Fire Emblem Style Weapons [3.5]

[Lix Lorn]

Emblem Weapons

Using these weapons, which are designed for Emblem classes, will vastly inflate the damage output of other martial characters. While this is, on the surface, not a downside, it could be dangerous if you’re using heavy optimisation or other fixes.

Emblem militaries split their weapons into four main categories, based on strengths and weaknesses.
Swords are the fastest and most agile weapons, but lack power.
Axes are the most powerful in terms of raw damage, but are difficult to wield.
Lances take a middle line, being not as powerful as axes but a little more difficult than swords.
Meanwhile, bows are weaker than swords, but are usable at range.

Like with tomes, more categories of weapons could exist, with differing traits.

As well as weapon type, there are five grades or ranks of weapon. Higher ranks require a higher BAB to wield, or else have the effects of only the lowest rank of that type that they can wield. Only BAB from Emblem classes counts towards qualifying for this requirement. While technically exotic weapons, the Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat does not grant proficiency with emblem weapons. A character who can wield the mundane, martial version of an emblem weapon can wield an emblem weapon, though they require Emblem BAB to use the stronger ones at their full potential.

The raw stats are listed here. Dmg is listed for a medium character. If an effect would increase n Emblem weapon’s damage by one size, increase the die size by one. (d2>d3>d4>d6>d8>d10>d12.) If already at d12, add bonus damage equal to the number of dice instead.

Rank	Cost	Dmg	Crit	BAB
Iron (Weapon)	50gp	1d8	20x2	-
Steel (Weapon)	150gp	2d8	20x2	5
Silver (Weapon)	300gp	4d8	20x2	9
Named (Weapon)	500gp	6d8	20x3	13
Mythic (Weapon)	1000gp	9d8	19-20x3	17

In the case of Iron and Steel weapons, they are generally referred to simply as ‘an iron sword’ or ‘a steel bow’, as this is an accurate description. Silver weapons are referred to in the same way, although it should be clarified that their silver colouring comes from meteoric iron, and they do not penetrate DR as if alchemical silver. Named and Mythic rank weapons possess legendary power, and have names of their own, for which some examples will be given in their weapon section.

These base weapon stats are modified by type, as follows.

Swords – Balmung, Sol Katti, Durandal, Missiletainn, Falchion. Swords have a base critical threat range one greater (19-20, or 18-20 for a mythic sword), but their damage is reduced by one die size. They usually deal slashing damage. They increase their damage by one die size against a foe currently wielding an axe. Swords are valid targets for weapon finesse.
Axes – Wolf Beil, Armads, Urvan, Basilikos, Hauteclare. Axes suffer a -2 penalty to attack rolls, but increase their damage by one size. They usually deal slashing damage. They increase their damage by one additional die size against a foe currently wielding a lance.
Lances – Gae Bolg, Gungnir, Reginlief, Siegmund, Vidofnir. Lances use the statistics as written. They usually deal piercing damage, and increase their damage by one die size against a foe currently wielding a sword.
Bows – Parthia, Yewfelle, Rienfleche, Lughnasadh, Nidhogg. Bows reduce their damage by two die sizes, but are ranged. An Iron bow has a 30ft base range, and each rank adds 20ft to that. This means that they provoke attacks of opportunity for shooting in melee. They usually deal piercing damage, and increase their damage by one size against creatures currently airborne due to their own powers, or with the Air subtype.

[Silva Stormrage]

Hm, while I enjoy your other fire emblem material I don't think duplicating weapons is a good idea. Simply because melee can already do massive damage if they wish. This makes standard high level combat incredibly rocket taggy.

I personally would only use the weapons if I wanted to make a non magical setting with magic items being incredibly limited or rare. Or if they couldn't be enchanted, I could imagine militaries using these to supply their armies instead of magic items since these are much cheaper then standard magic items and don't cost xp to use.

Also as a side note, these bows have a really short range. Is the 30ft range a max or is that the range increment?

[Lix Lorn]

Yeah, as the italicised bit says, this is dangerous when used with standard material. It's just for the fire emblem classes, so their damage keeps pace with the tome users.

The bows are meant to be that short range. They're still the longest range thing around.

[Silva Stormrage]

You might want to make them all exotic weapons (that emblem classes are always proficient with) with maybe extra penalties for other classes?

[Lix Lorn]

This is a good idea.