(BG1, BG2) Add a line to specialization description that it results in bonus APR only for fighters

Bhryaen

This fix derives from this thread by Boaster on the public Bugs forum:
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/28/attacks-per-round-swashbuckler

OBSERVED:
Few classes are able to obtain weapon specialization other than fighter classes. Actually swashbuckler is the only exception. However, despite gaining the other benefits of specialization, swashbucklers don't also receive the extra half-attack per round. This is consistent with PnP rules and BG itself because only fighters receive APR bonuses by their class. However, this leads to some contention and confusion because there is nothing in the description of specialization on the Character Generation screen which mentions bonus APR as an exclusively fighter benefit.

EXPECTED:
Add a single line to the Character Generation "Proficiencies" screen description of specialization, mastery, etc. that they only apply to fighter classes.

Tanthalas

Or better, that they only apply to warrior classes.

AndreaColombo

Bhryaen said:

In other words, it's only an extra half-attack. The "per round" is good though. Then there's the issue of adding a provision regarding it only applying to pure fighters...
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/2965/bg1-bg2-add-a-line-to-specialization-description-that-it-results-in-bonus-apr-only-for-fighters#latest

Are we sure we want to add this line to the already fairly long text that shows up at CC? I think this information would be better left to the manual (I'll tag @Aosaw just in case).

Bhryaen

@AndreaColombo
It would be better if it weren't constrained to the manual, yes. Not everyone will scour the manual, so it would be nice to have a single line mentioning it there during CharGen. Actually the line would be added probably to the end of the string that includes those proficiencies after an asterisk- (24315)- like this:

Proficiency Slot Table: *
1 slot: none
2 slots: +1 to hit, +2 to damage, an extra half attack.
3 slots: +3 to hit, +3 to damage, an extra half attack.
4 slots: +3 to hit, +4 to damage, an extra half attack. -1 to speed 
5 slots: +3 to hit, +5 to damage, one extra attack. -3 to speed

* All extra attacks available to fighter classes only

... or...

Proficiency Slot Table:
1 slot: none
2 slots: +1 to hit, +2 to damage, an extra half attack. *
3 slots: +3 to hit, +3 to damage, an extra half attack. *
4 slots: +3 to hit, +4 to damage, an extra half attack. * -1 to speed 
5 slots: +3 to hit, +5 to damage, one extra attack. * -3 to speed

* All extra attacks available to fighter classes only

Does the few instances (one- Swashbuckler) warrant the extra text...? Well, with modding readily available to open grandmastery to every class, it's better to know when you're getting extra APR and not...

Dee

That seems like an odd restriction, but I'll make sure it's in the manual.

AndreaColombo

Actually, I believe it's a P&P restriction.

Humanoid_Taifun

@Aosaw Just make sure to say "warrior classes" rather than fighter classes. Rangers, paladins and barbarians get the APR bonus too.

AndreaColombo

@Humanoid_Taifun - while formally correct as per the AD&D rules, the term "Warrior classes" or just "Warriors" is never used in BG games to refer to Fighters, Paladins, Rangers and Barbarians as a whole. I'm afraid introducing it now for just this instance could potentially confuse the majority of the players (who aren't acquainted with P&P AD&D). It might be worth specifying all classes instead.

Dee

It's used already in the manual, so that's fine.

AndreaColombo

Bhryaen said:

Proficiency Slot Table: *
1 slot: none
2 slots: +1 to hit, +2 to damage, an extra half attack.
3 slots: +3 to hit, +3 to damage, an extra half attack.
4 slots: +3 to hit, +4 to damage, an extra half attack. -1 to speed 
5 slots: +3 to hit, +5 to damage, one extra attack. -3 to speed

* All extra attacks available to fighter classes only

#24315 is now fixed as shown above.

Grammarsalad

AndreaColombo said:

@Humanoid_Taifun - while formally correct as per the AD&D rules, the term "Warrior classes" or just "Warriors" is never used in BG games to refer to Fighters, Paladins, Rangers and Barbarians as a whole. I'm afraid introducing it now for just this instance could potentially confuse the majority of the players (who aren't acquainted with P&P AD&D). It might be worth specifying all classes instead.

Doesn't the potion of heroism refer to "warriors?" that sounds like a precedent.