This skill enhances a barbarian's ability with all weapons on the All Barbarian Weapons list, but only if they are specialized with the weapon. The barbarian's rank with this skill cannot exceed his rank with All Barbarian Weapons.
The Master Swordsman gains the following bonus with their specialized weapon (or weapons) as they improve in rank.
Rank | Initiative | Damage | Defense * | Notes |
1 |  | +1 | +1 | |
2 | +1 | | +2 | |
3 | | | +3 | |
4 | | +1 | +4 | |
5 | +1 | | +5 | |
6 | | | +6 | |
7 | | +1 | +7 | |
8 | +1 | | +8 | |
9 | | | +9 | |
10 | | +1 | +10 | +1 chance of critical |
11 | +1 | | +11 | |
12 | | | +12 | Gain First Strike ability, +2 critical, +1 grievous |
13 | | +1 | +13 | |
14 | +1 | | +14 | |
15 | | | +15 | |
16 | | +1 | +16 | |
17 | +1 | | +17 | |
18 | | | +18 | |
19 | | +1 | +19 | |
20 | +1 | | +20 | |
| * Defense bonus applies only when opponent is using a melee weapon that the barbarian is specialized in. |
Bonus to Quick Draw
The barbarian gains a bonus of 3% per rank to his Quick Draw bonus. If he does not have Quick Draw skill, then he does not get this bonus.
First Strike
At rank 12, the barbar gains first strike with their specialized melee weapon(s). That means that if their initiative is tied with someone else, their attack is resolved first. If their opponent also has first strike, then the attacks are simultaneous.
Bonus to Defense
The barbarian gains a +1 DEF per rank against opponents who are using a melee weapon that the barbarian is specialized in. For example, if the barbarian is rank 5 with this skill, and is specialized in all barbarian weapons, then he gets a +5 DEF when facing an opponent wielding a club or other melee weapon from the all barbarian weapons list.
Reduced Range Penalties
Each rank with this skill reduces range penalties by 3% for ranged weapons in which the barbarian is specialized.
Reduced Chance of Hitting an Ally When Firing Into Melee
For each rank with this skill, the barbarian adds 2 to his roll to determine whether he hits friend or foe when firing or throwing into melee combat using a weapon in which he is specialized.
Increased Chance of Critical or Grievous Hit
At rank 10, the chance of a critical hit occurring is increased by +1 (i.e., normally a modified SC of 90 indicates that a 5 or less is a grievous and a 14 or less is a crit - at rank 10, the chance of a crit is 15 instead of 14). At rank 12, this improves to +2 for crit and +1 for grievous.
Increased Chance of a Grievous Occuring When One is Indicated
When a grievous is indicated, it is actually only a chance of a grievous based on the class of weapon:
Class A = 20%
Class B = 60%
Class C = 30%
Each rank of this skill improves these chances as follows:
Class A = 3% per rank
Class B = 1% per rank
Class C = 2% per rank
Master Skills
A character cannot develop skill in more than one "master" skill. For example, if someone has Master of Barbarian Weapons skill, they cannot develop Master Defender or Master of Hurled Weapons skill. |