Inspiration from the Souls series

[Cuttlefist]

So The Souls games are absolutely one of my favorite RPG franchises, and one of the things I love about them is that you don’t actually have a class for your character, your weapon choice is your class. You pick a weapon then increase your stats to maximize damage output and meet it’s prerequisites as you upgrade it, then your fighting style is based around the speed and reach of the weapon.

I really would like to see Pathfinder go a similar route, which the weapon abilities seem to be a step towards. Such as the sweeping property on Scimitars, hopefully having feats and other options that will reward a player for focusing on that usage or allow them to better take advantage of it. Really focus on making each weapon play differently and utilize a different attack strategy, making the weapon choice an even more tactical one.

Also, and this is probably less likely for the devs to go for, prerequisite for weapon use instead of class based proficiencies. Longswords requiring a minimum strength, Rapiers a minimum Dex, some weapons a mix of both. This would allow more flexibility in builds as a character would be able to choose any weapon they are able to wield with their stats instead of only knowing how to use certain ones because of class reasons. Again, probably not likely to happen but I think it’s worth the suggestion.

And of course I want to be able to dodge roll as a reaction. That is probably the most important Souls mechanic that should make it’s way into Pathfinder. Something like an acrobatics check to move 5 feet and nullify an attack, while receiving an Armor check penalty and also being hurt by encumbrance.

Any of this too dumb or anything else from the Souls series or other RPGs you would like to see make their way into 2nd edition?

[Fuzzypaws]

I don't see them doing anything so drastic, BUT I would totally be down for each "weapon family" (longblades, axes, etc) either getting exclusive access to or at least bonuses with various actions. Such as, if Power Attack is now a base action without a feat tax (since really anyone can make a "wild swing"), then Axes and Hammers are better at Power Attacks than other weapons.

At the very least I would like to see Finesse and Projectile weapons just outright use Dex for both attack and damage without needing a feat.

[thflame]

I like the idea of a classless system, like Dark Souls where you can just pick and choose what class features you get from a master list, but Pathfinder (and D&D) have always been class based so that probably won't happen. (Maybe we will get alternate rules in a later book?)

As far as weapon based skills, there are a few weapon based combat style feats that exist. From what I understand, most aren't that good though.

We also have the issue that Pathfinder tries to be simulationist, while Dark Souls is trying to make balanced weapon move sets. Making particular attacks the sole domain of a particular weapon is kinda game-y. (Ever wanted X weapon in Dark Souls to have Y weapon's move set?) Not to mention that most weapons in Pathfinder fill a niche.

Stat requirements are kinda already in Pathfinder in a way. Keep in mind that not meeting a stat prerequisite in Dark Souls doesn't prevent you from using a weapon, it just makes your move set slower and your attacks weaker.

If you have low STR and high DEX, bows and finesse weapons will work out better for you (if anyone from Paizo is reading this, make Finesse Weapons use DEX by default). If you have high STR and low DEX, then big 2 handed weapons are going to give you better results. Likewise, Quality builds reign supreme in Pathfinder, as you can be effective with all weapons equally, just like Dark Souls.

As far as Dodging being a reaction, that's what your DEX bonus is supposed to represent. I could see having a reaction that allows you to substitute your AC for an Acrobatics Check. That would probably be worth a feat for some characters.