Arming your Warriors

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Ok, from both a role playing and powergaming perspective, I want to look at arming all sorts of Warrior classes. Here's my opinions (I thought there was a topic about this earlier, but I couldn't find it) so here goes:

Berserker: For a Dwarven one, as I have mentioned before, Hammers and Axes are the rule of the day. Put some points in Dual Wielding and you are on your way. By the end of the game, you have Crom and Unyielding and you can kick some major booty. For a non-Dwarven Berserker, I'd be of a mind to have him go with 2handed swords -- Berserkers, from a role playing perspective, should not use shields! (IMHO, of course) Maybe a few points in Flails for a blunt weapon to deal with pesky Clay Golems, or if you want to powergame, points in Quarterstaves so you can take advantage of the two handed weapon ability.

Wizard Slayers: You want him to hit, and hit often, even if he does no damage, my understanding is that a successful hit will disrupt a spellcaster. Therefore, I advocate Darts! I know it sounds stupid, but at 4 attacks per round, he's bound to hit once and fizzle the caster. Some would advocate a short bow or crossbow, but I think this kit REQUIRES a shield, given that he can't use any other items! For melee, I'd go with something fairly fast, like a short sword or scimitar -- Belm gives you an extra attack, and there's a short sword that does the same, IIRC. My feeling is that this kit is for smart fighters who rely on their wits more than big tough guys (though it was in 2nd Ed a barbarian kit) Maybe a point in mace for a blunt?

Kensai: Everyone says Katana's are the way to go, but I'm not sure -- there are not a lot of great Katanas out there. I say long swords -- there's LOTS of them. I also advocate two handed swords and quarterstaves -- they both fit my idea of a "sword saint" quite well, particularily since the historical basis for the kensai, Musashi, used bokken (wooden swords) on a regular basis. However, if you want to use dual wielding instead of 2 handed weapons, then I'd go with long swords and maces.

Barbarian: I've heard it said that Bastard swords are Role playing wise the thing for these guys, but there aren't many in the game that I like. I'd say from a role playing perspective clubs and spears, though good clubs are rare. Lotsa great spears, though, and maybe flails? Short bows might also be worth a look, they'd fit the role playing idea that the tech level of a barbarian is not the same as a Medieval society, so crossbows and long bows would be out. Axes would also be a good choice.

Vanilla Fighter: I still say long swords, I don't know why, I just love them. Crossbows are another one that I like for these guys, and Maces too, for a blunt weapon. If he's really strong and has a high CON, then two handed swords are the thing -- he's the only one who can REALLY use them effectively by putting points into them. Same thing goes for halberds, and man there's some sweet ones of those out there. I guess it depends on your stats and your style.

Archers: Well, I say short bows. He's confident in his ability, he doesn't need a huge bow to compensate for feelings of inferiority. With the Tuigan bow, he can get 4 shots off per round. He's kind of screwed when it comes to melee weapons, though -- he has a two handed weapon for ranged in his hands, so his ranger skills with melee weapons are kind of wasted. I have him use a halberd when melee becomes a necessity. Quarterstaff for blunt attacks.

Stalker: Short swords, daggers, and shields. Like a regular fighter, though, he can do just about anything depending on your style, though you want two points in a backstabbing weapon (I'd go with Long sword again, gevn the lack of good katanas)

Beastmaster: not too many options here -- I'd go with slings and clubs and quarterstaves -- I'm not sure -- can they use spears? If so, ditch the club and do spears and quarterstaves.

Vanilla ranger: You paid the price for dual wielding in your XP penalty vs a regular fighter -- use it! Long swords (not to many good bastard swords out there, like I said) and flails, though if you want to powergame, use hammers for the sake of crom, though a ranger with a hammer seems odd) Long bows as well for distance attacks.

Cavalier: well, two handed swords are a must, and long swords and maces for the early stages when you want to use a shield. Given the existance of Carsomyr, kind of a no brainer. I go with long swords here again because you give this guy the Blade of Roses and his CHA boosts nicely.

Inquisitor: A crossbow is a must for this guy, or if you want extra protection, go with axes that he can throw. I want him back a ways to use his spell-like abilities, so I don't put him in melee too often. If I do, he can either axe or flail his way through trouble -- later on in the game, give him a halberd, or if there's no other pallies in the group, Carsomyr.

Undead hunter: Axes all the way for this guy. Flails for blunt work -- no point in giving him the Mace of Disruption as it's protection is wasted. Long swords are also a possibility. and as always, if no other pallies are around, 2 handed swords . . .

Vanilla Paladin: if alone or the sole pally, then 2 handed swords, otherwise long swords, axes, crossbows and maces.

Fighter/Cleric: To compensate for his split class THAC0 problem, he's gotta have hammers for crom, and before that a strength booster and the Sling of Seeking. He should never use a two handed weapon because he needs a shield for his lower HP, though if he is the only fighter, maybe one of the quarterstaves leter on might come in handy, but I doubt it.

Fighter/Thief: Well, to start, I say long swords and short bows. Later on, two handed swords so he can UAI and use Carsomyr. If you want him behind a shield, then perhaps daggers would be a good choice for your ranged weapon, or if you're strong enough, axes.

Fighter/Mage: You're ALWAYS gonna want this guy behind a shield, so that rules out the two handed weapons. His HP will be the lowest of any fighter, so he's going to want to hit first if he gets into melee -- short swords, scimitars or daggers for this fellow.

That's my take, any critiques?

 

IMO your descriptions are okay (it is a long post though so I might have missed something). My only remark can be read below.

Not necessarily. At higher levels, a Fighter/Mage will have effective protections against weapons, even Time Stop. Many two-handed swords, Staff of the Ram +6 and others can make your character very powerful in combat, while e.g. Protection from Magical Weapons is active so the attacks of enemies will be ineffective.