I have a quandry. One of my players has written up a new 8th level character as a 6th Fighter/2nd Weapon master. The Weapon Master has an ability at first level called "Ki Damage 1/day/level." This allows the character to maximize his normal weapon damage on a successful hit. He's reading it as 1/day/TOTAL levels while I am reading it as 1/day/Weapon Master levels. As you can see, that makes a big difference. (2/day as opposed to 8/day.) Which would you folks see as being the correct reading? (I know I have final say since it's my game, but I like to try to be fair so we've agreed to let the masses rule on this one!)
So, please, dicuss. And I have no problem being wrong on this, it's happened before, it'll happen again! :-)
Almost invariably, prestige classes base your abilities on your levels in that prestige class. If they mean otherwise, they will say "Character Level." Otherwise, as a rule, "Level" by default means "Class Level." Your levels in other classes are generally irrelevant to what you learn from the one you're currently focused on.
What book is the "Weapon Master" prestige class from?
I would have to agree with you and everyone else so far. If a prestige class grants you a special ability and it is per level, I would go with per level of prestige class not character level.
Later
A.
Almost invariably, prestige classes base your abilities on your levels in that prestige class. If they mean otherwise, they will say "Character Level." Otherwise, as a rule, "Level" by default means "Class Level." Your levels in other classes are generally irrelevant to what you learn from the one you're currently focused on.
The White Toymaker has it. Weapon Master is from the Complete Warrior, by the way.
I must agree with everyone else here. Per CL would be way overpowered. By the way, I've been looking for that prestige class, drow reasons. With my lack of transportation I cannot get out of town to get the book, and I have no way of getting it online. Could someone get the stats for that class for me? It would be greatly appreciated, as it plays a part in one of the three campaigns I am currently working on.
Weapon Master is from the Complete Warrior, by the way.
No, it isn't. There's an Exotic Weapon Master prestige class in Complete Warrior, but it doesn't have the ability being discussed.
The Weapon Master appears on Oriental Adventures and Sword and Fist.
"Level", when spoken of in a class or prestige class, always means "level in this prestige class" unless otherwise specified. Only if it says "character level", "total level" or "total character level" does a prestige class refer to your total levels in all classes.
The Weapon Master appears on Oriental Adventures and Sword and Fist.
It's not in my copy of Sword and Fist, but it is in Oriental Adventures. Thanks, Jonathan!
Lo and behold, the answer is right there in the ability's description (as I suspected it would be): "The weapon master can use this ability once per day per class level."
What's the lesson here, kids? RTFM!
Oops, missed that "class" part. Thanks everyone for all your help! I had a feeling I was correct (and if I wasn't I was going to MAKE myself correct! It is MY game after all :) but it is nice to be verified from independant sources. Thanks again!
Seriously, if someone could get me the stats for the Weapon Master prestige class or tell me where on the web I can find it I would be extremely grateful. My e-mail (or, the one you can send it to me atleast) is webhamster@shadowflame.zzn.com . I don't really have much to offer... I could e-mail you a copy of the next adventure I finish...? Or even the one I just started if it's not accepted by Dungeon. I could send you some NPCs if you need some (although each adventure I wright ussualy leaves the DM with an NPC s/he can use at his discretion...and occasionaly an artifact). I can also wright up an adventure just for you, tailored to the players if you so desire. I use magic arms and armour that occasionly have 2 or even three enchatments on them. Let me know if that could be a problem.
Seriously, if someone could get me the stats for the Weapon Master prestige class or tell me where on the web I can find it I would be extremely grateful. My e-mail (or, the one you can send it to me atleast) is...
Friendly piece of advice... it's not a good idea to ask for someone to email you copyrighted information like that, especially not on message boards owned and operated by a company beholden to the copyright's owner. You're not likely to get the information you want, and you're much less likely to be listened to by the regulars. You'd be much better served by either waiting until you have the chance to look at the hardcover book (and perhaps see if you like it enough to buy it) or making up your own prestige class. Matter of fact, if you try and make your own prestige class, you could even post it here and get feedback on it, or try and submit it to Dragon for publication!
TK
Almost invariably, prestige classes base your abilities on your levels in that prestige class. If they mean otherwise, they will say "Character Level." Otherwise, as a rule, "Level" by default means "Class Level." Your levels in other classes are generally irrelevant to what you learn from the one you're currently focused on.
AGREE!!! very much so
Seriously, if someone could get me the stats for the Weapon Master prestige class or tell me where on the web I can find it I would be extremely grateful. My e-mail (or, the one you can send it to me atleast) is...Friendly piece of advice... it's not a good idea to ask for someone to email you copyrighted information like that, especially not on message boards owned and operated by a company beholden to the copyright's owner. You're not likely to get the information you want, and you're much less likely to be listened to by the regulars. You'd be much better served by either waiting until you have the chance to look at the hardcover book (and perhaps see if you like it enough to buy it) or making up your own prestige class. Matter of fact, if you try and make your own prestige class, you could even post it here and get feedback on it, or try and submit it to Dragon for publication!
TK
Gotta agree with you here.