Specialization
The advantages of single specialization in a melee weapon are altered for characters of 1st through 3rd levels, as shown in Table 1. The +2 hp damage bonus is reduced to +1, and the attack routine is changed to four attacks every three rounds. The official advantages of single specialization are not gained until 4the level.
Double specialization in a melee weapon is not possible until a fighter attains the 7th level. Double specialization grants only a +2 on "to hit" and damage rolls.
Characters may receive double and triple specialization in missile weapons as well - a change from the official rules. Double specialization cannot be achieved until 7th level, and triple specialization must wait until 10th level, as with melee weapons. Tables 2-4 give the bonuses for bows, crossbows, and all other hurled or missile weapons. In each table, under the range columns, two numbers are given for each level of specialization. The number before the slash is the "to hit" bonus; the number after the slash is the damage bonus. The number of attacks for each missile weapon at a given experience level is unchanged from the weapon specialization Table for Fighters and Rangers in Unearthed Arcana, page 18, regardless of double or triple specialization.
Rangers suffer an odd problem when they specialize in bows. Because each Ranger must spend all three of his weapon proficiency slots in order to specialize in a bow, he cannot be proficient in any melee weapon until he attains 4th level. Some Dungeon Masters may feel this is an unfair penalty to be imposed upon a bow-specialist Ranger at the start of his adventuring career. The DM might consider allowing the Ranger to use one of his non-weapon proficiency slots as a fourth weapon proficiency slot with which the bow-specialist can acquire one melee weapon of proficiency.
Some weapons, such as the spear, dagger, and hand axe, can be considered both melee and missile weapons. Just because a Fighter is specialized in wielding a hand axe in melee does not mean he is also highly skilled in throwing that axe. Melee and missile specialization in a single weapon must be considered separately. The DM might allow a PC to obtain both forms of specialization in a weapon. For example, a Fighter who has melee specialization in the spear at 1st level might take missile specialization with his spear at 4th level by expending weapon proficiency slit. At 7th level, the Fighter takes double specialization with the spear as a melee weapon, and at 10th level, he takes double specialization as a missile weapon. The Fighter may ultimately attain triple specialization with the spear in melee and as a hurled weapon at 16th level.
Table 1
Melee Weapon Specialization
Specialization |
Experience Level |
"To hit" bonus |
Damage bonus |
No. of attacks |
Single |
1-3 |
+1 |
+1 |
4/3 |
Single |
4-6 |
+1 |
+2 |
3/2 |
Double |
7-9 |
+2 |
+3 |
2/1 |
Triple |
10-12 |
+3 |
+3 |
2/1 |
13+ |
+3 |
+3 |
5/2 |
Table 2
Bow Weapon Specialization
Specialization |
Experience Level |
Point Blank |
"To Hit"/Damage bonuses short medium long |
||
Single |
1-6 |
+2/+2 |
+1/+1 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
Double |
7-9 |
+3/+2 |
+2/+1 |
+1/0 |
0/0 |
Triple |
10+ |
+3/+3 |
+2/+2 |
+1/+1 |
+1/0 |
Table 3
Crossbow Weapon Specialization
Specialization |
Experience Level |
Point Blank |
"To Hit"/Damage bonuses short medium long |
||||
Single |
1-6 |
+2/+2 |
+1/+1 |
+1/0 |
0/0 |
||
Double |
7-9 |
+3/+2 |
+2/+1 |
+1/0 |
+1/0 |
||
Triple |
10+ |
+3/+3 |
+2/+2 |
+1/+1 |
+1/0 |
Table 4
Other Hurled or Missile Weapon Specialization
Specialization |
Experience Level |
Point Blank |
"To Hit"/Damage bonuses short medium long |
||||
Single |
1-6 |
+1/+2 |
+1/+2 |
+1/+2 |
+1/+2 |
||
Double |
7-9 |
+2/+2 |
+2/+2 |
+2/+2 |
+2/+2 |
||
Triple |
10+ |
+2/+3 |
+2/+3 |
+2/+3 |
+2/+3 |