Combat Options Supplement

[artikid]

Chris,
have you ever considered adding a Shield and armor specialization plus a Shields-shall-be-splintered option to this?
I was thinking something along the lines of:

Shield specialist
" A fighter character may sacrifice a specialization slot to gain a + 1 to AC when wielding a shield, up to a maximum of +3"

Armor specialist
" A fighter character may sacrifice a specialization slot to consider armor worn one step lighter"

Shields-shall-be-splintered
"Whenever a shield wielding character is hit with a natural 20, he may sacrifice his shield to reduce damage received.
Wooden shields reduce damage by 3, metal shields by 6.
Large shields add 1 to the damage reduction, small shields deduct 1.
Magical shields add their magic bonus to the damage reduction.
If the character is not proficient with shields (like a Thief) deduct 1, add his specialization bonus if specialized."

EDITED

[LibraryLass]

I'm definitely in favor of those. Not sure about that specific implementation of armor specialization though.

[artikid]

Hi, I'm officially submitting a variant/revision with shield and armor specialization plus the shields shall be splintered rule.
Cheers
artikid

EDIT: a couple of new options are in

[SmootRK]

I like the armor and shield specialization options you have here. I will think on how this impacts my game with options I already have in place.

[LibraryLass]

Shields shall be splintered has factored in my campaigns for years, nice to see an implementation of it for BFRPG.

The one problem I have with the armor specialization rules is that there's no reason to continue to specialize in leather or chain.

[artikid]

I took the liberty to upload another version (see my previous post with the attachment) in which I included Smoot's Mounted combat clarifications and Joust, plus the rules for light weapons (but for fighters and thieves only).

Regarding armor specialization: I think that one step lighter is more than OK, I'd hate to see people waltzing around in Plate mail.
Which, by the way, is what they can do as the option stands now if they can get their hands on magic plate.

[LibraryLass]

I took the liberty to upload another version (see my previous post with the attachment) in which I included Smoot's Mounted combat clarifications and Joust, plus the rules for light weapons (but for fighters and thieves only).

Regarding armor specialization: I think that one step lighter is more than OK, I'd hate to see people waltzing around in Plate mail.
Which, by the way, is what they can do as the option stands now if they can get their hands on magic plate.

Wait. Maybe I'm misunderstanding. Can you only specialize in each type of armor once?
If so, that resolves my problem with it handily.

[artikid]

Yes, once per armor type.

[LibraryLass]

Yes, once per armor type.

Okay, then I withdraw my objection.

[Solomoriah]

Just reviewed your updates, artikid, and I like most of them. The shield splintering rule needs a shorter name, which I will apply in due time, and I need to think over the defensive values thereof. Then there's the issues of shield size and material, which are not in the Core Rules.

In fact, thinking it over, I'd like to suggest you look at the Armor and Shields supplement, and transfer the rule there if you would. Combat Options should be usable with the Core without need of any other supplements, and as Armor and Shields has those additional shield types, I suspect this rule should be there.

Also, please add yourself to the copyright statements (the one on the first page and the one in the OGL text) and add the year (so, instead of 2007, it should be 2007-2013) in both places as well.

After you submit a further revised copy, I'll review and proof it, and post it on the Downloads page. I believe it's plenty good enough.