding level
Polearm
(Staff, Spear, Halberd)
Level | Cost | Abilities | Total | |
Prowess = Highest Combat Skill + Strong Trait | ||||
1 | 10 CP | Power Strike 2 | 10 | |
2 | 5 CP | Parry | 15 | |
3 | 10 CP | Dodge, Battle Lore | 25 | |
4 | 15 CP | Power Strike 3 | 40 | |
5 | 20 CP | Sweep Attack | 60 | |
6 | 25 CP | Mortal Blow | 85 | |
7 | 30 CP | Favored Polearm -or- Leading Strike | 115 | |
8 | 35 CP | Battle Focus -or- High Ground | 150 | |
9 | 40 CP | Master Power Strike -or- Combat Fitness | 190 | |
10 | 45 CP | Battle Focus -or- Slayer | 235 | |
11 | 50 CP | Master Power Strike -or- Mighty Blow | 285 | |
12 | 55 CP | Battle Focus -or- Legendary Polearm | 340 |
*this is the total amount of cp spent on the skill at the corresponding level
Thrown
(Throwing knives, Throwing axes, Chakrams, Slingshots)
Level | Cost | Abilities | Total* | |
Prowess = Highest Combat Skill + Strong Trait | ||||
1 | 10 CP | Thrown Proficiency, Power Strike 2 | 10 | |
2 | 5 CP | Thrown Disarm, Evade | 15 | |
3 | 10 CP | Dodge, Battle Lore | 25 | |
4 | 15 CP | Power Strike 3 | 40 | |
5 | 20 CP | Thrown Subdue | 60 | |
6 | 25 CP | Mortal Blow | 85 | |
7 | 30 CP | Quick Hands -or- Steady Arm | 115 | |
8 | 35 CP | Battle Focus -or- Artful Maiming | 150 | |
9 | 40 CP | Master Power Strike -or- Combat Fitness | 190 | |
10 | 45 CP | Battle Focus -or- Mobility | 235 | |
11 | 50 CP | Master Power Strike -or- True Strike | 285 | |
12 | 55 CP | Battle Focus -or- Slayer | 340 |
*this is the total amount of cp spent on the skill at the corresponding level
Close Weapons
(Daggers, Hatchets, Saps)
Level | Cost | Abilities | Total* | |
Prowess = Highest Combat Skill + Strong Trait | ||||
1 | 5 CP | Power Strike 2 | 5 | |
2 | 5 CP | Subdue | 10 | |
3 | 10 CP | Dodge, Battle Lore | 20 | |
4 | 15 CP | Parry | 35 | |
5 | 20 CP | Power Strike 3 | 55 | |
6 | 25 CP | Mortal Blow | 80 | |
7 | 30 CP | Favored Close Weapon -or- Leading Strike | 110 | |
8 | 35 CP | Battle Focus -or- Footpad | 145 | |
9 | 40 CP | Master Power Strike -or- Combat Fitness | 185 | |
10 | 45 CP | Battle Focus -or- Mobility | 230 | |
11 | 50 CP | Master Power Strike -or- Slayer | 280 | |
12 | 55 CP | Battle Focus -or- Legendary Close Weapon | 335 |
*this is the total amount of cp spent on the skill at the corresponding level
Shield
(Buckler, Small Shield, Large Shield)
Level | Cost | Abilities | Total* | |
Prowess = Highest Combat Skill + Strong Trait | ||||
1 | 10 CP | Block | 10 | |
2 | 5 CP | Deflect | 15 | |
3 | 10 CP | Dodge, Battle Lore | 25 | |
4 | 15 CP | Stonewall | 40 | |
5 | 20 CP | Shield Bash | 60 | |
6 | 25 CP | Fortification | 85 | |
7 | 30 CP | Favored Shield -or- Bulwark | 115 | |
8 | 35 CP | Battle Focus -or- Crushing Shield | 150 | |
9 | 40 CP | Shieldbearer -or- Combat Fitness | 190 | |
10 | 45 CP | Battle Focus -or- Arrowbane | 235 | |
11 | 50 CP | Defensive Strength -or- Perfect Aegis | 285 | |
12 | 55 CP | Battle Focus -or- Legendary Shield | 340 |
*this is the total amount of cp spent on the skill at the corresponding level
Combat Abilities
Unless stated otherwise, combat skill abilities can only be used with the weapon/shields covered by the skill they were gained under; a character with level 6 in Sword can only use their Mortal Blows with swords, as an example.
