AD&D 1st Edition Question about Weapons

[David Kot]

Quick question:
Playing a nostalgic AD&D 1st Edition game, but I'm still new as a GM. Adding selected pieces from Unearther Arcana, specifically, weapon specialization, begs this question:
1. How many weapon proficiency slots does a half-orc cleric/assassin have (cleric=2; assassin=3)? Do I add them both together (5), or take the best of both (like saving throws). Were this a multiclass fighter/something, could he take multiple weapon specializations at 1st level?

Thanks in advance!

[Rezdave]

David Kot wrote:

Quick question:

Playing a nostalgic AD&D 1st Edition game, but I'm still new as a GM. Adding selected pieces from Unearther Arcana, specifically, weapon specialization, begs this question:
1. How many weapon proficiency slots does a half-orc cleric/assassin have (cleric=2; assassin=3)? Do I add them both together (5), or take the best of both (like saving throws).

Been away from 1st Ed. so long the books are still packed up and I last moved 3 1/2 years ago. Only my 2nd Ed. PH is out just for the sake of some item pricing that isn't in the 3rd Ed. PH.

Still, if memory serves in 1st Edition one either took "best of" or else split (like HD). Either way class abilities don't add like in 3rd Edition, so I say you get 3, not 5.

David Kot wrote:

Were this a multiclass fighter/something, could he take multiple weapon specializations at 1st level?

Not sure, but a "1st Level" multiclass is really a 0.5 level Fighter, so I'd tell the PC to wait until 2nd.

FWIW,

Rez

[magnusfl]

Playing a nostalgic AD&D 1st Edition game, but I'm still new as a GM. Adding selected pieces from Unearther Arcana, specifically, weapon specialization, begs this question:

1. How many weapon proficiency slots does a half-orc cleric/assassin have (cleric=2; assassin=3)? Do I add them both together (5), or take the best of both (like saving throws).

Best of both

Were this a multiclass fighter/something, could he take multiple weapon specializations at 1st level?

Officially by players and unearthered the answer is No
As a fighter can have only one specialization by those books
however I would allow it if the fighter has the slots for it as updates from dragon later allowed it as multi specialization eats slots useful for other weapons you many need or want as it sucks to double specialize in an uncommon weapon and find you have to use a more common one your have but not proficient in just to hit a monster only effected by magic

Proud owner of a 6th print
in of the first edition which still has the white TSR wizard on the cover which i bought new in 1980 but what makes me even happier is it was signed by Gary Gyax at icon 10 in new York were he was lecturing

[Valegrim]

yep, only a straight fighter type may specialize by the rules; you can of course allow anything you want, but specialization is not allowed for non fighters or multiclass persons; a human with two classess in which one is a fighter may do so, but that is completely different ie as in a human going for the old bard which starts with up to 7 levels of fighter before you switch classes to rogue.

a cavelier and paladins have their own in class specialization and therefore may not use the fighter specialization table either for instance.

[David Kot]

But wait- Ranger's CAN specialize, from Unearthed Arcana. Specializing in the bow uses all 3 of their weapon proficiencies, though :( With Paladin being moved from the fighter sub-class to the Cavalier subclass (blech), this would leave only the Ranger and Barbarian under the Fighter's umbrella.

So, as I understand it, we'd (BTB) take the best of both worlds, and only a fighter or ranger could specialize (but not a fighter/cleric, for example).

I think I'd allow a fighter/?? to specialize as a houserule, unless I'm missing something.

I'm having a lot of fun with 1st Edition, because I'm squashing the munhkin inklings my group has so often, and avoiding being bogged down in character generation rules. This is especially why I want to limit what pours out of UnEarthed Arcana (I'm the only one in the group allowed to use the reference, although other are familiar with its general contents). Thanks, everyone!

[Valegrim]

well, it will really change your game balance; I let clerics of fighter dieties specialize, but just keep in mind that the more people you get specialized the more they will just wade through your monsters; also, you will certainly want to consider having a few of your monsters specialize that are basically fighters to maintain a little edgyness in your fights; keep your monsters a bit unpredictable so your players dont get cocky