You guessed it – another Elorii Talent

I like it. Here’s my read on the mechanical benefits.

1. +2 to Hit when dual-wielding (-2 down from -4)
2. Ability to use a broadsword when grappled / pinned (as light weapon)
3. Make broadsword effectively a gladius (Quick) they are mechanically identical, so no issues on that side
4. Comparable Avoidance

Avoidance calc:
Character’s likely Avoidance @ 1.10 (no shield) 12+ 4 (Passive Pr) + 3 (Passive In) +1 Racial +1 Rune +2 to all defenses = 23

Character’s possible Perform: Dance @ 1.10 12 + 6 ranks + 4 (Passive Qu) = 22

Now, it’s possible to get 4 ranks of dance with the right Path or starting, though that tends to be a bit more extreme. 3 ranks / tier is certainly possible which nets a +1/Tier over the +2 to all defenses. At rough calculation above there’s parity T2 and slight advantage T3+. There are other ways to boost avoidance though such as dodge etc., so not sure how much of a mechanical advantage it adds. Flavor-wise I think it’s cool and it doesn’t seem to be a mechanical disadvantage.

If we feel the need to make the Perform: Dance option slightly more attractive I’d consider a couple of different options:
1. Make a Perform: Dance roll against every attack
2. Allow the character to focus on flowing with the attacks. Grant up to a +1/Tier to the Perform: Dance Passive at the cost of a -1 to Discipline defense (More susceptible to other attacks as concentrating on avoiding physical ones).

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul

Cody,

The one piece that felt least right with the proposal had been “Light” given the weapon’s size especially when trying to use it in a grapple situation. I was thinking about the name and playing with that some. What about a mastery of the movement of the stance enabling weapon traits? It already has Impact which I’d associate with Earth. The rest are below, though the wording probably needs a bit of work.

Union of the Four Elements [Racial, Combat, Stance]
Though it has taken centuries and many lifetimes, you have mastered a level of control over your movement and swordsmanship even your fellow Elorii are hard-pressed to match.
Requirement: Elorii Bloodline Talent and Weapon Mastery (Broadsword), 6 Ranks in Melee: Balanced and Perform: Dance, [Insert Character Name]
Benefit: While in this stance you may replace any of your defenses with your Passive Perform: Dance (Qu) against any attack which specifically targets you. In addition, you may add an additional weapon trait per Tier from the list below starting at Tier 2 to complement Impact (Earth) Options: Armor Piercing (Fire), Quick (Air) & Adaptable (Two-Handed) (Water).

It’s delayed gratification as it takes a bit longer to get to the full benefit. I think that off-sets the fact that it grants a couple of extra weapon traits over time past Quick. I’m on the fence a bit about whether it feels too good. If so, I’d probably go back to the original Avoidance replacement.

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul

Wait a second…
1)replacing any defense is equivalent to replacing all defenses
2) only Avoidance should be replaced. Scenario: in the midst of combat, a Psion attempts to Thrall the character. He would hit, but wait! this footloose and fancy-free Elorii just switched from Gundam Style to doing the Carlton! His brain just got tougher!!!!
3) The Defense bonus is NOT equivalent. Barring other chicanery, a T5 character with Passive 4s in TWO attributes would have (probably) a 30 Avoidance. (5 2 point advances). Using Passive Dance, the character needs to advance ONE attribute. Assuming max base ranks in Dance and a 4 Passive, this character would have a 35 in ALL defenses. This doesnt even take into account other chicanery or bonus ranks from other sources (Paths, etc)….like +1 from Tal Kanath. 6 bonus points in 1 defense is huge on it’s own. Take into account that a T5 Adversary with Weapon Mastery will miss this character 50% of the time in a toe-to-toe fight out in the open.

Just to chime in… Matt, you stole my thunder. I agree completely.

Being able to add in additional weapon traits should also help improve the ‘beefiness’ of this special talent without going too far.

Scott

Union of the Four Elements [Racial, Combat]
Though it has taken centuries and many lifetimes, you have mastered a level of control over your movement and swordsmanship even your fellow Elorii are hard-pressed to match.
Requirement: Elorii Bloodline Talent and Weapon Mastery (a single, non-light sword) (ta), 6 Ranks in Melee: Balanced and Perform: Dance, [Insert Character Name]
Benefit: While wielding the sword for which you have Weapon Mastery you may add one of the following Weapon Qualities to that sword per Character Tier after Tier I: Impact (Earth), Armor Piercing (Fire), Quick (Air), and Adaptable (Two-Handed) (Water). You may choose to add the additional Qualities in any order. Additionally, as a Push 2 action when an attack upon you is declared, you may replace your Avoidance Defense with your Passive Perform: Dance (Qu).

Updated with a clarification, pending other people review

Works for me.

Scott