When using a combat ability, a character must call out the name of the ability in a clear voice, like all other taglines. Note that the tagline for attack abilities must be said before the attack hits its target, and that defensive taglines must be called within 3 seconds of an attack hitting.
All attacks are assumed to cause 1 damage unless they explicitly say otherwise; this rule applies even if the attack is a specialized maneuver (Stunning Blow), or if it hits an opponent instead of its appropriate target (Piercing Strike or Disarm). Cost refers to the amount of prowess it takes to activate the ability.
Basic Combat Abilities
Name | Cost | Type | Description | |
Battle Lore | — | M | Cumulative bonus to Investigation/Research on weapons/tactics | |
Block | 1 | D | Reduces attack damage to 1; other effects still apply | |
Deflect | 2 | D | Negates a melee or missile attack | |
Disarm | 2 | A | Struck weapon is dropped, light only, not parryable | |
Dodge | 3 | D | Negates any melee, missile, or magical attack | |
Evade | 2 | D | Negates a missile attack | |
Fortification | — | M | +1 max Vitality when wearing any armor | |
Mortal Blow | 3 | A | Destroys target’s resilience; causes Torso wound | |
Parry | 2 | D | Negates a melee attack | |
Piercing Strike | 1 | A | Does 1 damage for one swing/arrow to shield, claw, or unarmed | |
Power Strike # | 1 | A | Does # damage for one swing | |
Recover | 2 | D | Negates a Disarm | |
Shield Bash | 2 | A | Disarms melee attack, must hit shield | |
Stonewall | 2 | D | Resists a Piercing Strike or Shield Break effect | |
Stunning Blow | 2 | A | Does 1 damage & target is Stunned | |
Subdue | 1 | A | Must hit unaware from behind; Unconscious for 5 min | |
Sweep Attack | 2 | A | Does 1 damage & causes Knockdown: 1 min | |
Thrown Disarm | 1 | A | As Disarm; must strike weapon | |
Thrown Subdue | 1 | A | As Subdue | |
Weapon Break | 2 | A | Breaks struck light weapon, no parry | |
Withstand | 2 | D | Resists a Weapon Break effect |
Battle Lore
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
All combat skills grant Battle Lore at level 3. This ability represents general knowledge and understanding of combat, as can only be gained by practical use of the tools of the trade. When performing Investigations on weapons, armor, battle sites, or other ephemera of war, this ability counts as a free Feat of Learning and Perception for each time it has been earned (i.e. multiple combat skills at level 3). This ability also grants a +2 bonus per Battle Lore to scholars, merchants, and diplomats whose research, ventures, and influence actions are focused upon the arts of war or those who wage it.
Block
Prowess : 1
Defenses: —
This ability allows a shield user to “take a hit” on their shield arm, which reduces the damage of a non-magical attack to 1, regardless of how damaging the attack was originally. The 1 point of damage is still taken off of a character’s resilience, as normal. Block will not stop the special effects of an attack, such as the stunning of a Stunning Blow, nor the knockdown of a Sweep Attack, nor the critical effect or resilience destruction of a Mortal Blow. Block is a reduction effect, and note that Threshold effects are always checked before reduction effects can take place.
Deflect
Prowess : 2
Defenses: —
This ability allows a shield user to completely negate a melee or non-magical missile attack. Unlike Block, Deflect explicitly stops all effects of the attack. Note that Piercing Strike and Shield Break effects cannot be Deflected, nor can Mighty Blows.
Disarm
Prowess : 2
Defenses: Dodge, Recover
This ability allows a sword user to cause an opponent to drop a weapon they are wielding. After saying the tagline, the user of this ability must then immediately strike the opponent’s weapon. Heavy weapons are immune to Disarm, and their wielders may call “No Effect” in response to this attack. Anyone who has been Disarmed may not pick up any items, at all, for a 3 second count.
Dodge
Prowess : 3
Defenses: —
This ability allows a character to completely negate a melee, missile, or packet-delivered magical attack of almost any sort. Unlike most other combat abilities, Dodge does not require that a character be wielding the weapon tied to the skill with which they gained it. A Feat of Agility may be used to call a Dodge effect, and is treated exactly the same as a use of this ability.
