Introduction link h2
This week we wanted to spotlight another gameplay mechanic that really differentiates Guild Chronicles from other TTRPGs: weapons. In many systems, selecting a weapon is a primarily cosmetic choice, perhaps changing the damage you deal slightly or a handful of properties (such as reach, or an enhanced critical hit range). Weapons become an afterthought and players gravitate to a small number of “optimized” weapons that simply perform better.
In Guild Chronicles, weapons are incredibly varied and important to different builds and playstyles. Each weapon:
- Uses one of your six Attributes (for example, axes use Strength to attack, and the Staff of Haste, illustrated above, uses Intelligence)
- Provides a passive Benefit for wielding it (perhaps an additional Critical Hit effect or an increase to Healing done by your spells)
- Has two unique Strikes which are combined with Powers from your Classes (the Staff of Haste, above, can make one Strike from long range that allows you to teleport a short distance or another Strike at short range that allows you to switch places with your target)
Selecting a weapon can completely change the trajectory of a character build (how the player chooses to spend their Experience Points and assign their Attributes); in fact, some players begin building their character by selecting a weapon as inspiration for their character. And, as circumstances of a battle change, a character can switch weapons to step into a new role or to take advantage of an enemy’s weaknesses or tactics. As characters advance and find new magic items, they may find weapons with unique Strikes for exciting, new strategies!
With over 100 Attack Powers and 40 starting Weapons, there are an incredible number of creative combinations that allow for completely unique playstyles. In this article, we illustrate how weapons can really differentiate character builds and offer fun, tactical capabilities when paired with Class Powers.
Combining Weapon Strikes with Class Powers link h2
Defender with Longsword and Shield link h3
Some players opt to select a weapon that alignsneatly with their niche and fits into a heroic archetype, like the knight in shining armor. A Defender wielding a longsword and shield, for example, creates a focused, defensive playstyle.
On their turn, this protector build might apply the defensive benefit of their longsword against designate the big bad enemy, use Challenge to draw them close and force them to attack, and combine it with Guard to increase their Defense even further. This Defender also can make use of Parryif they suffer a particularly bad critical hit, reducing the damage to zero and negating all effects.
Weapon link h2
Main-Hand Weapon: Longsword link h3
Attribute: Strength
Benefit: Once per Turn you may designate an Enemy as a Free Action; you gain a +2 Bonus to your Defense against that Enemy until the beginning of your next Turn.
Guard
Main-Hand Strike
Range: Adjacent
Damage: Strength + 1d10 Physical Damage
Effect: Choose to gain either a +1 bonus to Defense until your next Turn or a +4 bonus to Defense against a single Attack made before your next Turn.
Thrust
Main-Hand Strike
Range: 2 Squares
Damage: Strength + 1d10 Physical Damage
Effect: This Attack ignores Defense equal to your Greater Heroic Bonus.
Off-Hand Weapon: Shield link h3
Benefit: +1 Defense
Powers link h2
Challenge link h3
Prerequisite: Defender Class
Action: Attack Action
Use: At-Will
Effect: Choose an Enemy within 3 Squares of you. Move them to the closest available Square Adjacent to you and Strike them. On their next Turn, your Target must include you as a Target of each of their Attacks before Attacking your Allies.
Parry link h3
Prerequisite: Warrior Archetype
Action: Reaction
Use: Limited
Effect: You may use this Power after an Enemy makes a Melee Attack against you. Increase your Defense by 10 for the Attack. If you are wielding a Shield, instead reduce the Damage dealt to you to zero. If the Triggering Attack deals no Damage, you suffer no Effects from the Attack.
Elementalist with Gravity Stone link h2
Other players might opt to select a weapon that allows for a unique trick that further enables a particular playstyle. This control-focused build makes use of Gravity Stone’s Vortex to draw targets closer to the party’s tank and into their area attacks.
On their turn, this controller build might target a large group of enemies with Howling Blizzard, combining it with Vortex to pull even more creatures into the area of the attack before the damage is dealt (using Fold Space to put one more enemy into the area if possible).
In Guild Chronicles, when you clarify effects, you can resolve them in the order of your choice, enabling this build to be especially effective even when groups of enemies are particularly spread out.
