Community

Through all editions of D&D, only 3 aspects of the Martial Combat were always present

Weapon Arts Combat: The warrior focuses on the his knowledge of weapons and armor arts to gain the advantage in individual combat. It was represented in faster BAB/THAC0 and many feats. Classwise it is displayyed as:

• The Fighter's Weapon Focus (All) and Powers (4E)
• The Ranger's Powers (4E)
• The Monk's Unarmed and Unarmored Bonuses  (ALL)

Observational Combat: The warrior focuses on the his knowledge of his enemy to gain the advantage in individual combat. It was represented in most situational precision attacks. Classwise it is displayyed as:

• The Rogue's Sneak Attack (ALL)
• The Ranger's Favored Enemy (1-3E) and  Hunter's Quarry (4E)

Natural Combat: The warrior focuses on the his raw natural ability to gain the advantage in individual combat. It was represented as High Ability Scores and Ability increasing effects. Classwise it is displayyed as:

• The Barbarian's Rage (3-4E) and Powers (4E)
• The Druid's Wildshape (2E-3E) and Wildshape Powers (4E)

But there are other aspects of martial combat that appear only in certian editions.

Tactical Combat: The warrior focuses on the his knowledge of group tactics and morale to gain the advantage in group combat. It was represented in most situational precision attacks. Classwise it is displayyed as:

• The Warlord's Class Features and Powers (4E)
• The Druid's and Ranger's Animal Companion and Beastmaster/Spirt Powers (3-4E)
• The Bard's Bardsong (3E) and Powers (4E)

Magical Weapons Combat: The warrior focuses on the his mavical enhancement to gain the advantage in combat. It was represented in most situational precision attacks. Classwise it is displayyed as:

• The Paladin's Smite and Divine Powers (3-4E)
• Certain Clerics (3-4E)

So far we have a Weapons Arts Warrior (fighter), a Observational 'Warrior" (rogue.. sorta), and 2 Magic Warriors (the War cleric and Dragon Sorcerer).
Here's hoping for more and having the slots filed (Ooops. I said slot fitting. Don't hurt me). Mostly a true observational warrior.

Sep 9, 2012 -- 8:04AM, DontEatRawHagis wrote:

I like the idea of bringing in the Tactical Warrior again. I would like a character like the warlord who could setup buffs and debuffs on his allies and enemies. For example, maybe he can fake an attack against an enemy so an ally gets advantage or grant an ally a second strike against an enemy within range. 

I am not a fan of Magical Weapon users, but Swordmage seemed to be based on that. Fighters with Magical Weapons seemed to be the only way to make Fighters viable in later tiers in 3.5e. At least that is what I was told by the 3.5e veterans I play with.

It was less magical weapons and armor, and more magical everything else.


I want a Tactical Warrior too.
I want to be a halfling warlord, sit on a half-orc's soldier barbarian's shoulders, and order him and the rest of the party around.

Missing from this list is the guy who sets traps and then get's his enemies to fall into them.

Sep 10, 2012 -- 11:39AM, Ed_Warlord wrote:

The Fighter's Weapon Focus (All) and Powers (4E)

I'd never heard of weapon focus in D&D or AD&D.  I stopped playing in the mid-80s.

Weapon Specialization, in 1e Unearthed Arcana, c1983, IIRC... :google: ... OK, 1985, you might have missed it...

It was broken up into specialization and 'focus' in 3e, and 'specialization' was absent from 4e (focus was there, and later Expertise) until it made an unrelated terminological come-back in Essentials.  FWIW.