Weapon Proficiencies
______________Overview
tab Proficiencies are similar in nature to things such as the Proficiencies from the popular pen-and-paper Dungeon and Dragons role playing game. A Proficiency dictates what weapons a character knows how to utilize without decapitating themselves, and what ones should remain buried in the shed out back. Below you will a find a list of proficiency examples, but some weapons may not be listed. That does not mean they cannot be chosen. Each Proficiency has a range from E - rank to S - rank, each requiring training individually. Below you will find the definitions of these particular terms and how best to utilize them in the creation of your character. If there are any questions, please contact a member of the Approval Moderation team, listed here (Provide link).
______________Terms // Vocabulary
tab Proficiencies are similar in nature to things such as the Proficiencies from the popular pen-and-paper Dungeon and Dragons role playing game. A Proficiency dictates what weapons a character knows how to utilize without decapitating themselves, and what ones should remain buried in the shed out back. Below you will a find a list of proficiency examples, but some weapons may not be listed. That does not mean they cannot be chosen. Each Proficiency has a range from E - rank to S - rank, each requiring training individually. Below you will find the definitions of these particular terms and how best to utilize them in the creation of your character. If there are any questions, please contact a member of the Approval Moderation team, listed here (Provide link).
______________Terms // Vocabulary
tab • Proficiency
tab tab → Proficiency is the term used to establish what weapons, if any, a character knows how to utilize effectively. Without a point in the appropriate Proficiency, your character does not know how to wield that weapon, and cannot invest Stamina into an attack with it.
tab • Categories
tab tab → Categories are the main heading type for Proficiencies, and serve as an umbrella for the weapons that fall under it. Their entire purpose is for organization, so there are not just lists of weapons. These are not able to be selected; only individual weapons are selected for Proficiencies.
tab • Basic Training
tab tab → When a Proficiency Point is used to select a weapon, that weapon gains Basic Training. A weapon with Basic Training can be used for E-rank attacks, but requires further training in order to perform any stronger attacks. The character gains an understanding of the weapon, but they are not professionals with it. Once a weapon has Basic Training, no further Proficiency Points are needed to advance that weapon's training.
tab • Advanced Training
tab tab → Once a character has Basic Training in a weapon, they may spend additional time to perfect their use of that weapon. A weapon is considered to have Advanced Training once it hits D-rank, and any rank thereafter. Attacks with that weapon can be made up to the rank trained. Proficiency training takes one [1] paragraph, or part of a paragraph, per rank, starting at [2] paragraphs, or parts of a paragraph, at D-rank.
tab • Proficiency Points
tab tab → Designated as [PP], these points are awarded first by the Archetype chosen at character creation, and then by ranking. Each class gives a specific number of [PP] per rank that can then be assigned to various weapons. They are non-transferable between characters unless otherwise specified, and can never be used in place of Skill Points for the skill system.
tab • Simple Techniques
tab tab → Simple techniques are one of the types of attacks found in the guild, utilizing only Stamina for any form of aggressive or defensive action. A Simple technique only counters the Stamina half of a Complex technique, and cannot touch Spiritual attacks unless otherwise specified. Likewise, Spiritual attacks cannot touch Simple attacks. All unnamed attacks are considered Simple unless otherwise modified.
tab • Combat Style Proficiencies
tab tab → While anyone can wield a weapon with one hand, more advanced abilities such as two-weapon fighting (wielding a weapon in each hand) or fighting with a weapon and shield require further training. It only takes one [1] Proficiency point to learn these styles, unlocking them for use at E-rank, and they must be trained like any other Proficiency. Some Talents and Techniques may benefit from having these styles.
tab • Intensive Weaponry
tab → Unlike normal Proficiencies, an Intensive weapon is that which is so unique in its training, use, or design that no other weapon proficiency can be used to even be close to the same level of use. Weapons that are incredibly large, or strange, fall under this category, and to use them requires two [2] PP to learn them. These weapons may have additional effects, and a member of the Approval Team should be reached out to for further discussion of the limitations, and design, of the weapon in question.
tab • Improvised Weaponry
tab → Similar to Intensive Weaponry, Improvised Weaponry requires two [2] PP in order to unlock. Improvised Weaponry is the act of using objects that are not typically regarded as weapons in place of a weapon. This does not have any specific weapons associated, and often involves just picking up something the character comes across and swinging it. Due to the unusual nature of it, and the lack of careful handling, Improvised Weapon attacks are always considered one [1] rank weaker than the rank it is being used at. Without this training, items cannot be used as weapons with a stamina cost.
