Proper equipment for classes #

Each class has appropriate weapon and armor types. These weapons and armor are called proper equipment.

For weapons #

When a character is equipped with a proper weapon for a specific class, they can add that class’s level to the basic score for hit checks on melee and ranged attacks (their base hit score) as well as to their power (the score used for calculating damage). Because of this, using an appropriate weapon will make it easier to land hits and deal more damage to enemies compared with weapons that don’t suit your class.

For example, one-handed swords, two-handed swords, axes, spears, and maces are proper equipment for fighters. Thus, if a fighter was to use a bow, they wouldn’t be able to add their fighter level to their base hit score or power. However, if a player doesn’t mind not being able to add their fighter level to their character’s base hit score or power, they can still use a bow. There are almost no penalties to using a weapon that isn’t proper equipment aside from not being able to add that class’s level to your character’s base hit score and power.

For armor #

The penalties for equipping armor that is not proper equipment are much stricter than those of weapons. If a character dons armor that is not appropriate, then during checks that use their class level, they won’t be able to add their class level to any basic scores related to strength or technique (that includes strength focus, strength endurance, strength reflex, technique focus, technique endurance, and technique reflex).

For example, if a ranger character, who can only wear clothing and light armor, were to equip heavy armor, then even if they performed a range attack with a bow, they couldn’t add their ranger level to their base hit score or power. The same goes for a monk equipping either light armor or heavy armor. This is so that characters with such classes won’t have inappropriate armor obstructing the actions they’ve learned. In addition, if a spell-casting class equips inappropriate armor, they will not be able to use spells at all, so be careful. Once you’ve chosen a class and you’re purchasing equipment (9. Purchasing Equipment and Possessions, p. 52), please take note of these limitations.