Evade
Prowess : 2
Defenses: —
This ability allows a character to completely negate a missile weapon attack (arrows, bolts, thrown weapons, sling shots, and railcaster shots). Unlike most other combat abilities, Evade does not require that a character be wielding the weapon tied to the skill with which they gained it. Simply put, an Evade functions exactly like Dodge: any maneuver that may be defended against with a Dodge may be defended against with Evade as long as the maneuver was delivered with a missile or thrown weapon.
Fortification
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
This passive shield ability grants a +1 maximum Vitality increase as long as a character wears a suit of armor of any kind. Treat this Vitality increase as if it were natural Vitality derived from the Tough trait. Since this ability only increases a character’s maximum Vitality, they must rest or recover in order to benefit from it. As soon as the possessor of this ability takes off a suit of armor, they immediately lose the increase and must again rest to recover it if they don more armor. This ability functions even if the character is not using a shield, and the condition of the Armor does not matter: a character can wear a damaged suit at 0 armor value and still gain the bonus to maximum Vitality.
Mortal Blow
Prowess : 3
Defenses: Dodge, Deflect, Parry
This potent attack immediately destroys its target’s Resilience and inflicts a Torso wound on them, assuming it hits a legal area of any kind. Note that extremely powerful foes maybe resistant to the instant critical effect, but will still take a great deal of damage.
Parry
Prowess : 2
Defenses: —
This ability allows a character to completely negate a melee attack of almost any sort. Note that any attack which targets the weapon itself, such as a Disarm or Weapon Break, cannot be parried.
Piercing Strike
Prowess : 1
Defenses: Dodge, Stonewall, Parry
This ability allows a strike to bypass shields and natural weapons entirely, doing 1 damage to the arm of the defender. Piercing Strike must actually strike the shield, claw, or unarmed phys-rep to count. Resilience applies as normal.
Power Strike
Prowess : 1
Defenses: Dodge, Deflect, Block (reduced to 1), Parry
This ability allows a character to call extra damage for 1 swing, the amount of which depends upon their skill level and the type of weapon they are using. Note that Heavy Weapons automatically add 1 to the damage of any power strike called with them. The tagline for this ability is “Power Strike X,” where X is the damage amount. A Feat of Strength may be used to call a free instance of this ability at the character’s normal power strike damage, just as if they had spent 1 prowess and called it as usual.
Recover
Prowess : 2
Defenses: —
This ability allows a sword user to negate a Disarm effect delivered by a melee or thrown weapon. Note that Recover cannot be used to resist magical drop effects.
Shield Bash
Prowess : 2
Defenses: Dodge, Recover
Shield Bash can only be called if an opponent strikes the user’s shield with a melee attack, and when successfully used it Disarms the opponent of that weapon. Heavy weapons are immune to Disarm, and their wielders may call “No Effect” in response to this attack. Those who have been Disarmed may not pick up any items, at all, for a 3 second count. Note: players should NEVER actually strike anyone with a shield; this ability is just a representation of such an attack.
Stonewall
Prowess : 2
Defenses: —
This ability allows a shield user to completely negate a Piercing Strike or Shield Break. Note that this ability will not defend against magical break effects.
Stunning Blow
Prowess : 2
Defenses: Dodge, Parry, Deflect
This special attack, if successful, does 1 damage and causes its victim to be Stunned for 1 minute. Stunning is a Mental effect, and this maneuver can be entirely resisted as such, including the damage. Stunned characters may not move from where they stand, (they may turn around and such) attack anyone with weapons, speak, or cast spells for the duration. Both mundane defenses and defensive combat maneuvers are unaffected by stunning, however. Stunning Blow explicitly ignores all Threshold effects.
Subdue
Prowess : 1
Defenses: Dodge
This Close Weapon ability must be delivered from behind, and takes the form of a pommel tap to the upper back or shoulder of the victim. If successful, the victim then falls unconscious for 5 minutes. Perceptive characters and those wearing helmets are completely immune to subdual, and call “No Effect” when hit with such. Although the attacker need not be hidden to deliver a subdual, if a potential victim actually turns around and calls “I See You” (or otherwise makes it obvious the attack is detected somehow) before the subdual takes place, then it fails. As with all attacks, only 1 subdue may be called per second, and if a victim calls a Dodge on the first (or it somehow misses) the attacker is counted as being seen, as above.
Note: All Close Weapons must have at least 1″ of open cell foam on their pommel, unlike other melee weapons, and regardless of whether or not they are “intended” to be used with this ability. A Sap, in addition, may be used in a Subdue by simply striking the victim with a normal swing that targets their back/shoulder from behind. All other Subdue restrictions apply.