tab tab → Proficiency is the term used to establish what weapons, if any, a character knows how to utilize effectively. Without a point in the appropriate Proficiency, your character does not know how to wield that weapon, and cannot invest Stamina into an attack with it.
tab • Categories
tab tab → Categories are the main heading type for Proficiencies, and serve as an umbrella for the weapons that fall under it. Their entire purpose is for organization, so there are not just lists of weapons. These are not able to be selected; only individual weapons are selected for Proficiencies.
tab • Basic Training
tab tab → When a Proficiency Point is used to select a weapon, that weapon gains Basic Training. A weapon with Basic Training can be used for E-rank attacks, but requires further training in order to perform any stronger attacks. The character gains an understanding of the weapon, but they are not professionals with it. Once a weapon has Basic Training, no further Proficiency Points are needed to advance that weapon's training.
tab • Advanced Training
tab tab → Once a character has Basic Training in a weapon, they may spend additional time to perfect their use of that weapon. A weapon is considered to have Advanced Training once it hits D-rank, and any rank thereafter. Attacks with that weapon can be made up to the rank trained. Proficiency training takes one [1] paragraph, or part of a paragraph, per rank, starting at [2] paragraphs, or parts of a paragraph, at D-rank.
tab • Proficiency Points
tab tab → Designated as [PP], these points are awarded first by the Archetype chosen at character creation, and then by ranking. Each class gives a specific number of [PP] per rank that can then be assigned to various weapons. They are non-transferable between characters unless otherwise specified, and can never be used in place of Skill Points for the skill system.
tab • Simple Techniques
tab tab → Simple techniques are one of the types of attacks found in the guild, utilizing only Stamina for any form of aggressive or defensive action. A Simple technique only counters the Stamina half of a Complex technique, and cannot touch Spiritual attacks unless otherwise specified. Likewise, Spiritual attacks cannot touch Simple attacks. All unnamed attacks are considered Simple unless otherwise modified.
tab • Combat Style Proficiencies
tab tab → While anyone can wield a weapon with one hand, more advanced abilities such as two-weapon fighting (wielding a weapon in each hand) or fighting with a weapon and shield require further training. It only takes one [1] Proficiency point to learn these styles, unlocking them for use at E-rank, and they must be trained like any other Proficiency. Some Talents and Techniques may benefit from having these styles.
tab • Intensive Weaponry
tab → Unlike normal Proficiencies, an Intensive weapon is that which is so unique in its training, use, or design that no other weapon proficiency can be used to even be close to the same level of use. Weapons that are incredibly large, or strange, fall under this category, and to use them requires two [2] PP to learn them. These weapons may have additional effects, and a member of the Approval Team should be reached out to for further discussion of the limitations, and design, of the weapon in question.
tab • Improvised Weaponry
tab → Similar to Intensive Weaponry, Improvised Weaponry requires two [2] PP in order to unlock. Improvised Weaponry is the act of using objects that are not typically regarded as weapons in place of a weapon. This does not have any specific weapons associated, and often involves just picking up something the character comes across and swinging it. Due to the unusual nature of it, and the lack of careful handling, Improvised Weapon attacks are always considered one [1] rank weaker than the rank it is being used at. Without this training, items cannot be used as weapons with a stamina cost.
______________Protocol // Rules
tab • Proficiencies are also known as “Formless Combat”, or “Unnamed Attacks”. These represent the utilization of Stamina to attack without needing to know a Style to perform it. If a character were to simply heft the largest stick nearby and swing it at someone using a defensive technique from a Style, normally the Style would win. However, by utilizing Stamina up to the rank the Proficiency is trained in, the branch-swinging character would be able to meet, or break through, the aforementioned Style defense. All Proficiency attacks are considered Simple attacks in regards to the trifecta of Simple, Complex, and Spiritual techniques, unless otherwise specified.
tab • Every character begins with a number of PP's determined by their Archetype, which is selected at character creation.
tab • Beyond that PP’s are determined primarily by the classes selected by the character. Personal Attributes may be utilized to receive an additional two [2] PP’s per Personal Attribute used.
tab • Skill Points are not Proficiency Points. These two are not interchangeable as the scaling system is completely different. Please keep a listing of all PP points you receive and where they come from on your character profile.
tab • The steps to utilizing the Proficiencies are written below, in chronological order:
- Step [1] → Calculate total number of PP’s currently allotted to the character through class, history, and any Event rewards.
