This revised version of Two Weapon Combo replaces the Combat Styles:
Two Weapon Combo,
Shielding Weapon (ML) and
Active Shield Style (HB#1).
The idea is to reduce the number of different Combat Styles and create only one single style which is not as powerful as (some of) the initial styles but has a much wider variety.
As a prerequisite, TWC needs the same number of ranks for the weapon skill of the primary weapon as for the style. In addition it needs either one additional weapon skill for the offhand or one of the combat styles
Weapon & Shield (ML) or
Paired Weapon (ML) with the same number of ranks.
The allowed weapon for the offhand depends on the skill:
If
the main and secondary weapon skill group is different two separate weapon skills have to be learned (identical to the original TWC style). So, the skills are:
- Weapon Skill: Primary Weapon
- Weapon Skill: Secondary Weapon
- CS: Two Weapon Combo: Primary & Secondary Weapon
If
the main and secondary weapon skill group is identical, the
Paired Weapon (ML) combat style has to be learned for the group and if two different weapons should be used the
Multiple Weapon Proficiency (ML) talent is also required.
- Weapon Skill: Primary Weapon
- CS: Paired Weapon: Primary Weapon (and sometimes Multiple Weapon Proficiency)
- CS: Two Weapon Combo: 2x Primary Weapon
If
the secondary ?weapon? is a buckler, target or normal shield then the
Weapon & Shield (ML) combat style and the
Shield Training talent is required. Bucklers do tiny, target small and normal shields medium Crush Criticals. It is not possible to use Full or Wall shields with this combat style. The normal -5 to initiative for shields still apply.
- Weapon Skill: Primary Weapon
- CS: Weapon & Shield: Primary Weapon & Shield (and Shield Training)
- CS: Two Weapon Combo: Primary Weapon & Shield
The OB of the primary weapon is either the bonus of the TWC style bonus, the bonus of the weapon skill or the bonus of the possible secondary combat style, whatever is lowest. Possible DB bonuses of some weapons (like the Main Gauche) or shields are directly added to the DB. The offhand can be used in two different ways:
Offensive style: The OB of the secondary weapon is the TWC style bonus minus any fix DB bonuses of the weapon or shield minus 20 for the offhand (at least without the talent Ambidexterity). Both attacks are done separately and have to be evenly decreased for parrying. So it is more or less identical to the
Active Shield Style and
Two Weapon Combo.
Defensive style: It is possible to use the offhand weapon for full parrying and do a normal attack with the main weapon. If this is the case, half of the bonus of the offhand will be used as DB (but only up to +50) but it can?t be used for attacking this round. This is like
Shielding Weapon, but with an additional -20 for the offhand usage.
Main differences to the existing styles- No +5 to initiative gained.
- The -20 for offhand applies also to the DB.
- No restriction to small weapons for the shielding effect.
- Can be used with two identical weapons and with shields.
Ok, a lot of text, I know. But maybe you have a look and tell me what you think about it. The rule is not play tested, just an idea for a new house rule in my next campaign.
