D&D (2024) Should full casters and Monks have one weapon mastery?

[Shadowedeyes]

As mentioned, there are already ways for classes without native access to obtain weapon masteries, either through feat or multiclassing. That may be a tough decision taking up an ASI for a casting stat, or slowing down new spell levels, but thems the breaks. New or revised subclasses might eventually also allow access at some point.

Monks already have some weapon mastery like effects, mostly in subclasses like Empty Fist and Elemental one, and casters of course have a bunch of spells and cantrips that can duplicate a lot of the weapon mastery ability effects.

Of course, if everyone in the game is down for it, you can do whatever you want, including the proposal. I don't think casters need any sort of boost, even minor ones, and I personally am not a fan of diluting the supposed weapon prowess of the fighter to everyone who touches a weapon. Heck, I'd probably have made weapon mastery a fighter only ability if I had been in charge.

 

[ECMO3]

Why not?

Why should spellcasters be the only classes that get core unique features?

They are not by any stretch, in fact full casters get fewer "unique" features. When it comes to class features martials have substantially more unique features already than full casters do, and still would even if everyone got a weapon mastery.

Full casters get more spells than non full-casters but full casters aren't the only classes that get spells by any stretch and spells are not "unique" to full casters. In fact even when looking at spells specifically, and Paladins and Rangers have more fenced and "unique" spell options than any other classes. When it comes to spells, what full casters have that martials don't is more spells and that is what I propose here. Martials would have more weapon masteries.

I am fine with martials getting extra weapon and armor proficiencies and all the unique class features that they get (which are much more than full casters). Where it starts to break down for me is weapon mastery and to a lessor extent fighting styles. If those things are in the game I think they should be available to anyone using a weapon who is proficient with it. They should not be fenced behind feats or multiclassing IMO.

My Wizard is proficient in a staff, has the same proficiency bonus to attack rolls, so why can't he learn to use it as well and do the things with it a Fighter or Ranger could do with it?

 

[Scribe]

My Wizard is proficient in a staff, has the same proficiency bonus to attack rolls, so why can't he learn to use it as well and do the things with it a Fighter or Ranger could do with it?

Because he's reading his spell book.

 

[ECMO3]

Full Casters should not get a Weapon Mastery outside of special cases, like subclasses that are more martial.

This is part of my issue, the "more martial" caster subclasses don't offer it.

 

[Scribe]

This is part of my issue, the "more martial" caster subclasses don't offer it.

Yeah, I'd say thats an issue with 'compatible' vs what Wizards should have done with 5.5e.

A few of the caster subclasses should have thrown in the new toy, but on the other end, having it be just for Martial characters is also not a problem.

 

[ECMO3]

Because he's reading his spell book.

No he isn't. He is practising with his staff that he is proficient in .... and why can the Paladin do all that when he is praying or whatever the heck he spends his time doing? Why can the Eldritch Knight when he too is learning the same spells I am (albeit at a slower rate).

 

[Shadowedeyes]

Because he's reading his spell book.

Pretty much. Also, it's kinda weird to call them weapon masteries, implying that they require dedication to achieve, and then everyone just kinda gets them. Not too much "mastery" in that.

No he isn't. He is practising with his staff that he is proficient in .... and why can the Paladin do all that when he is praying or whatever the heck he spends his time doing? Why can the Eldritch Knight when he too is learning the same spells I am (albeit at a slower rate).

I'd argue that is why they don't have full caster progression, since they are splitting their focus.

 

[ECMO3]

For balance purposes, no. For narrative purposes, no. While martial classes are mastering their weapons and armour, full casting classes are mastering their magic.

You could make a much stronger case for monks, but they are already OP in 2024.

That might fly if martials did not use spells, but martials do get spells.

I don't think giving casters mastery changes this. Martials still have more proficiencies (both Armor and Weapons), they still have more masteries and most of them have fighting styles.

 

[ECMO3]

I'd argue that is why they don't have full caster progression, since they are splitting their focus.

Exactly, and this is why I don't think casters (or Monks) should have as many masteries and it is also why they wouldn't get fighting styles or extra attack.

But if I am focusing on truestrike, a Cantrip which specifically uses a weapon I am proficient in as a "focus", I would say I should be a master with that weapon and able to use it to its fullest.

 

[Mort]

No he isn't. He is practising with his staff that he is proficient in ....

But he's mastering his spells which he gets MUCH better at than the eldritch knight. Sacrifices must be made.

and why can the Paladin do all that when he is praying or whatever the heck he spends his time doing?

Paladins are part martial and don't get near the spells full casters do.

Why can the Eldritch Knight when he too is learning the same spells I am (albeit at a slower rate).

Exactly, at a MUCH slower rate..

Casters get enough toys. It's great martials FINALLY get something to themselves. And even then only mostly, casters can get access (without multiclassing) if they really want to.