So I have a new player joining a game soon, she wants to play a Jin from Samurai Champloo meets Wander from Shadow of the colossus type character. So in other words Strong Silent but deadly. Now, she is also very keen to not use shields, however, she knows this will limit her AC a bit as a martial character. She was asking me if She could have a shield equipped but for flavor not be described with one? She isn’t trying to dual wield.
So two questions, what’s Class/sub class would you all recommend? I think Fighter is obvious, but not sure which class would best suite her goals for this character.
secondly, how would you handle the shield situation?
The problem with Kensei is that a bunch of your offense comes from unarmed attacks, which may not be in theme (checking some videos, it seems to fit Mugen better).
My image of a great swordsman is the "Man in Black" from Princess Bride.
To make that character in D&D I would use a College of Valor Bard and give that character two weapon fighting by creating a "light" rapier so they could wield a main gauche without having to take a feat. Then, since they are not using a shield, they might get some other good feat.
But there are many swordsman ideals so just try to help her vision become a character. Good luck.
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Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
The problem with Kensei is that a bunch of your offense comes from unarmed attacks, which may not be in theme (checking some videos, it seems to fit Mugen better).
True enough.
The only fix I would say for the purpose of theme is to allow the unarmed attacks be permitted with the kensei weapon, but restricted to your martial arts die for damage (since monk weapons and unarmed attacks can both be substituted with the martial arts die for damage anyway).
Although, a fighter class with a dip in monk for Unarmored Defense might work as well for a more authentic feel.
The problem with Kensei is that a bunch of your offense comes from unarmed attacks, which may not be in theme (checking some videos, it seems to fit Mugen better).
True enough.
The only fix I would say for the purpose of theme is to allow the unarmed attacks be permitted with the kensei weapon, but restricted to your martial arts die for damage (since monk weapons and unarmed attacks can both be substituted with the martial arts die for damage anyway).
Although, a fighter class with a dip in monk for Unarmored Defense might work as well for a more authentic feel.
Yeah, just describe their unarmed attack as a pommel strike or flat of the blade hit.
Yeah, so maybe give her an “Unarmored” feat, and make it 10+ Dex + Con or Wisdom? That plus Battle master would definitely give her the tactical, savvy, unarmored warrior...
I would be tempted by a rule "rather than making an unarmed attack, you may make an armed attack, but do not add your ability bonus".
There is a general issue with fighting styles that the swashbuckler (single weapon, no shield) is missing. The name of the 'duelist' fighting style suggest that it might have been intended for that purpose, but in practice it's the style you use with a shield, and while it's probably the strongest bonus of any fighting style, it's not strong enough to make the swashbuckler style viable.
My first thoughts were either Fighter Battle Master, or Rogue Swashbuckler depending on character flavor and/or player preference. However, if they don’t ever intend to duel wield then they might not get quite as much work out of the Swashbuckler as they might want since that is one of the intended synergies of the subclass. If they go Fighter, they could get a bit of an AC boost without a shield if they select the Defense fighting style.
The Champion Sublclass gets two fighting styles correct? She’s entering in at LV 9.. so in that case, defensive duelist/ Duelist fighting styles for ac/bonus?
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So I have a new player joining a game soon, she wants to play a Jin from Samurai Champloo meets Wander from Shadow of the colossus type character. So in other words Strong Silent but deadly. Now, she is also very keen to not use shields, however, she knows this will limit her AC a bit as a martial character. She was asking me if She could have a shield equipped but for flavor not be described with one? She isn’t trying to dual wield.
So two questions, what’s Class/sub class would you all recommend? I think Fighter is obvious, but not sure which class would best suite her goals for this character.
secondly, how would you handle the shield situation?
Why not use great weapon fighting?
For a fighter, a Battle Master, Champion or Samurai could work
However, there is also Monk's Way of the Kensei for a bit more "no armour, agile weapon-master" kind of play-style.
The problem with Kensei is that a bunch of your offense comes from unarmed attacks, which may not be in theme (checking some videos, it seems to fit Mugen better).
My image of a great swordsman is the "Man in Black" from Princess Bride.
To make that character in D&D I would use a College of Valor Bard and give that character two weapon fighting by creating a "light" rapier so they could wield a main gauche without having to take a feat. Then, since they are not using a shield, they might get some other good feat.
But there are many swordsman ideals so just try to help her vision become a character. Good luck.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
True enough.
The only fix I would say for the purpose of theme is to allow the unarmed attacks be permitted with the kensei weapon, but restricted to your martial arts die for damage (since monk weapons and unarmed attacks can both be substituted with the martial arts die for damage anyway).
Although, a fighter class with a dip in monk for Unarmored Defense might work as well for a more authentic feel.
Yeah, just describe their unarmed attack as a pommel strike or flat of the blade hit.
Yeah, so maybe give her an “Unarmored” feat, and make it 10+ Dex + Con or Wisdom? That plus Battle master would definitely give her the tactical, savvy, unarmored warrior...
I would be tempted by a rule "rather than making an unarmed attack, you may make an armed attack, but do not add your ability bonus".
There is a general issue with fighting styles that the swashbuckler (single weapon, no shield) is missing. The name of the 'duelist' fighting style suggest that it might have been intended for that purpose, but in practice it's the style you use with a shield, and while it's probably the strongest bonus of any fighting style, it's not strong enough to make the swashbuckler style viable.
My first thoughts were either Fighter Battle Master, or Rogue Swashbuckler depending on character flavor and/or player preference. However, if they don’t ever intend to duel wield then they might not get quite as much work out of the Swashbuckler as they might want since that is one of the intended synergies of the subclass. If they go Fighter, they could get a bit of an AC boost without a shield if they select the Defense fighting style.
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The Champion Sublclass gets two fighting styles correct? She’s entering in at LV 9.. so in that case, defensive duelist/ Duelist fighting styles for ac/bonus?