Samurai stupid question?

[Lanemeyer]

Would be acceptable to make a Samurai that use two katanas, or would it run out of the RP Samurai concept?

Sorry if there is already a threat about that, I didn't find.

[Infallius_Daemonium]

Would be acceptable to make a Samurai that use two katanas, or would it run out of the RP Samurai concept?

Sorry if there is already a threat about that, I didn't find.

Well according to the wiki: http://www.sundren.org/wiki/index.php?title=Samurai

They already have feats for fighting with two weapons. Though, I believe a wakazashi is smaller than a katana... so it might be odd for a samurai to use two full length katanas.

For the same reason you get the minus to your attack bonus probably.

RP wise, I couldn't say.

[Lanemeyer]

I saw it, but I thought about this Samurai with two Katanas, I would need to pick that feat for two "big" weapons fighting style, but I wanted to know if this is allowed.

[Kaeldorn]

The official version from the books only even grants you the Two-Weapon Fighting bonus feats if you are using a Katana and a Wakizashi, and the latter is essentially the same as a masterwork shortsword. You CAN technically wield two katanas, or even two warhammers if you like, but you will not get all of the abilities that the class offers. And Samurai don't get full benefit from the Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting feat (their penalty is only reduced by 1 instead of 2).

Also, the wiki page is outdated. You don't get two weapon defense, but you get something else instead... I'll go fix it.

EDIT: fixed.
In game info should also be updated shortly; it had some old data on Staredown.

[Stratigo]

Wait... you guys made an oversized two weapon fighting feat?

MY DREAM OF MAKING A DUEL GREATAXE WIELDING BARBARIAN CAN FINALLY BE REALIZED!

[Peridan]

I don't suppose we could take a look a the Samurai class? As it stands now, I find it to be a slightly more intimidating fighter without the bonus feats, and the ability to swing around swords. It's been thrown around before, but do you think we could possibly merge the Neverwinter Nine PrC with the Samurai?

[Kaeldorn]

Wait... you guys made an oversized two weapon fighting feat?

MY DREAM OF MAKING A DUEL GREATAXE WIELDING BARBARIAN CAN FINALLY BE REALIZED!

Feat description:

Type of Feat: General
Prerequisites: Str 13, Two-Weapon Fighting.
Specifics: You are adept at wielding larger than normal weapons in your off hand. You may wield a weapon of one size category larger in your off hand without penalty. For instance, a dwarf could use a warhammer and battle axe at only the base penalty of -2 for Two-Weapon Fighting. Similarly, a halfling could wield two shortswords. Samurai do not benefit from this feat as much, as they are used to fighting with a light weapon in their off-hand. They are still subject to a -1 penalty, in addition to the default penalty of -2 for Two-Weapon Fighting.
Use: Automatic.

Tough cookies


As for the Samurai 'review'; I wouldn't really say they're a bad class as they are now. They get to have two-weapon fighting feats for free without meeting dex requirements. Compared to a fighter or ranger taking the two-weapon path, they're probably even slightly better. They also have some RP flavour for those interested in it, as well as some unique abilities and bonus feats.

If the concern is that strength based two-weapon fighting in general doesn't have the same potential as the heavy 2 hander users, then that's not really a samurai only thing. And at this point, it seems that changes to alleviate that issue are undesired, or at least not top priority.

[Peridan]

That's true, if you're interested in taking only the two weapon path. But a Samurai, at least in my view, isn't necessarily focused more on the style of fighting as they are protecting their lord and carrying out their lord's wishes. As it stands now, the only viable samurai option is a two weapon fighter type, without just dipping into the class for RP flavor. In fact, there's even a RP requirement to have a lord and to obey their lord's orders to the strictest sense. In which case, the Neverwinter Nine is in fact a better class to represent the RP of a Samurai than the samurai itself.

As for bonus feats....Well. Needless to say, a fighter could do the same thing by taking lightning reflexes and improved initiative. Not that big of a deal, considering that they get far more feats as is. Intimidation? Skill bonus. Kiai Smite? Unless you have a significant CHA bonus, hardly worth the +3 or +2 to attack and damage for one attack (At least paladins can add their level to the damage bonus).

All this leads up to the capstone ability, which is nice. But is it worth the trouble? Up for debate. In short, I think that the samurai might even do away with all of the two weapon fighting feats, if need be, in order to gain some abilities that actually relate to their roleplay.

[Kajae]

Dual Scythe-Wielding Deep Gnome Barbarian Weapon Master with Power Critical.

[Thief Of Navarre]

Miyamoto Musashi was fabled to have used two full sized Uchigatana in battle, so I dont see it being a roleplaying taboo, but you would have to purchase the feats!

I still prefer the katana as a one/two handed weapon without an offhand weapon RP wise. There is a sweet looking short sword at the exigo trading post that looks like a Samurai's dirk if you want something to dual weild

[Cornuto]

looks like a Samurai's dirk

Totally misread this the first time.

[Peridan]

Ew. Gross.

[GholaMan]

Well you could always consider giving the samurai the ancestrial diasho ability. Pretty much it levels up the daisho of the samurai as they level up, so at level 20 it would be like a +5 weapon