Weapon Expertise

Weapon expertise is a more limited version of weapon specialization. Unlike specialization, however, it is available to non-warriors. Before gaining weapon expertise, the character must be proficient in the use of the selected weapon. It may or may not already be the character’s weapon of choice.

Weapon expertise costs a ranger, paladin, or multi-classed warrior 2 character points (or 1 if the weapon is already the character’s weapon of choice). Rogues and priests must spend 4 character points (or 3, if the weapon is already the weapon of choice). Wizards can purchase weapon expertise for a cost of 5 character points, though if the weapon is already the character’s weapon of choice the cost is only 4 additional points.

As with weapon of choice, a player can declare a weapon of expertise when he first creates a character, or at any point thereafter—as long as he has the character points. If the selection is made by an active character, he should receive extensive training from a warrior who is proficient in the same weapon and has a higher experience level than the trainee.

Weapon expertise allows a character to gain extra attacks as if a weapon specialist. At first level, an expert with a long sword can attack three times every two rounds. Weapon expertise does not confer extra attack or damage bonuses, though the character may receive an attack benefit if he has weapon expertise in the use of his weapon of choice, as explained above.