Game balance and at best it's a start. I'll be starting another thread on how to fix the Martial Archetype to bring it in line with the other 3 in terms of usefulness and/or flexibility, especially when you consider melee combatants. The Martial Archetype is significantly behind the other Archetypes when it comes to usefulness in the game and cherry picking techniques is one of the contributing factors.

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul

I'd be interested to see why you think Martial Archetypes are behind anyone. With combats occupying 2-3 encounters in a typical adventure, combat characters *always* have a chance to shine in the game. Many Martial Archetypes have abilities that they can use outside of combat, particularly if they have expanded some into specific skills or picked up some minor casting.

John

John,

Any caster who wants to can easily shine in combat, often more brightly than the Martial characters. Abilities that arguably should help differentiate the Martial character are easy for all the other Archetypes to pick up. Skill options outside of combat are very limited and very situational. If they have to pick up minor spell casting abilities to be useful, that only reinforces the point.

More in the other thread.

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul

Paul
I'm not going to say you're right or wrong, as that's not my place. However, if what you say is true, it really indicates that the Expert is at even more of a disadvantage. If skills, as you say, are limited and situational, that is the 'strength' of the Expert as defined by the rules and in many peoples' minds. At least Martial Characters have more combat options than Experts.

John

As they should.

Yes, but if Martial Characters are considered deficient, and out of combat skills aren't useful, what does that leave the Expert with is my question?

John

Out of combat skills are VERY useful. The Martial Archetype doesn't get them. Read my other thread I just posted. It's extremely long but detailed.

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul

Well Martial aren't supposed to be 'great' at out of combat skills. Their speciality is combat skills and combat talents. They get an option for 4 combat talents with 2 advancements. They can get physical ones (stealth, athletics, acrobatics, and ride) and combat (including battle, mettle, and combat skills).

As to how many are playing, Given the results of the 'informal' poll, it appears Martial outnumber Experts by twice. Here is the Link.

John

getting us back on track (aka please leave the other thread's conversation in the other thread)

Yep, back on track... Reposting this because it got lost in the wash:

I like this, I'm a fan, mostly. I would suggest combining the proposed requirements (yours and Pedro's).

"In order to take a martial technique of Tier 2+ the character must possess either: at least one technique of 1 tier lower than the new technique OR a number of lower tiered techniques equal to the tier of the new technique.

Example: In order to take Learn Martial Technique to acquire a Tier 4 technique, the character must already know at least 1 Tier 3 technique OR a total of 4 Tier 1 & Tier 2 techniques."

This offers the greatest flexibility and choices to the characters.