Step [2] → Take a look at the listing of weapons and styles.
- Step [2a] → Two Weapon Fighting, Single Weapon Fighting, and Weapon and Shield Fighting are all Combat Styles that only take one [1] PP to unlock, whereas Intensive Weaponry and Improvised Weaponry take two [2] PP. Upon selecting one of the Style categories, you select a specific option from that Style, such as Light & Light Two Weapon Fighting, or Sword & Shield Fighting. Assigning points to these unlocks them to be trained just like any other weapon.
Step [4] → Follow this process for all PP collected.
______________Basic Weapon Proficiencies
tab • Light Weapons
tab tab Examples: Daggers, Cestus, Knuckles, Short Sword, Wakizashi, Scimitar, Punching Dagger, Hatchet, Cleaver, Sai, Nunchaku, Light Pick, Kama, Kukri, Sap, Sickle (Farming), Club, Butterfly Sword, Kodachi, Trench Knife, Tantō
tab • Single-Handed Medium Weapons
tab tab Examples: Katana, “Longsword”, Mace, Warhammer, Battle Axe, Flail, Heavy Pick, Pickaxe, Morningstar, Rapier, Sabre, Trident, Falcata, Baguazhang, Dao, Machete, Acinaces, Gladius, Cutlass, Foil
tab • Two-Handed Medium Weapons
tab tab Examples: “b*****d Sword”, Woodcutting Axe, Parashu, “Hand and a Half” Sword, Scythe, Mattock, Splitting Maul, Double Headed Weapon, Sling Blade/Kaiser Blade
tab • Large Weapons
tab tab Examples: Changdao, Zhanmadao, Claymore, Odachi/Nodachi, Ram-dao, Estoc, Flamberge, Maul
tab • Light Polearm
tab tab Examples: Bo Staff, “Quarterstaff”, Light Spear, Javelin, Gun, Split Naginata, Ji, Ngao, Man Catcher
tab • Heavy Polearm
tab tab Examples: Steel Lance, Halberd, Glaive, Naginata, Danish Axe, Fauchard, Guisarme, Bardiche, Spetum, Ranseur
tab • Handheld Ranged Weapon
tab tab Examples: Kunai, Shuriken, Bolas, Hand Crossbow, Meteor Hammer, Whip, Senbon, Tomahawk, Throwing Knives, Throwing Axes, Throwing Hammers, Blow Darts
tab • Medium Ranged Weapon
tab tab Examples: Shortbow, Atlatl, Light Crossbow, Repeating Crossbow, Longbow, Composite Bows, Windmill Shuriken, Heavy Crossbow, Javelin, Harpoon
tab • Large Ranged Weapon
tab tab Examples: Great Crossbow, Great Bow, Arbalest, Ballista, Catapult, Cannon, Trebuchet
______________Alternative Weapon Proficiencies
tab • Unarmed Combat
tab tab Examples: Offensive, Defensive, Grappling
tab • Intensive Weaponry
tab tab Examples: Larger Sized Weapon, Two-Handed Weapon w/ One Hand, Double-Headed Weapon Types, Hook Blades, Kusarigama, Great Scissors, Prayer Beads Two [2] PP are needed for each weapon desired to be unlocked.
tab • Improvised Weaponry
tab tab Examples: Pillars, Bar Stools, People, Pets, Animals, Bird Baths, Snowballs of Doom!, Beer Mugs, so on and so forth. Only two [2] PP are needed to unlock all Improvised Weapons, but they are considered one [1] rank weaker.
______________Combat Style Proficiencies
tab • Single Weapon Combat
tab tab Examples: Light, Medium, Heavy. Signifies focus & specialty
tab • Two Weapon Combat
tab tab Examples: Light & Light, Light & Medium, Medium & Medium, Medium & Large
tab • Weapon & Shield Combat
tab tab Examples: Light & Shield, Medium & Shield, Large & Shield, Tower Shield Use, Shield & Shield
”Royal Taorito”
[Editorial Log]
Lanfaer | 1/1/18 | → Added in Unarmed: Offensive, Defensive, Grappling Proficiencies under Alternate types.
Lanfaer | 5/3/18 | → Edited formatting. Added Combat Style Proficiency definition to Terms.
Royal Taorito | 5/14/19 | → Updated information to reflect changes in the guild, and to clarify process.
Royal Taorito | 8/18/19 | → Updated to reflect new guild systems.