Fighter
Ability Requirements: Strength 9
Prime Requisites: Strength
Races Allowed: All
Alignments Allowed: Any
Automatic Proficiencies: None
The principal attribute of a fighter is Strength. To become a fighter, a character must have a minimum Strength score of 9. A good Dexterity rating is highly desirable.
As a master of weapons, the fighter is able to have weapon specialization. Weapon specialization enables the fighter to use a particular weapon with exceptional skill, improving his chances to hit and cause damage with that weapon. A fighter character is not required to specialize in a weapon; the choice is up to the player.
While fighters cannot cast magical spells, they can use many magical items, including potions, protection scrolls, most rings, and all forms of enchanted armor, weapons, and shields.
Followers
When a fighter attains 9th level (becomes a "Lord"), he can automatically attract men-at-arms.
To attract the men, the fighter must have a castle or stronghold and sizeable manor lands around it. As he claims and rules this land, soldiers journey to his domain, thereby increasing his power. Furthermore, the fighter can tax and develop these lands, gaining a steady income from them.
In addition to regular men-at-arms, the 9th-level fighter also attracts an elite bodyguard (his "household guards"). Although these soldiers are still mercenaries, they have greater loyalty to their Lord than do common soldiers. In return, they expect better treatment and more pay than the common soldier receives. Although the elite unit can be chosen randomly, it is better to ask your DM what unit your fighter attracts. This allows him to choose a troop consistent with the campaign.
Roll percentile dice on each of the following subtables of the table below: once for the leader of the troops, once for troops, and once for a bodyguard (household guards) unit.
Fighter's Followers
| Die Roll | Leader (and suggested magical items) |
|---|---|
| 01-40 | 5th-level fighter, plate mail, shield, battle axe +2 |
| 41-75 | 6th-level fighter, plate mail, shield +1, spear +1, dagger +1 |
| 76-95 | 6th-level fighter, plate mail +1, shield, spear +1, dagger +1, plus 3rd-level fighter, splint mail, shield, crossbow of distance |
| 96-0 | 7th-level fighter, plate mail +1, shield +1, broad sword +2, heavy war horse with horseshoes of speed |
| Die Roll | Troops/Followers (all 0th-level) |
| 01-50 | 20 light cavalry with ring mail, shield, 3 javelins, long sword, hand axe; 100 heavy infantry with scale mail, polearm*, club |
| 51-75 | 20 infantry with splint mail, morning star, hand axe; 60 infantry with leather armor, pike, short sword. |
| 76-90 | 40 infantry with chain mail, heavy crossbow, short sword; 20 infantry with chain mail, light crossbow, military fork |
| 91-00 | 10 cavalry with banded mail, shield, lance, bastard sword, mace; 20 cavalry with scale mail, shield, lance, long sword, mace; 30 cavalry with studded leather armor, shield, lance, long sword |
| *Player selects type. | |
| Die Roll | Elite Units |
| 01-10 | 10 mounted knights; 1st-level fighters with field plate, large shield, lance, broad sword, morning star, and heavy war horse with full barding |
| 11-20 | 10 1st-level elven fighter/mages with chain mail, long sword, long bow, dagger |
| 21-30 | 15 wardens: 1st-level rangers with scale mail, shield, long sword, spear, long bow |
| 31-40 | 20 berserkers: 2nd-level fighters with leather armor, shield, battle axe, broad sword, dagger (berserkers receive +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls) |
| 41-65 | 20 expert archers: 1st-level fighters with studded leather armor, long bows or crossbows (+2 to hit, or bow specialization, if using that optional rule) |
| 66-00 | 30 infantry: 1st-level fighters with plate mail, body shield, spear, short sword |
A fighter can hold property, including a castle or stronghold, long before he reaches 9th level. However, it is only when he reaches this level that his name is so widely known that he attracts the loyalty of other warriors.
Fighter Experience Levels
| Level | XP | Hit Dice (d10) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | 2,000 | 2 |
| 3 | 4,000 | 3 |
| 4 | 8,000 | 4 |
| 5 | 18,000 | 5 |
| 6 | 35,000 | 6 |
| 7 | 70,000 | 7 |
| 8 | 125,000 | 8 |
| 9 | 250,000 | 9 |
| 10 | 500,000 | 9+3 |
| 11 | 750,000 | 9+6 |
| 12 | 1,000,000 | 9+9 |
| 13 | 1,250,000 | 9+12 |
| 14 | 1,500,000 | 9+15 |
| 15 | 1,750,000 | 9+18 |
| 16 | 2,000,000 | 9+21 |
| 17 | 2,250,000 | 9+24 |
| 18 | 2,500,000 | 9+27 |
| 19 | 2,750,000 | 9+30 |
| 20 | 3,000,000 | 9+33 |
| 21 | 3,250,000 | 9+36 |
| 22 | 3,500,000 | 9+39 |
| 23 | 3,750,000 | 9+42 |
| 24 | 4,000,000 | 9+45 |
| 25 | 4,250,000 | 9+48 |
| 26 | 4,500,000 | 9+51 |
| 27 | 4,750,000 | 9+54 |
| 28 | 5,000,000 | 9+57 |
| 29 | 5,250,000 | 9+60 |