Ninjas are proficient with the katana... which version?
- Two-handed only like a martial weapon?
- One-handed only like an exotic weapon?
- Both?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
They are proficient in it. Meaning anyway to use it. They can use it two-handed or with only one.
By contrast, a Fighter has proficiency in all martial weapons so he could wield a Bastard Sword, Katana, etc. in two hands proficiently, but not in one hand unless he also has EWP(Katana)No, that would be incorrect. In Pathfinder, unlike in D&D 3.X, a katana is a one-handed exotic weapon. To wield it at all without the -4 nonproficiency penalty, a fighter would need EWP.
You are incorrect. The bastard sword has a special rule that states a character with martial proficiency, but not Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), can wield the weapon in two hands as a martial weapon. To use the weapon in one hand without penalty requires Exotic Weapon Proficiency. The katana has this rule as well; it is detailed in their weapon descriptions.
Oh, Fighters can wield Katanas and Bastard Swords? That's so cool!
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Ninjas with katanas? Sacrilege! That's not how the real world worked...
What?
Oh, carry on then.
(someone had to say it)
Oh, Fighters can wield Katanas and Bastard Swords? That's so cool!
Kind of, its only in 2 hands, and there are better options for wielding weapons in 2 hands. In the end its just a name. You can call a great sword a katana and it won't really change the game. Nodachi is just a really big katana, they also have proficiency with it to begin with, and its better if your not planning to wield it in one hand.
Aren't Nodachis the Sephiroth Sword?
Ninjas with katanas? Sacrilege! That's not how the real world worked...
What?
Oh, carry on then.
(someone had to say it)
And someone with historical knowledge would have to respond that only after 1600 AD under the Tokugawa shogunate were only samurai allowed to wield katana and wakizashi together. Any administrative person, including some commoners (physicians, business owners), even an Eta caste (bottom caste of Japanese society) yakuza boss was legally allowed to wear a katana. Before the Tokugawa shogunate, anybody could wield a katana.
Those who think ninja weren't allowed to use a katana, do not know history. More than likely they are getting this idea from earlier editions of Oriental Adventures which got the facts wrong.
Aren't Nodachis the Sephiroth Sword?
Sephiroth's sword? I don't know what that is. I've been told its a 7-9 foot long katana thing. So sure, why not. Nodachi is essentially just a 2 handed katana as far as the game is concerned.
The primary purpose of a nodaichi (historically) was to be able to cut the rider and his horse with a single blow.
Aren't Nodachis the Sephiroth Sword?Sephiroth's sword? I don't know what that is. I've been told its a 7-9 foot long katana thing. So sure, why not. Nodachi is essentially just a 2 handed katana as far as the game is concerned.
Thats somewhat of an exaggeration. The nodachi was definitely longer than a katana. And would probably have a blade 4-5 ft in length with a handle 1-2 ft in length. So total length was probably between 5 and 7 feet. A very long sword to be sure, but it is not a sole exmaple. The zweihander was similarly a very long sword, with an approximate overall length of 6 ft. Sephiroth (of Final Fantasy) had a sword called Masamune which is described as being 6 ft long. So, it seems it would fit the description, excepting that the nodachi was exclusively 2 handed and would usually be carried on the shoulder like a polearm during combat.
See here for the description from Shogun Total War 2 about Nodachi Samurai.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that Nodachis were made because they didn't know how to make Porsches yet.
Even still, I've always wanted to make a character that uses one, just because I love how over the top it is.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that Nodachis were made because they didn't know how to make Porsches yet.
Even still, I've always wanted to make a character that uses one, just because I love how over the top it is.
Your free to do it with any character. Only takes martial proficiency. You can even get it with heirloom weapon if you'd like. I see a lot of people use them because that 18-20 crit range is actually really good.
Ninjas with katanas? Sacrilege! That's not how the real world worked...
What?
Oh, carry on then.
(someone had to say it)
And someone with historical knowledge would have to respond that only after 1600 AD under the Tokugawa shogunate were only samurai allowed to wield katana and wakizashi together. Any administrative person, including some commoners (physicians, business owners), even an Eta caste (bottom caste of Japanese society) yakuza boss was legally allowed to wear a katana. Before the Tokugawa shogunate, anybody could wield a katana.
Those who think ninja weren't allowed to use a katana, do not know history. More than likely they are getting this idea from earlier editions of Oriental Adventures which got the facts wrong.
Definitely, although the ninja usually used a shorter, cruder version, the shinobigatana, the fighting style could apply to the katana as easily as the shinobigatana. Very often if a ninja could get hold of a katana (for example, by killing the samurai using it - katana were expensive after all), he'd use it (although they very often shaved six inches off the end to use it better in confined spaces). Seriously, these were ninja - they didn't care what the law said they could or couldn't do.
Aren't Nodachis the Sephiroth Sword?
Technically, the Masamune (Sephiroth's sword) would be closer to a daikatana or "great katana"; in other words, a curved greatsword.
I wonder if there are some folks on a messageboard in Japan right now talking about the difference between longswords, shortswords, claymores, and other Western bladed weapons.
Chirashi: "Can a Highlander use a dagger?"
Temaki: "Yes, but then it is called a sgian-dubh"
Musubi: "No way, sgian-dubh is just a knife"
Temaki: "Your rice has no vinegar"
Konyaku: "What is the difference between a knife and dagger in game terms?"
Ginsu San: "My knife can saw through a nail and still slice this tomato!"
I mean, not that I had anything more important to talk about (obviously). I actually love this stuff. It also kind of makes me laugh though.
1. I'm surprised the ninjato hasn't come up yet.
2. If you want to laugh yourself sick, google Ninja sword
'real ninja sword' is even worse - NOT recommended for someone eating or drinking while reading.
I have mentioned the shinobigatana, also known as the ninjato. Basically a blade similar to the katana but slightly shorter and poorer quality.
Well, if we go historical, we may as well have them be rogues with an archetype or two ;) . But hey, that's what human bonus feats are for!
BTW, didn't ninja get IUS as a possible talent?
I would have made the ninja an archetype of monk, myself. The problem with this is that they would then suck badly, unless the monk gets fixed. As it is, monk/rogue suits them well.
It can function as both, but I'd say monk archetypes would be better for warrior mystics and the like. For subterfuge and assassination, rogues are good enough ;) .
It can function as both, but I'd say monk archetypes would be better for warrior mystics and the like. For subterfuge and assassination, rogues are good enough ;) .
Ninjas were warrior mystics. All the assassination stuff was because you needed a rep to keep the samurai out of your hair.