Sweep Attack
Prowess : 2
Defenses: Dodge, Parry, Deflect
This special attack does 1 damage and inflicts a Knockdown effect on its target: they are forced to their knees or into a sitting or prone position for one minute, and they may not stand. Victims of this effect may still attack and defend, as well as use spells and skills as normal, and they may crawl upon their hands and knees. Other characters may carry victims of Knockdown as they would someone suffering a leg wound. A Feat of Strength may be used to resist a Sweep Attack entirely, including the damage. Sweep Attacks explicitly ignore all Threshold effects.
Thrown Disarm
Prowess : 1
Defenses: Dodge, Recover
This attack is very similar to a normal Disarm, save that it is delivered by a thrown weapon and only costs 1 prowess. Like a regular Disarm, the ability must be called and the weapon struck for it to take effect. As always, Heavy Weapons are immune to Disarm effects. If the attack hits an opponent instead of a weapon, it simply does 1 damage as normal.
Thrown Subdue
Prowess : 1
Defenses: Dodge
This attack is very similar to a normal subdue, save that it is delivered by a thrown weapon and only needs to strike its victim in the back (torso). All restrictions and qualifications relating to Subdue apply to this ability, though since thrown weapons must be entirely made of foam, the pommel construction requirement is not needed. If the attack hits a legal location other than the back, it simply does 1 damage as normal.
Weapon Break
Prowess : 2
Defenses: Dodge, Withstand
This attack is delivered in a way similar to a Disarm, except that if it succeeds, the target weapon is subject to a Break effect. Broken items may not be used at all, though they need not be dropped; however, if a character takes a weapon hit on a broken weapon (or shield), the damage goes directly to the arm holding it. Heavy Weapons are immune to Weapon Breaks, though not to magical sources of break effects.
Withstand
Prowess : 2
Defenses: —
This Mace ability allows its user to negate a Weapon Break attack entirely. Withstand is useless on magical sources of break effects, however.
Advanced Combat Abilities
Name | Cost | Description | |
Arrow Bane | — | Gain Threshold 1 vs missiles | |
Artful Maiming | 1 | Causes a Limb Wound directly | |
Battle Focus | — | Restores Prowess and Vitality 1/day | |
Binding Strike* | 1 | Binds a target’s leg, 1 damage | |
Breaker | — | +Stunning Blow, Sunder, Killing Strike | |
Bulwark | — | When at full Prowess, Blocks cost 0 | |
Combat Fitness | — | Reduces rest time to 5 min, double restoration | |
Crack Shot | — | Binding Strike, Trick Shot, gather arrows in Hold | |
Crushing Shield | — | Shield Bash or Weapon Break for 2 prowess | |
Defensive Strength | — | +2 to Power Strikes while using shield | |
Favored Item | — | Choice of free abilities with item | |
Fencing | — | Recover for 1, Disarm after Parry | |
Footpad | — | Subdue for 0; Greater Subdue | |
Greater Subdue | 1 | Affects those immune to normal Subdue | |
Greater Stonewall | 2 | Can resist magic break effects to shield | |
Greater Weapon Break* | 2 | May break Light and Heavy weapons | |
High Ground | — | Subdue for 0; Greater Subdue | |
Killing Strike* | 3 | Target dies immediately, as a Killing Blow | |
Leading Strike | — | When at full Prowess, gain +2 to Power Strikes | |
Legendary Item | — | ++Favored Item | |
Master Power Strike | — | Base Power Strike for 0, +1 per chosen | |
Mighty Blow | 2 | X2 Power Strike damage, limited defense | |
Mobility | — | Dodge reduces by 2 | |
Perfect Aegis | 2 | Negate spell attack, replaces Deflect/Stonewall | |
Quick Hands | — | Catch/block thrown, counter throw, gather in hold | |
Shieldbane | — | Piercing Strike X, Shield Break for 2 | |
Shieldbearer | — | +Stonewall, use Deflect with Feats | |
Shield Break* | 2 | Struck shield takes a Break effect | |
Slayer | — | Killing Strike, Mortal Blow for 2 | |
Steady Arm | — | Thrown Subdue and Disarm for 0, Trick Throw | |
Sunder* | 2 | Damage objects as a Feat of Strength | |
Trick Shot* | 2 | Strike objects, flip switches, etc (Marshalled) | |
Trick Throw* | 2 | Strike objects, flip switches, etc (Marshalled) | |
True Strike | 2 | Undefendable Power Strike | |
Weaponbane | — | +Weapon Break, Withstand for 1 |
*These maneuvers are not gained separately; they are instead earned as part of a group of abilities
Arrowbane
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
With this ability, a character automatically gains a persistent Threshold 1 versus all non-magical missile and thrown weapon attacks, assuming they are holding a shield. Arrowbane does not stack in any way with other sources of threshold.
