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Fighting Styles

-Rules for Using Fighting Styles
-New Fighting Styles

The following fighting styles have been added to enrichen the combat and provide interest to any fighter. These rules are loosely based on the advanced martial arts in The Complete Ninja's Handbook. However, these are not martial arts and may be used in any campaign at the DM's discretion.

No other warriors can profess a greater knowledge of fighting styles than the weapons masters of Citadelraven. Fighting styles are a great way for adding richness to any fighter. They allow fighters to hone their skills far beyond what is available in the Players Handbook and excel beyond the abilities of their peers. These rules assume that the character point system, introduced in the Skills and Powers Handbook, are being used.

Fighting styles are composed of several basic elements. The combinations of these elements is called a style.

1. Attack Bonus
2. Damage Bonus
3. Armor Class
4. Principal Attack
5. Special Maneuvers
6. Allowed Weapons

To use a fighting style, a charcater must be using a melee weapon. For hand-to-hand fighting styles, refer to The Complete Ninja's Handbook. Fighting Styles must be learned from a master of that particular style. While not fiercely guarded like the martial arts, fighting styles are not necessarily common and it may become a good quest for a character to find a master.

To learn a fighting style, six months must be spent with a master of the technique. At the end of that time, 2 character points must be spent. The fighter then gains any attack, damage and armor class bonuses associated with the style; he does not gain any special maneuvers. Special Maneuvers must also be learned from a master. Each special maneuver costs 2 character points and must be purchased in sequence. For instance, if a style has block 1, 2, 3, 4 and move 1, 2, 4, 6. A fighter who wants to purchase block 3 must have first purchase block 1 and 2. He does not necessarily have to buy all level 1 maneuvers first. Fighters may opt to gain abilities outside of their given style but must pay 4 character points per maneuver learned in this manner and must also find an individual capable of teaching the maneuver. Fighting styles may be employed by any class, however it takes double the time to learn and each class must pay according to the weapon proficiency rules in the Skills and Powers Handbook; meaning, Rogues, Wizards, and Priests must pay 3 character points.

There are three basic types of fighting styles passive, aggressive and methodical. Passive fighting styles are dedicated largely to defense, while aggressive fighting styles rely heavily on attack and damage. Methodical fighting style take a little from both areas of thought; combining a good defense with a deadly offense. The base bonuses for any style are based on these three basics.

The principle attack method refers to the type of weapon which these basic styles is being used. There is no limit to the number of special maneuvers that can be in one style but DM's should use discretion when letting players develop their own fighting styles. No more than two special maneuvers may be learned per experience level and no two from the same family. In other words, a fighter may learn a block maneuver and a kick maneuver but may not learn two block maneuvers. To see a summary of all special manevers and their effects go to Special Maneuvers.
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I have travelled the expanses of Abeir-Toril and have even ventured into the Planes themselves to become one of the greatest swordsman in history. It has not been easy. These few styles below represent the basics if combat styles. When and if I find you have mastered these styles, I might enlighten you to the more complex and difficult fighting styles.

This revised version of the bladesong is based on my readings of R.A. Salvatore's books about Drizzt Do' Urden. You might then want to consider this the Drow Bladesong. I've tried to also emulate the description of the bladesong from the elves handbook but my love for Drizzt clearly shows through here. This fighting style is fiercely guarded by elves and is never taught to non-elves or half-elves. There have been many attempts made to duplicate this style by humans but few have ever succeeded.

Fighters using this style fight both one and two handed and two weapon. Ambidexterity is a common trait for fighters using the bladesong. Shields are rare, as are any weapons besides a blade. Bladesingers (as they are commonly known) have been known to yield spears, staves or axes.
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As you might have guessed, this fighting style is reserved for the hard-headed and strong fighters. That is probably why Lurch, our resident Ogre excels in this style. It is also well suited to Dwarves and Barbarians. I've had to fight off Antler several times when I suggest that he fights like an Ogre. Most of the maneuvers rely on size and strength for maximum damage potential. Masters of this technique range far and wide. If you can manage to make friends with one of these brutes before they mash you skull in, they will gladly share their 'secrets' with you. I find this style rather brutish; to even call it a style is a stretch of the imagination. Characters using this style may subtract 3 from their weapons speed factor if using a two-handed weapon.
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Shield bashing is a techinique employed by fighters who find the elegance of swordplay beyond their abilities. These individuals forged their style in the heat of battle when they found their weapons gone or broken. Shield bashing is a highly aggresive fighting technique and is highly dangerous as a shield does not have a long reach.

