#thunderstriker

A gratuitous Logan for your consideration

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>>makes art blog >>doesn't use it as art blog >>"disappointed in myself, why don't i ever post any of my art?" >>uses tumblr editor >>"ah. that's why."

Starting a series where I send some guys to explore the wilderness and catalog native species! Here's Squad I, with more to come!

- Lucas and Dobie belong to @javigameboy

Getting a little extra damage out of a weapon by wielding two or using one in both hands is a common technique, but it tends to leave one a little weaker on the defensive side of things. Today’s archetype seeks to not only correct this, but combine two-handed and two-weapon fighting training together, switching between fighting with a single weapon to fighting with a weapon and shield as the situation calls for.

However, the nature of this fighting style means only the lightest of shields, the buckler, are suitable for the style. However, these fighters know how to compensate for it, creating a deadly fighting force.

  Thunderstrikers strap their bucklers to their arms, freeing up their grip to wield a single weapon with both hands.

Normally, bucklers are to light and small to be used to strike a foe, but these warriors are masters of using their own strength to make the tiny shield strike above its weight class.

Furthermore, these fighters know how to use any supernatural hardness and resistance against foes, striking with even greater power.

Just as they train with two-handed weapons, they also train to wield their shields alongside a single-handed weapon with grace and surprising accuracy.

Despite their skill with fighting with an equipped shield, most have trouble using the shield both defensively and offensively. Eventually, however, they learn to keep their shield at least partially ready at all times, though they lose out on any magical benefits, they can still use various shield techniques.

Furthermore, eventually they negate all problems with their accuracy when fighting with weapon and buckler.

Finally, they similarly perfect using their defense and offense at the same time, blocking even as they strike.

An interesting archetype, this can be used for a mixed build that combines defensive feats with offensive ones, and can vary between two different combat styles, either with multiple weapons or a single one that can be wielded in one hand. The key here is versatility, shifting between a defensive stance to an attack stance with either multiple strikes or few powerful ones when the foe drops their guard. Partner with a debuffing/control character for best results.

  This archetype seems like a bit of a jack of all trades, master of none. As such, I imagine it to be favored in lands where practicality trumps the art form, and where many threats require different strategies to beat. On the other hand, it also feels like a separate style in and of itself.

    In the dwarven nation of Alogna, (pronounced alo-nya), warhammers and earthbreakers are always made as part of a matching set thanks to the popularity of the thunderstrike combat style. However, the noqual-headed warhammer of the royal family has gone missing, leading to a great upset. The group that recovers it would be paid a handsome bounty.

  When a rival grew jealous of his fame in the arena, Varem Shatter-steel lost his life when someone magically altered the weight of his buckler, throwing off his buckler and bastard-sword technique. Now, he lingers there, haunting the ring at night as a wraith with deadly spectral blade.