So, I'm thinking about giving all classes martial/simple proficiency and possibly making exotic weapon proficiency a trait. Several of the martial classes actually don't have it as is, casters don't really use weapons anyway, and between proficiencies weapons really aren't that much better. Will the game break? Have any commentary?
Well the first thing that comes too mind is that having a simple proficiency barrier stops arguments about loot before they start. I can imagine a noob wizard arguing with a fighter that they want the +5 vorpal sword because "LOL Gandalf used a sword".
Really it sounds like an arbitrary barrier between combat based classes and casters but it is an important one. Weapon and armor proficiencies are one of the few things a fighter has over a caster. Removing that barrier will make the melee warriors in your group feel less special.
This is a role playing thing primarily and I do not think it would break the game mechanically to allow all martial weapons.
I'm not worried about people shouting that a +5 vorpal belongs in the mage's hands. That's immature, and rather insane. More of a problem to see who gets the first +2 strength belt.
How about with characters who are in melee but don't have martial weapon proficiency? Oracles, Inquisitors, Rogues, Clerics, Bards, and Alchemist all have frontline abilities, but don't have martial weapon proficiency. Fighter also has full BAB and weapon training over the wizards of course, and the ability to use armor.
If you allow reskins, fluff doesn't matter so much as crunch. Fluff is whatever you want it to be(within reason), but crunch is just numbers. Numbers do matter to an extent though.
I guess it would affect prc qualifications like a bard eldritch knight. Not sure if that's a bad thing.
To be honest, I'd rather boost the fighter than nerf everyone else. Weapon proficiencies aren't that powerful, and its sort of awkward to play a melee inquisitor/vivisectionist without any sort of martial weapon.
I might consider taking the suggestion though.
Oh, creativity? Is that the same type of creativity that gives the fighter skill points and out of combat class features? A class meant for melee shouldn't have a rough time in melee and have to "think outside the box" to function. That's highly dependent on the DM and game. Also, anyone can pick up any weapon and go into a town. A wizard walking into town with a greatsword on his back is perfectly possible. A vivisectionist wearing full plate might not be as viable. Its also about the character, not the class. I'm not going to tell someone who plays a barbarian their a ragaholic' from a tribe who can't read, or a ninja he has to wear black PJs or he can't play a ninja.
Also not a fan of weapon familiarity. It defines the culture, not the race. Its also completely useless if you don't want to use the weapon or if you already have proficiency. It also has nothing to do with the class. I'd rather not have to waste a trait or feat to get something I already should have had in the first place.
IMO characters should be able to "gain proficiency" through just practicing with the weapon rather than spending a permanent feat on it. Waiting until you hit a specific abstract mark (level up) to gain full knowledge and abiltiy with a weapon you haven't touched yet (feat) is a little silly to me.
IMO characters should be able to "gain proficiency" through just practicing with the weapon rather than spending a permanent feat on it. Waiting until you hit a specific abstract mark (level up) to gain full knowledge and abiltiy with a weapon you haven't touched yet (feat) is a little silly to me.
That's what the feat represents though.
I've seen proficiency sometimes done by expending skill points rather than feats - have a "weapon proficiency" and "armor proficiency" skill and have the characters level those up as necessary to learn using more and more complex weapons/armors. Still uses up an expendable resource, but one not quite as precious/limited as feats.
Look, you asked people's opinions on your idea. My opinion is it is a bad idea to give some of the more powerful classes in the game yet more power, and specifically power that steps on the toes of the less powerful classes.If you don't want people to give you their opinion, don't ask for it. If you want to be praised as a genius, stay far away from the internet.
Well said.
I really enjoy kirths homebrew rules. Instead of giving proficiency as you are suggesting, each weapon has tiers of proficiency that make them better. so a bastard sword with martial proficiency is not as effective as a bastard sword in the hands of someone with exotic proficiency.
Not sure if that is relevant, but hey it's neat ;P