Weapon link h2
Two-Handed Weapon: Gravity Stone link h3
Attribute: Wisdom
Benefit: Your Targets that are Large or larger are treated as one Size smaller than they are.
Vortex
Main-Hand Strike (Spell)
Range: 5 Squares
Damage: Wisdom + 1d8 + Greater Heroic Bonus Force Damage
Effect: Move all Characters within 3 Squares of your Target one Square towards your Target.
Crushing Force
Main-Hand Strike (Spell)
Range: 5 Squares
Damage: Wisdom + 1d8 + Greater Heroic Bonus Force Damage
Effect: For each Character Adjacent to your Target, this Attack deals additional Damage equal to your Major Heroic Bonus.
Powers link h2
Howling Blizzard link h3
Prerequisite: Elementalist Class, Blizzard
Action: Attack Action
Use: At-Will (Spell)
Effect: Choose a Square within your Range. Strike each Character in that Square and each Square within 2 Squares (roll once and apply the Damage to all Targets). This Power deals Frost Damage. This Attack cannot injure Allies.
Fold Space
Prerequisite: Wizard Class
Action: Minor Action
Effect: Teleport yourself or an Adjacent Creature up to 2 Squares.
Elementalist with Tome of Life link h2
Finally, some players will seek out creative, way-outside-the-box combinations when they select their weapon. In this final example, when the smaller enemies in the battle have been defeated but the boss remains, the same Elementalist listed above changes their weapon from a Gravity Stone to a Tome of Life. By changing weapons, the player shifts roles from damage dealer to group supporter.
On their turn, this healing character combines Howling Blizzard with Radiant Bolt, turning their previously offensive area attack into a group-healing spell affecting all of their allies in a 5×5 area. Like before, they can utilize their Minor Action to use Bend Space to potentially include another ally in the effect.
Weapon link h2
Two-Handed Weapon: Tome of Life link h3
Attribute: Intelligence
Benefit: When you Heal a Target and the Healing would cause their Hit Points to exceed their Maximum Hit Points, any excess Healing is converted to Temporary Hit Points.
Resilience
Main-Hand Strike (Spell)
Range: 5 Squares
Damage: Intelligence + 1d8 Light Damage
Effect: Choose an Ally within 5 Squares. Until the start of your next Turn, each time they are Attacked, they Heal a number of Hit Points equal to your Minor Heroic Bonus.
Radiant Bolt
Main-Hand Strike (Spell)
Range: 5 Squares
Damage: Intelligence + 1d10 Light Damage
Effect: You may choose to Target an Ally with this Attack. If you do, instead of Damaging them, this Attack Heals them for half of the Damage rolled.
Powers link h2
Howling Blizzard link h3
Prerequisite: Elementalist Class, Blizzard
Action: Attack Action
Use: At-Will (Spell)
Effect: Choose a Square within your Range. Strike each Character in that Square and each Square within 2 Squares (roll once and apply the Damage to all Targets). This Power deals Frost Damage. This Attack cannot injure Allies.
Fold Space
Prerequisite: Wizard Class
Action: Minor Action
Effect: Teleport yourself or an Adjacent Creature up to 2 Squares.
See for yourself! link h2
Break out of repetitive, dull systems where weapon choice has minimal effect on gameplay and give Guild Chronicles a try! Our free demo includes:
- A balanced protector-style Defender wielding a Longsword and a Mace
- A mobile, fast-shooting Ranger wielding a Shortbow
- A cunning, offensive controller Armsmaster wielding a Staff of Frost
- A resilient, front-line healing Umbramancer wielding a Warhammer and Shield
- A tactical, high-damage Elementalist wielding a Staff of Haste
- A balanced and flexible spellcasting Wylder wielding a Tome of Blood
Download the Quick Start rules and these premade characters at: Fires in the Night
Ready to feature this game at your gaming table? Head over to our Kickstarter and pick up a digital or physical copy of the Core Rules or a gaming kit for your whole crew! You’ll be glad you did! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/guildchronicles/guild-chronicles
We’re honored to be a featured project on Kickstarter! Our Kickstarter Campaign is running through April 21st in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month. If you want a new TTRPG to try, or are interested in how role playing games can foster social emotional skills, we’d love for you to check it out!
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