Some fighters of this style will employ the sword and shield style. Despite the presence of a sword however, their shield is still their primary weapon. They may never have more than one attack per round with the weapon. Their opponents recieve a -2 to their suprise when first engaging a fighter armed in this manner because the attack comes from the shield not the sword.
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It may sound like a contridiction of terms, however when you find yourself laying flat on the ground and your weapon ten feet away you may think differently. This fighting techinique is largely used by city guards whose job it is to subdue their foes not kill them.

This fighting style lends itself well to a staff or spear. Swords are also a good choice for their diversity in combat.
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This is the classic method of fighting with a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. This style allows the character to benefit from the added AC of the shield. A person with this style may use their shield to attack at a -2. However, in any round in which the shield is used as a weapon, the character loses the AC bonus of both the shield and the style.
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This is the fighting style founded and used by the Dragoon's, the elite Paladins of Bahamut. It is never taught to anyone outside of the knighthood. The Dragoon's are infamous for their use of spears and polearms. When a Dragoon learns this style, they also gain two additional benfits. The first is that they recieve a -3 bonus to their initiative when using a spear, polearm, or similar weapon. The second is detailed in their Class description.
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Reactionary is a style reserved for the extremely brave and foolhardy. Its more of a way of life really, those who use the reactionary style are certifiable. They take extreme chances with life. It is designed around the principle of movement and speed to hit the opponent fast and hard. A fighter who uses the reactionary style is usually a walking arsenal of weapons and is skilled in the use of all varieties. They are great improvisors and can adjust their tactics at a moments notice. Planning however, seems to be their weak point they prefer to react to a situation once its in full swing. Characters with the reactionary fighting style can grab any weapon and use it in the same round without the need to ready it. back to Fighting styles...

submitted by Tom Costa.

In order to use the style, the character must have a Dex/Balance of 16 as well as taking the Tumbling Proficiency. The style is a drow fighting style designed for two weapons and hence the bonuses only apply when wielding two weapons; the weapons are limited to a speed factor of 5. In addition, the character may not wear armor heavier that elven chain or studded leather.

The abilities are only one part of this style. Training in the Kyorlin Velve, also grants the fighter the following abilites. The drow gains the ability to use two blades of equal length. The drow may benefit from a -1 to initiative or +1 additional parry in the round (players choice). The drow also recieves a +2 to all feint and riposte duel maneuvers. Finally, the drow may elect to perform up to three called shots in a round with no initiative penalty.

The Kyorlin Velve has also improved upon the ability known as Pause and Silence. Simply studying the opponent for a rounds grants the bonus, no attack roll is needed. back to Fighting styles...

The warschak is a deceptive fighting style that utilizes spins, jumps and feints to bewilder the opponent. The user must have a minimum dexterity of 15, constitution 14 and be proficient in tumbling and jumping. The warrior is also limited to his selection of armor; he cannot wear armor heavier than studded leather.

The warschak style was developed centuries ago and has been passed down through a select few. The style takes years of training to master and is quite beautiful (yet deadly) to behold. Practicioners favor large volumous clothing that fans out while spinning, masking their maneuvers from the opponent until it is too late. They have also been known to decorate their weapons with ribbons and scarves that serve the same effect. Practicioners of the warschak are masters at deception and recieve a +2 on all feint maneuvers. The style is best used with light fast weapons but lightweight spears and staves are also common. Each weapon group has its own maneuvers that are unique for the stlye. For example, when switching between a staff and a sword, the user would have to relearn the style. The art is such that when fighting, the weapon and the artist never stop moving.
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submitted by Matt Boley and Brian Wissel.

Tahlzara means literally "Lightning Blade" in the elven tongue. This style was created by a society of elves that closely resembled Feudal Japanese society. It is an off-shoot of the Anzara style. Cassius Auranae is the only mortal practioner of this style on Toril. It too was taught to him by his patron Ahwehota. This style is rivaled only by the Bladesong in Fluidity and Grace. Tahlzara focuses on speed and quickly downing your opponents.
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