Clarity Needed on Fighter Feats

[Jhal]

Weapons Specialization and Greater Weapon Specialization: I have been told on the ask channel that these feats are no longer implemented, though I received vague assurances that the damage bonus of Weapon Specialization has been married to Weapon Focus. I would rather my character be deadly competent with an effective and flexible weapon (i.e. bastard sword) than "pretty good" with multiple weapons that do not fit my character's vision. With that in mind, clarity on Weapon Specialization is appreciated.

According to the help files, it appears that I have to take Weapon Focus: Great Blades and Weapon Focus: Double Edged to enjoy the full utility of a bastard sword. Is there any advantage to using a Bastard Sword two-handed (e.g. extra Power Attack damage) as opposed to one-handed? I could use some clarification on this topic before I burn a feat on Great Blades.

Are there other changes I should know about? (e.g., is Greater Weapon Focus still implemented?) I will admit that a particular concern of mine is damage scaling. In short, what role do Fighters perform in mid-to-late game that is comparable to what other classes can provide?

The feat system is one the many features that sets Forgotten Kingdoms above the horde of generic RP-MUDs out there. I am sure many of us have played games where the only thing differentiating Fighters (system-wise) is the kind of gear they use. That said, part of the challenge and joy of roleplaying games is developing a character build that incorporates both style and effectiveness. I don't mean any of this as a complaint, just a request for clarity so I (and maybe other newbie Fighters) can move forward with confidence.

[Lathlain]

Actually that's not entirely true, regarding the feats.

Weapon specialisation, greater weapon specialisation and greater weapon focus don't currently have any trainers present in the MUD - and neither have they ever... yet! This is something due to be incorporated in the near future (though expect to have to search hard for the greater feats!), but rest assured that they haven't been merged. The helpfiles are still (as far as I'm aware) completely accurate.

As for the role of a fighter, that's a tough question. They can fulfil a stereotypical meat-shield role just as effectively as they can serve as a respectable damage-dealer. Their main benefit lies in not needing to prepare (such as in memorising spells etc), and can be completely versatile in most situations.

[Jhal]

Actually that's not entirely true.

Weapon specialisation, greater weapon specialisation and greater weapon focus don't currently have any trainers present in the MUD - and neither have they ever... yet! This is something due to be incorporated in the near future (though expect to have to search hard for the greater feats!), but rest assured that they haven't been merged. The helpfiles are still (as far as I'm aware) completely accurate.

Fantastic. Thanks for making that clear. I am already sitting on five unspent feats at level 21; I figure it is best to be conservative rather than waste them on uninformed decisions. I was told on the ask channel that Weapon Focus gives a bonus to damage and that Weapon Specialization was not implemented. By inference I assumed they were merged. Is it safe to assume wielding a weapon two handed does not cough up a Power Attack bonus since there is no mention of it in the help files?

As for the role of a fighter, that's a tough question. They can fulfil a stereotypical meat-shield role just as effectively as they can serve as a respectable damage-dealer. Their main benefit lies in not needing to prepare (such as in memorising spells etc), and can be completely versatile in most situations.

Thank you for your insight. This is an important topic for me. In my experience, Fighters tend to lose relevancy mid-to-late game in D&D-based systems where you do not have a GM on hand to present custom challenges or hand out spotlight RP time to make up for class imbalance. I understand that the entire premise of D&D is cooperative play and not PvP, but it is reasonable for every class to have a role they excel at. Maybe I will bring this topic up at length in another thread someday...

[Raona]

Is it safe to assume wielding a weapon two handed does not cough up a Power Attack bonus since there is no mention of it in the help files?

Wielding the same weapon in two hands will increase the damaged doled out when you hit, without (I believe) impacting your likelihood to hit. You will find the helpfiles are not overly explicit about the numerical advantage of one fighting style over another, and that is intentional: we have tried to make the combat engine reasonably reflect the relative advantages and disadvantages of one fighting style versus another, such that there is not much competitive advantage to be gained by choosing based on numerics rather than IC rationale. Fighters, as a bunch (and I'm one) seem particularly prone to wanting to know these sorts of numeric details (after all, it's what we do), and some can not avoid the temptation to drive their RP and character development with it (anyone who's fought me knows I've avoided that pitfall, at least), but our hope hear is to make, as much as possible, the numbers "go away" and let you focus on RP. So I would urge you to let your PC choose what they would ICly do...if that is becoming the most deadly weapon possible, find out what you can ICly about the best choices. There are certainly those with a great deal of experience and breadth who can offer insights (especailly Tempurians...who love to talk about it).

p.s. I think you realize this, but a bastard sword employs a different specialization (great blades versus double-edged blades) when held in both hands as opposed to one. If you want to readily switch from one mode to the other, you'll need to learn (and train) both weapon types. There are several posts in these forums about the relative advantages of two-weapon vs. weapon-and-shield vs. two-handed weapon packages, but some tweaks have been made to the game in light of issues arising in these...so the best source of current information is talking with other warriors ICly!

[Orplar]

This may not be the best place for this, -but-, can we get clarification on whether or not 'greater weapon focus' and the other various fighter feats? To be more specific, which ones have been implemented into the game with trainers, and which haven't? Mostly so that some of us aren't wondering around blindly in our free time looking.

Question was inspired by Lathlains previous post saying that some of them hadn't been. Curious as to changes. I've been able to find one greater weapon focus in-game thus far.

Best Regards,
Orp

[Raona]

This may not be the best place for this, -but-, can we get clarification on whether or not 'greater weapon focus' and the other various fighter feats? To be more specific, which ones have been implemented into the game with trainers, and which haven't? Mostly so that some of us aren't wondering around blindly in our free time looking.

Question was inspired by Lathlains previous post saying that some of them hadn't been. Curious as to changes. I've been able to find one greater weapon focus in-game thus far.

My first reaction to this question was that whether or not anyone exists in the realms with the expertise you are looking for is something you can only ascertain ICly, and there is no guaranty there is, nor should it be assumed that it will necessarily be the case even after full feat implementation. I'm largely sticking with that, as I think it is the right response, but I appreciate that up and coming fighters are faced with the question of whether to save up their feats...so here's as much information as I, personally, think should be given on this point:

• There are currently a handful of greater weapon specialization trainers in the game; more than you can count on one hand, but not one for every weapon type.
• All the other fighter bonus feats currently have at least one trainer currently in-game; they may or may not be accessible to all races/alignments

[Duranamir]

Can i get a clarification on whether the various Two weapon weapon fighting feats are in game and trainable. If so whether they are accesible to Drow fighters who are in canon probably the greatest exponent of this style of fighting.

If not i would like to suggest the trainers in ther Harloth Magthere in Skullport might be a good place to add them as it is accesible to Surface siders and Drow.

Duranamir

[Raona]

I'm afraid I can not readily determine where these feats are, in the game, but can confirm that
Two Weapon Fighting
Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Two Weapon Defense

are all in-game somewhere. Please note that this is what the code reports, it is not based on my own first-hand experience.