How to Fight: Weapon Mastery
Here is where I detail the way we implemented Weapon Mastery. There’s two ways this goes. Either generalize for the purpose of keeping the rules concise, or each weapon gets it’s very own entry. All attempts at generalization leaved something to be desired, usually because so much flavor is lost. But keeping an entry for each weapon is an arduous task. Fortunately, Marco Delmonte did a lot of that work for me and the rules below take quite a bit from his work. This list is not complete, and covers mostly the weapons are are included in the main BECMI rule books. I have not included rules for firearms in these rules. In the old game I went through several iterations and never settled on anything that play tested well. However, I did really like how Lamentations of the Flame Princess organized their firearm rules. So guns will be getting their own section and I will be including their own weapon mastery tables there.
The Weapons
Bastard Sword
This sword is the halfway point between a long sword and a two handed sword. It can be used in one or two hands and has different stats based on how many hands are being used. I will typically depict this sword as the type of sword Fiore dei Liberi depicts in his books.
Cost: 20gp
Enc: 80cn
HP: 90
| Rank | Range | Damage | Defense | Special |
| Basic | — | 1h:1d6+1 2h: 1d8+1 | — | — |
| Skilled | — | 1h: 1d6+3 2h:1d8+3 | 1h: -1AC (1) 2h: — | 1h: — 2h: Deflect (1) |
| Expert | 1h: — 2h: –/–/5 | 1h: 1d6+5 2h: 1d8+5 | 1h: -2AC (2) 2h: -1AC (1) | 1h: Deflect (1) 2h: Deflect (1) |
| Master | 1h: — 2h: –/–/5 | 1h: 1d8+8 2h: 1d10+8 | 1h: -3AC (2) 2h: -2AC (2) | 1h: Deflect (1) 2h: Deflect (2) |
| Grand Master | 1h: — 2h: –/5/10 | 1h: 1d8+10 2h: 1d12+10 | 1h: -4AC (3) 2h: -3AC (2) | 1h: Deflect (2) 2h: Deflect (3) |
Battle Axe
This axe is a huge one-handed axe of the type that graces Conan novel covers and alternatively a dwarven weapon of great reputation.
Cost: 7 gp
Enc: 60cn
HP: 100
| Rank | Range | Damage | Defense | Special |
| Basic | — | 1d8 | — | — |
| Skilled | — | 1d8+2 | -2AC (2) | Delay |
| Expert | –/5/10 | 1d8+4 | -2AC (2) | Delay |
| Master | –/5/10 | 1d8+8 | -3AC (3) | Delay, Stun |
| Grand Master | 5/10/15 | 1d10+8 | -4AC (4) | Delay, Stun |
Blackjack
Blowgun
Bola
Cestus
Club
Dagger
Halberd
Hand Axe
Heavy Crossbow
Javelin
Lance
Long Sword
Long Bow
Light Crossbow
Mace
Net
Polearm
Rapier
This covers all one-handed long and stabby type weapons. Small swords, 3 Musketeers-type swords, and even some more delicate thin curved blades would qualify. Darokin society prefers this weapon. This is for playing Errol Flynn, not an accurate depiction of HEMA.
Cost: 10gp
Enc: 60cn
HP:
| Mastery | Ranges | Damage | Defense | Special |
| Basic | – | 2d4-1 | – | – |
| Skilled | – | 1d8+1 | H:+2AC/2 | Deflect (1) Disarm (Save) |
| Expert | – -/10/20 | 1d8+2 1d8+1* | H:+2AC/3 | Deflect (2) Disarm (Save +2) |
| Master | – -/10/20 | P:1d12 S:1d10* | H:+3AC/3 | Deflect (3) Disarm (Save +4) |
| Grand Master | – 10/20/30 | P:1d12+1 S:1d10+1* | H:+4AC/4 | Deflect(3) Disarm (Save +6) |
* Damage used when thrown.
Short Bow
Short Sword
Sling
Spear
Staff
Throwing Hammer
Trident
Two-handed Axe
Two-handed Sword
Warhammer
Whip