Artful Maiming
Prowess : 1
Defenses: Dodge, Deflect
Characters with this Thrown ability may immediately wound the limbs of their opponents through precise strikes at their joints. Such attacks are called as “Maiming Strike X!” where X is Right Arm, Left Arm, Right Leg, or Left Leg. If the attack is successful, regardless of where it actually hits, it causes a limb wound to the called location. Note that a wounded limb, if it takes another wound, causes the Critical condition. Artful Maiming does not cause Resilience damage.
Battle Focus
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
After 3 seconds of concentration, after which they must call out “Battle Focus!” a character using this ability immediately refreshes all of their Prowess and Vitality. Battle Focus may be used a number of times per day equal to the number of times it is chosen as an ability. If a character has several Battle Focus abilities from different skills, they all add to the number of times it can be used. Using this ability does not require the character to wield a weapon/shield of the skill type(s) under which it was bought.
Binding Strike
Prowess : 1
Defenses: Dodge, Deflect
After this ability is called, and assuming it successfully strikes an opponent in any legal location, Binding Strike does 1 damage to the leg of its victim (their choice which one), and inflicts a Bind effect upon them. The Bind lasts for five minutes or until the victim spends a Feat of Strength to break free as a 3-second count (“Strength: Breaking 1, Breaking 2, Breaking 3!”). Those immune to Bind effects may call “No Effect” when hit by Binding Strikes, negating both the damage and the Bind.
Breaker
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
Using this ability, a character can call “Stunning Blow X,” instead of a normal Stunning Blow, where X is their weapon’s current maximum Power Strike damage. The Prowess cost is still 2 and the stunning effect still takes place: the target just takes X damage instead of 1.
As well, being a Breaker grants access to the Sunder and Killing Strike abilities.
Bulwark
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
With this ability, a shield user may call Block for 0 Prowess as long as their Prowess pool is at its maximum.
Combat Fitness
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
This ability permanently reduces the time a character must rest in order to recover Prowess and Vitality. After choosing this ability, it only takes 5 minutes of standard resting to do so. This ability can only be chosen once, and it applies regardless of whether or not the character is wielding the appropriate weapon or shield. Any other ability that reduces rest duration will not stack with Combat Fitness.
Crack Shot
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
This ability allows an archer to use the Binding Strike and Trick Shot maneuvers. In addition, characters with this ability may gather up to 5 arrows or bolts during any Hold that happens to be called during a battle (saying “Crack Shot”), though they may not call holds for such a purpose.
Crushing Shield
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
This ability reduces the cost of Shield Bash to 1. As well, a character with Crushing Shield may call “Weapon Break” for 2 prowess after taking a hit on their shield from a melee weapon, targeting it exactly as the mace ability of the same name, with no effect on heavy weapons.
Defensive Strength
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
While wielding a shield, a character with this ability may call +2 damage with all melee Power Strikes. This effect, like using a Heavy weapon, will modify any abilities which calculate damage based on Power Strikes.
Favored Weapon/Shield
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
This ability grants per-day combat maneuvers when using a particular, distinctive weapon or shield. These abilities are called as either “Favored X” or “X Favored” (player’s choice), where X is the normal ability tagline, and do not take any Prowess at all.
Upon gaining this ability, the character may designate a particular item immediately, noting it on its tag at earliest opportunity (put character name and favored abilities on it). After picking their Favored Item the character then must choose which abilities it will have. Characters with this ability have 6 Favored Points to spend on the available combat maneuvers listed in the table below, with the cost in parenthesis representing how many favored points they cost to buy as per day abilities. Once purchased (each may be bought more than once), these abilities are a permanent part of the item and are noted on its tag, though of course only the character who has chosen the item may use its abilities. Aswith all per-day abilities, Favored Item maneuvers refresh at sunset.
Favored items, from a roleplaying perspective, represent a seasoned warrior’s familiarity with a particular tool of their trade: they know it as they know their own limbs, and it acts as an extension of such. The physical representation of the item ought to be quite distinctive, and players should endeavor to also make sure that it is of good aesthetic quality and that it is in good condition. Favored items need not be Superior Quality, but it is entirely appropriate if they are.
