A homebrewed signature weapon for a fighter


Homebrew and House Rules


I am preparing a “signature” weapon for each of the almost 6th level PCs in our current campaign and would appreciated input from other GMs about the one for the fighter in the party. The purpose of these signature weapons is to (occasionally) give the players a moment to shine and feel special.

The player of the fighter suggested that a “kickass bastard sword” that “glowed” would be cool. What I have in mind is a +2 bastard sword with the flaming burst special ability, and to make it a unique, one of a kind weapon, giving it an additional critical hit feature.

The feature would be that, when the sword “explodes with flame” on a confirmed natural 20 crit, that this explosion causes either the blinded or dazzled condition in all antagonists in a 20 or 30 foot radius around the PC. This condition would only last until the start of the PC’s next turn and be subject to a Reflex based saving throw (did the monsters look away or close their eyes fast enough?).

I run a “medium high” fantasy sandbox game and try to throw one challenging combat encounter per session at the PCs (and if they make a series of bad decisions, PC death is always a possibility), so I don’t think that this weapon (or the other signature weapons) would be all that unbalancing.

Let me know what you think, and thanks for your time.


A flaming sword is suitable fantastic. I approve.


I always like a weapon that can throw a good sword beam. The weapon master guide made it a +2 ability called sharding although it goes off the ranged attack bonus. Path of War Expanded did it best with the Mithral Current Wave line of maneuvers.

RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16

A +4 sword with a bonus effect feels too strong for a 6th level character. You don't necessarily need to make a really powerful sword to make it feel special. Giving it a neat effect with some narrative aspect to it can make a player feel more attached to it.

RPG Superstar 2015 Top 8

If it is a fire-themed sword, maybe it has some ties to the lower planes?

On a critical hit, as a swift action, the wielder can disappear in a brimstone cloud and reappear in another square adjacent to his target, as if using dimension door. This movement doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity and the wielder may take any actions he still has remaining on his turn. The wielder's original square is filled with a cloud of foul but harmless yellow smoke that acts as a smokestick, except the smoke only lasts for 1 round before dispersing.


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You could start with a +1 flaming sword, then step outside the rules and have it improve over time.


Ciaran Barnes wrote:
You could start with a +1 flaming sword, then step outside the rules and have it improve over time.

Yes, I'm doing something similar with my players and this works great

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