[Races] Give races actual proficiency slots in their favored weapons
Dee
Member Posts: 10,447
Elves are skilled with bows and swords - more specifically, longbows and long swords. This translates to a flat +1 THAC0 with those weapons.
It would be more useful and more visibly interesting, and in the end actually slightly less potent, if instead of a flat bonus to THAC0, they just received a free proficiency point in those weapons. Same thing with Halflings and slings, dwarves and axes, etc.
It would be more useful and more visibly interesting, and in the end actually slightly less potent, if instead of a flat bonus to THAC0, they just received a free proficiency point in those weapons. Same thing with Halflings and slings, dwarves and axes, etc.
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This potent weapon was created by the smiths of ancient Myth Drannor. Moonblades are used in the long process of selecting a ruler for the isle of Evermeet. A Moonblade chooses its owner, and in the case of this sword it has chosen the elf, Xan. Only Xan can use this blade, anyone else who tries will find themselves unable to lift the sword. This particular Moonblade gives resistance to fire and gives its user a bonus to his armor class.
STATISTICS:
Damage: 1D8
Damage type: slashing
Bonus to hit: 3
Bonus to damage: 3
Special:
+1 bonus to Armor Class
+50% Fire Resistance
Weight: 4
Speed Factor: 5
Proficiency Type: Small Sword
Type: 1-handed
Not Usable By:
Everyone but Xan
Proof, C&P from the BG1 game files themselves.
The typical dagger has a pointed, usually double-edged blade, as opposed to a knife, which has a single edge and is a bit shorter than the dagger.
STATISTICS:
Damage: 1D4
Damage type: piercing
Weight: 1
Speed Factor: 2
Proficiency Type: Small Sword
Type: 1-handed
Not Usable By:
Cleric
Also, Xan's moonblade is clearly a longsword that they just decided to classify as a dagger, the graphic of it is clearly a longsword and also the damage is a 1d8 base and, correct me if I'm wrong, but that's the damage base of a longsword, and even enchanted weapons ALMOST always use the same damage base, whereas daggers use 1d4 as you mentioned.
Anyway, if the Handbook does have a clear stance on this then I'll retract my previous point in favor of what the rulebook has to say. I guess that's the price you pay for playing a class that can't be proficient in certain weapons, although the OP's suggestion does make more sense from an RP perspective. Given the in-game rules and what I believe is in the handbook, giving Xan what is effectively a longsword and classifying it as a dagger was an interesting decision.
It's also worth noting that, if BG1 is using the BG2 proficiency system, starting with an extra proficiency slot already assigned is still less potent than vanilla BG1, where a single proficiency slot in Large Swords gives you access to long swords, bastard swords, two-handed swords, and scimitars.
In addition, I'm proposing that elves get the slot specifically for long swords, not all swords - which is still less potent than vanilla BG, where elves get their +1 bonus to all swords, regardless of size and shape.
My assumption is that the +1 bonus was granted because it would have been complicated to grant a free proficiency point based on race in the BG1 engine, and for consistency's sake they extended that effect into BG2 despite the existence of two-weapon style-using rangers. I could be mistaken, though; I haven't looked at the P&P rules.
EDIT: I've looked up the rule, and in 2e elves do indeed get the +1 bonus with long and short swords, as well as long bows. Sadly, this means no free proficiency point...
BUT mages and clerics with swords and bows would be a bit jarring with the rules setup by the game. This is an infinity engine limitation I believe that weapons barred from a class are always barred, regardless of kit or race.
Should I find any P&P source for this, I'll report back here with a quote.
I did manage to find my 2nd edition AD&D Player's Handbook, which has this to say:
When employing a bow of any sort other than a crossbow, or when using a short or long sword, elves gain a bonus of +1 to their attack rolls.
So, although I do like the idea presented by @Aosaw, I'm going to side in favor of the rulebook, I trust that they knew what they were doing.
@Aosaw Just wondering what book you're using for reference that mentioned only longbows getting the +1 specifically?
The Moonblade's utility bonuses with extra Fire Res and 1AC are not used by any other vanilla BG1 weapon anyway. In fact I think it's BG1's only weapon with a boost to any defensive capacity whatsoever.
However, main char DID NOT GROW WITH HIS RELATIVES, he/she was raised by gorion, so no matter whitch race you chose every main char has the same origins, as Gorion became stepfather of main char since he/she was a baby.
What i believe is that some classes have more proficience with certain weapons than others, a racial bonus is something you are born or is input on the person by his social culture, however a class bonus is something inherent to training and effort, something a person chose to improve during his/her life.
I would really feel strange if i saw a barbarian dual handing two knifes, or a swashbuckler using a maul (don't even have this in BG, but just for the example). I would say a mage with a two-handed sword too, but then Gandalf and stuff... whatever, just forget it XD!