Standard weapons (nor, indeed, any SQ/Masterwork item from any Craft specialty) may not be “remade” into SQ versions or “melted down” in order to reuse an old phys-rep. SQ Weapons explicitly require a new, unique phys-rep and must be a named item. The only exception to the above rule involves Favored Weapons and Shields.
If the item is lost, given away, sold, or destroyed, the character can designate a new Favored Item of the same type by using it liberally for at least one full event, and then dedicating a downtime action to practicing with it. At the next event, it becomes their new Favored Item, which must be noted on its tag as normal, and the new item will have exactly the same suite of abilities as the old. A character may only have one Favored Item belonging to a particular skill at a time, though additional Favored Items from different skills are allowed.
During downtime sessions, a character with this ability may train with their favored item. If this is done often enough, they will gain more Favored Points. The maximum number of Favored Points is directly equal to 3x its owner’s natural Prowess.
Skill | Favored Abilities (Cost) | ||
Sword | Mortal Blow (3), Parry (2), Disarm/Recover (2)* | ||
Bow | Mortal Blow (3), True Strike (2), Binding Strike (1) | ||
Axe | Mortal Blow (3), Shield Break (2), Piercing Strike (1) | ||
Mace | Stunning Blow (3), Weapon Break/Withstand (2)* | ||
Polearm | Mortal Blow (3), Sweep Attack (2), Parry (2) | ||
Close Weapon | Mortal Blow (3), Greater Subdue (1), Parry (2) | ||
Shield | Shield Bash (2), Stonewall (2), Deflect (2) |
*paired abilities may be used as either effect
Fencing
Prowess : Recover reduced to 1
Defenses: —
This ability permanently reduces the cost for Recovers to 1 Prowess as long as the character is wielding a sword. In addition, if a character calls a Parry on an opponent’s attack, they may then use a free Disarm (called as “Fencing Disarm”) on them if they do so within 3 seconds of the parried attack, before the fencer makes any other attack or defense. The character must still strike their attacker’s weapon; the only change is the cost. Note that only the Parry ability—not mundane parries—actually triggers the free disarm.
Footpad
Prowess : Subdue reduced to 0
Defenses: —
Characters with this ability reduce the cost of Subdue to 0. In addition, they may use the Greater Subdue ability.
Greater Subdue
Prowess : 1
Defenses: none
Characters with this ability may freely target those wearing helmets, or those who have the Perceptive trait. Exceptionally perceptive targets, however, may ignore a single Greater Subdue if they call a Greater Feat of Perception. A Greater Subdue cannot be Dodged.
Greater Stonewall
Prowess : 2
Defenses: —
This ability allows a character to resist even magical sources of break effects which target their shield.
Greater Weapon Break
Prowess : 2
Defenses: —
This ability is identical to Weapon Break except that it can explicitly break Heavy weapons. Giant weapons are not breakable by this ability, however.
Killing Strike
Prowess : 3
Defenses: Dodge, Parry, Deflect
This ability allows the character to call “Killing Strike” for a single swing, which if not Parried, Dodged, or Deflected immediately slays the target (also destroying all resilience) as if they had just received a Killing Blow. Killing Strike is not gained as an individual ability; rather, it is gained as a part of the Slayer or Breaker abilities.
High Ground
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
A character with this ability may call a Sweep Attack as “Sweep Attack X,” where X is their weapon’s normal Power Strike damage. The Prowess cost is still 2, and the attack does X damage to wherever it hits; in all other respects it is a normal Sweep Attack. Also, when attacking prone opponents (those sitting, kneeling, or lying down), or while prone and attacking standing opponents, a character with High Ground adds 1 to the damage of any Power Strike—or power strike derived ability such as Sweep Attack itself—they call.
Leading Strike
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
This ability simply adds 2 to the damage all Power Strikes called by the character as long as they have a full Prowess pool before any are called. This means a character with a full pool may spend 1 Prowess to call a Power Strike enhanced by this ability. All sources of Power Strikes are potentially enhanceable by Leading Strike.
Legendary Weapon/Shield
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
In a fashion similar to Favored Weapon/Shield—though to a much more profound degree—this ability allows a character to wield a weapon/shield which so personifies their skill at arms that it gains incredible, near-magical properties. This ability takes in-game actions to “activate” (think warrior’s quest); the exact process and result is of which is FOIP.
