I am trying to flush out a concept for a butcher turned hero.
My first hurdle is that I obviously would want to utilize a meat cleaver for my weapon but this isn't a standard listed weapon.
I think handaxe is the most clear cross-over to utilize with respect to weapon stats and feats and such.
Does anyone have a case for something other than handaxe? Or better, does anyone know of a Paizo source with a meat cleaver stat'd?
I think you could also make a case for war razor, machete or kukri for various butcher's blades. Sorry, best I've got.
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Not a cleaver, per se, but there's always the butchering axe.
Alternately, take Catch Off Guard and use an actual meat cleaver, with an eye on [url=http://www.archivesofnethys.com/MagicWondrousDisplay.aspx?FinalName=Gloves%20of%20Improvised%20Might1]gloves of improvised might later on.
I say a cleaver rates to be an actual weapon. I second the idea to use the stats of a Kukri but I can agree with Hand Axe as well. You have any thoughts on a class?
blahpers I love that Butchering Axe!
Thanks guys!
I thought of machete also. Having used a pretty beefy meat cleaver before (don't get excited, my Father was a chef :) and a machete plenty for clearing brush. It thought that the machete isn't quite thick and weighted like a cleaver; you certainly really couldn't reliably butcher with it very well. I think the same would apply to the war razor.
I am pretty sure my GM will allow for a simple cross-over to another weapon and so the butchering axe, which does sound awesome, probably won't be in play right away, especially needing exotic weapon proficiency. I could definitely see it coming into play later for the character, especially since I am leaning towards half-orc.
I will put out the machete and hand-axe to the GM and see which he would be most comfortable with for stats. Of course, if GM-Skeld happens to read this, feel free to chime in!
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I am building mostly for flavor though it obviously still needs to function well; our group typically doesn't try to optimize.
I haven't given the classes too much thought yet beyond these
- Slayer: The ability to study his target's anatomy and make precise strikes to vital spots goes well with the theme of a butcher. Plus the ranger abilities can cross over into the ability to hunt his game himself rather than relying on supply from others.
-Brawler: Would learn towards using the cleaver and striking with the other hand as two-weapon fighting. Backstory may include a love for the excitement of a rowdy tavern after the day's work, which would bring the brawler part more into line with the theme.
- Free Hand Fighter: Simple application of butcher to hero.
Other class thoughts are welcome for sure too.
I hear butcher and I think barbarian, the vegans must be getting to me :)
Have you considered the Rough and Ready trait? You could use a handaxe as the basis for the improvised butcher's cleaver.
I have actually worked with these.
There is more than one size to a butcher's cleaver.
The big Orcish battle cleaver appears to be loosely based on the splitting cleaver, that is very sharp and heavy. It is used by letting its own weight split the spine lengthwise, with you carefully directing the individual strokes. If I were to stat it up, I would use and executioner's sword or axe.
Most cleavers are fairly to very sharp, and take less muscle than you think, because the spine and rib bones are not as dense as the leg and arm bones. They do make cleavers that will chop through even those. Note that you will use a knife to cut the muscle down to the bone, then chop through the bone with the cleaver.
^-^ Getting nice even steaks and chops isn't so important for combat uses.
With a slight reimagining, the Psychodermist Occultist might be good for this, since it's literally a class about deriving magical power from processing the corpses of your foes.
I was originally leaning towards a reimagining of the Butcher from Diablo with a giant cleaver, but I think the butcher from Gangs of New York with a war razor would fit the theme nicely as well.
I love casters, and so many of the alternate ideas suggested sound pretty cool.
Some good things to think about...
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I am trying to flush out a concept for a butcher turned hero.
My first hurdle is that I obviously would want to utilize a meat cleaver for my weapon but this isn't a standard listed weapon.
I think handaxe is the most clear cross-over to utilize with respect to weapon stats and feats and such.
Does anyone have a case for something other than handaxe? Or better, does anyone know of a Paizo source with a meat cleaver stat'd?
Is this gonna be your back-up character? 'Cause you know I'll let you use a meat cleaver as a weapon.
-Skeld
Yes, backup character for sure. I figured, but the question is what stats should a meat cleaver utilize? :)
If the DM will let you use a "regular old meat cleaver" but enchant it later then the "Rough and Ready" trait could be tough to beat. It would basically give you a +1 to hit most of the time at the cost of still being very unlikely to find your special weapon in treasure hoards or for sale at the local magic shoppe (at least until your butcher is so famous that people start crafting magic cleavers in homage to him). R&R would also allow you to use other butchery implements as weapons. Maybe you throw knives or use a cutting board as a shield.
I wonder what magical properties your apron should have. If you'd be willing to go with a goblin instead of a half-orc maybe the Feral Gnasher archetype could be fun. The idea of a small PC with a big axe/cleaver/etc kind of amuses me at least.
I am almost 100% certain that Skeld will not go for a goblin PC, but that does sound fun. Maybe I can work out something similar with a gnome or halfling.
The Rough and Ready idea is starting to grow on me. It makes me think of Segal's cook/SEAL in Under Siege. Of course, if stat'd he would probably be something like a full slayer with a lot of prof(cook) skill points.
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Yes, backup character for sure. I figured, but the question is what stats should a meat cleaver utilize? :)
1d4/x3 simple light melee weapon, 3gp, 2 lb., slashing damage.
I am almost 100% certain that Skeld will not go for a goblin PC, but that does sound fun. Maybe I can work out something similar with a gnome or halfling.
I'm also 100% certain Skeld wouldn't allow a goblin PC. However, an escaped halfling who is a slightly deranged former kitchen slave that caught a Bellflower Network ship from Cheliax to Korvosa would be a pretty awesome idea.
-Skeld