Fighting Style Specialization
Urban Fighting Style Source: Dragon 256 This is a fighting style
generally favoured by Rogues, it relies on speed and deceit and is interlaced
with feints and special parries, with the idea of delaying the enemy while the
character tries to escape. To purchase this combat style, a character must
fulfill two prerequisites. First, he must have the Two Weapon Fighting Style
proficiency. Second, the character must have proficiency in a sword of size M or
less and a parrying weapon of size S. If both of these requirements have been
met, then the character can purchase this style for 5 Character Points(CPs). The
style provides several benefits, in addition to those already gained by the two
prerequisites. While using both weapons with this style the character gains a +1
bonus to his AC from one frontal melee attack per round. The character also
gains a +2 bonus to all blocking attempts. If the character chooses to parry an
attack (see pg. 27 of Combat & Tactics), he receives an AC bonus equal to
one-half his level. Finally, the character may attempt to use feints to create
an attack of opportunity against a foe. To make a feint, a Dexterity/Balance
check is required. If the check fails, then the character suffers a +2 penalty
against his AC for the next attack - he has left himself exposed. If the
Dexterity check succeeds, however, the feint has tricked the enemy, and the
character makes an attack of opportunity in addition to his normal action for
the round. The benefits and advantages of this fighting style may be applied
only if the character is fighting living opponents of at least animal
intelligence or better. The bonuses depend on the character being able to read
the body and movements of the foe. Undead and animated creatures do not give off
such subtle clues, and mindless creatures are too stupid to fall for any tricks.
If the character is disarmed in a fight, he cannot use the benefits of this
package until he has both weapons. If the character spends an additional 2
CPs on the urban fighting style, he receives a +2 bonus on all disarming and
expert disarming attempts.
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Wilderness Fighting Style Source: Dragon 256 Thc wilderness is
dangerous, and scouts often runs across orcs, ogre's, and even giants in their
travels. The intelligent character would never attack such creatures by
themselves. With help from allies, however, he can utilize this fighting style
to help bring down the enemy. To purchase the Wilderness Fighting Style, the
character must fulfill two prerequisites. First, he must be proficient in a
melee weapon of medium to large size. Second, he must be have either the Single
Weapon or Two Weapon Fighting Style proficiency. When both prerequisites have
been met, the character may purchase this style for 5 CPs. The wilderness style
provides two benefits,. First, it allows the character to make one attack of
opportunity per round, but only if he can strike from behind or if an ally is
fighting the creature at the same time. Basically, the character leaps in, makes
his attack, and then gets out of the way before he can be attacked. If
conditions are right, a Thief with the Backstab ability may Backstab with his
attack of opportunity. Second, the character can locate a vulnerability on a
creature and strike that location for added damage. To locate a weak spot in a
creature requires the character to spend a round studying the opponent without
attacking. then a Wisdom/Intuition check is, made. If the check fails, the
character cannot locate a weakness. If the check succeeds, the character has
found a vulnerability in the creature. Hitting the vulnerable spot requires a
called shot with a -4 attack penalty. If a called shot hits a vulnerable
location, the attack inflicts an additional 2 points of damage. The character
can point out the vulnerability to his allies who can then strike that location
for the extra damage. The DM may rule that amorphous creatures (puddings,
slimes, and so forth) do not have weak spots. He may also rule that extra-planar
creatures do not have such weaknesses (elementals, for example).
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