Master Power Strike
Prowess : —
Defenses: Dodge, Parry, Block (reduce to 1), Deflect
A character with this ability may call Power Strike 2 (3 for Bow) with the appropriate weapon type for no prowess cost. Every time this ability is chosen again for the same skill, they may call their next highest power strike for no cost. If a character chooses this ability the maximum number of times, they may call their highest possible power strike damage for nothing. Note that these “permanent” power strikes are still enhanced if the weapon they are used with is Heavy, or if they use any other effects/abilities which explicitly state they increase the damage of all Power Strikes used with them.
Mighty Blow
Prowess : 2
Defenses: Dodge, Block (reduce to 1)
This fearsome attack costs 2 Prowess and allows a character to call “Mighty Blow X,” where X is twice their maximum power strike damage (including bonuses from Heavy weapons and the like) for the appropriate weapon. Mighty Blows cannot be Parried or Deflected, only Dodged or Blocked.
Mobility
Prowess : Dodge reduced to 2
Defenses: —
This ability permanently reduces the cost of Dodge to 2 Prowess. May only be chosen once, and may be used without restrictions, as a normal Dodge.
Perfect Aegis
Prowess : 2
Defenses: —
A character with this Shield ability may spend 2 Prowess to negate a magical, packet-based attack, and is called as “Aegis.” This ability may also be called in place of a Deflect or Stonewall, and is treated in exactly the same way.
Quick Hands
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
Characters with this ability may mundanely block thrown weapons with their hands alone or with any thrown weapon they might be wielding. Also, if a character with Quick Hands happens to catch a thrown weapon, they may immediately hurl that weapon back at the thrower (and the thrower only), calling a free Power Strike at their normal amount. If this power strike hits someone else accidentally, it still takes effect, though the character must be sincerely trying to hit the original opponent.
In addition, characters with this ability may gather up to 5 thrown weapons during any Hold that happens to be called during a battle (saying “Quick Hands”), though they may not call holds for such a purpose.
Shieldbane
Prowess : —
Defenses: —
Using this ability, a character can call “Piercing Strike X,” instead of a normal Piercing Strike, where X is their weapon’s current maximum Power Strike damage. The prowess cost for this effect is still 1, and the damage still targets the victim’s arm. In addition, the player gains the Shield Break ability.
Shieldbearer
Prowess : Stonewall reduced to 1
Defenses: —
A character with this ability gains Greater Stonewall, and they reduce the prowess cost of normal Stonewall to 1. As well, Shieldbearers may ignore any drop effect (calling “Shieldbearer”), magical or otherwise, with regards to their shield. Finally, as long as they are holding their shield, Shieldbearers may spend any physical feat (Strong, Tough, or Agile) to call a free Deflect against any attack affected by such.
Shield Break
Prowess : 2
Defenses: Dodge, Stonewall
This ability allows an axe wielder to break an opponent’s shield directly. As with a Piercing Strike, a Shield Break must actually strike the shield.
Slayer
Prowess : Mortal Blow reduced to 2
Defenses: —
This dangerous ability permanently reduces the cost for Mortal Blow to 2 Prowess for the weapon type under which it was gained. In addition, the character may call Killing Strikes (3 Prowess) with said weapon type.
Sunder
Prowess : 2
Defenses: —
This ability allows a Mace user to damage objects, structures, doors and containers just as if they used a Greater Feat of Strength to do so. Often, Sunder must be attempted in the presence of a Marshal.
Steady Arm
Prowess : Thrown Subdue and Thrown Disarm reduced to 0
Defenses: —
This ability reduces the costs of Thrown Disarm and Thrown Subdue to 0. In addition, it grants the Trick Throw ability.
True Strike
Prowess : 2
Defenses: none
This powerful attack, usually called with a bow or a thrown weapon, is called as “True Strike X,” where X is the user’s maximum power strike damage in that weapon. A True Strike may not be defended against or resisted by any game effect at all (including Threshold), except for effects which specifically make one immune to the weapon type it is called with. The only way to avoid this type of attack is to actually avoid it or actually block it with a shield (and/or weapon in the case of thrown True Strikes).
Weaponbane
Prowess : Withstand reduced to 1
Defenses: —
A character with Weaponbane gains access to the Greater Weapon Break maneuver. As well, this ability reduces the cost of Withstand to 1.