Sorry if this was already discussed, couldn't find it using the search engine.

How are you dealing with Weapon Skill specialization? It seems there is a conflict between the listed specializations at the skill description and the explanation about what the weapon groups are at the equipment chapter and list. I'm a little troubled by it because a specialization on Ordinary Weapons seems too broad, and at the same time if it isn't a specialization (which would be Hand Weapons or even Longsword), why there are weapon groups at all?

Thanks in advance for sharing your opinions and ways of playing.

Specilization goes to the individual weapon unless heavily justified. Weapon groups allow for better sorting and give a little flavour, not everything needs to have a mechanic behind it.

Fenderstat said:

My opinion of course! Not gospel.

As a general rule, I would ignore any example specializations listed in the book. They are all over the place.

Doc, the Weasel said:

What do you use, Doc?

Pedro Lunaris said:

Right now the characters in my group use the groups in the equipment section. If I started a new game, I may set it at thematic groups, ala swords, axes, spears, bows, firearms, etc.

My original point, though, is that I would discard what the book says about specialties. Just use your own best judgement.

Doc, the Weasel said:

Yes, I started using exactly the specialization listed in the Core Rulebook (the same on Player's Guide, I think...), and I don't think I found a practical problem with those other than Weapon Skill. Ok, what happends is that the PC is always getting a Fortune die on things he uses the most, like, a player in my group made a performer whose specialty is street acrobacy, and he uses this field of experience when engaged in action as someone making parkour would - and usually his descriptions are so good I let him roll for Coordination with Acrobacy even when what he is trying is almost a jump (and, of course, when it is too much of a jump, go ahead and try Athletics instead).

For Weapon Skill, though, I'm finding an Ordinary specialization gets too much under it's wing. I'm almost sure I'll propose a change in that specialization nature to my players (only one has WS trained, actually), but I don't know how narrow I'll go. So I'm wanting to know how you people are doing it. Like Fenderstat is using Longsword as a specialization, while Doc is suggesting Swords. Maybe someone is even using Hand Weapons. How it is working for you, guys?

After talking with my players we decided that the Weapon Skill specialisation would be for a specific weapon. a 1H Axe handles very differently from a 1H sword.