The Veteran is a battle hardened weapon master. They are able to take multiple actions in a single round to lay out damage with an intensity only the most experienced and skilled champions could posses. They wade skillfully through battle, hewing down anyone unfortunate enough to catch their attention.

In designing this class we wanted to focus on simplicity. Veteran’s get multiple attacks on a lot of their turns, and this results in a lot of attack rolls. In our combat system this leads to a lot of damage rolls for most, but the Veteran deals maximum damage on all attacks which simplifies their playstyle. Veteran’s also have a higher chance to critically strike with any weapon. Along with all of this damage potential, we wanted to keep them mobile so they can stay on their targets, and position well. To assist in this while also granting some defense they manifest the ability to make a dodge roll for any attack that comes their way. Typically such a roll would require saving a portion of your action for the purpose, but Veterans get to ignore this rule.

Like all of our classes, the Veteran abilities each have four Masteries that enhance them even further. These Masteries are chosen as you level up giving the Veteran interesting and challenging choices to make:

Increased mobility to better position to avoid and deal damage
Increased utility with the ability to swap to any weapon set as a free action on any round
Increased damage
Increased defense
Increased chance to critically strike
Increased Critical damage
Increased Health

This has always been an exciting class to play, especially when playing and running a game at the same time. The simplicity of the Veteran along with their Combat Awareness (the ability they get as a Melee type to change their action at any point during the round of combat without penalty) makes them ideal for beginners and Game Masters who have a lot going on. At the same time their versatility with a variety of available weapons and play styles keeps them fun for even the most experienced players.

With all of our play-testing, we are quite comfortable at this point that the Veteran will stay largely unchanged as we move forward with developing Undestined. Because of this, I am excited to release the overview of the Veteran’s class abilities which they manifest as they increase in power:

Weapon Mastery

While wielding any weapon, Veteran’s show an uncanny consistency, and are far less likely to critically fail when attacking and can often turn potentially disastrous situations into more favorable ones.

Strikes of Intensity

Regardless of the weapon or set of weapons being used, the Veteran’s attacks are devastating. Whether it be wading through battle cleaving foes with a massive two-handed weapon, quickly felling an opponent with a barrage of strikes from dual-wielded weapons, slowly and steadily targeting your enemy’s weaknesses with sword and board, or picking off your targets from afar with the precision of a bow, the Veteran’s dominance of the battlefield is unmatched.

Battle Hardened

The Veteran is instilled with an overwhelming prowess in battle that allows them to surprise and unbalance their foes by sustaining a pace others cannot match. This pace allows the Veteran versatility to close gaps on distant enemies, or string together strikes against multiple foes setting them back on their heels. This often places the Veteran in an advantageous position, leaving her opponents grasping feebly for a way to get back into the fight.

sixth Sense

With 6th Sense the Veteran suddenly feels as though she has survived thousands of intense battles causing most attacks against her to seem tedious and stale. She is never caught off guard and can always attempt to evade attacks her enemies throw her way seemingly without a second thought. Any who think they have the jump on her are likely to find themselves suddenly reeling from an unexpected onslaught.

Precision

Weapons feel even more comfortable in the Veteran’s hands increasing her skill while wielding them. The Veteran skillfully guides her attacks to her enemies’ vulnerabilities leaving crushed bones and gushing wounds in her wake.

Exploit

Armor that once looked impressive or impenetrable to the Veteran now seems to be filled with gaps and weaknesses calling for the Veteran’s next strike.

Opportunity

The Veteran is able to capitalize even further on the advantageous opportunities she creates during battle. Further attacks against any still standing after her initial onslaught land with even greater intensity. Those unlucky enough to find themselves battling a Veteran with Opportunity find that she is able to shrug off attacks that would have seemingly felled others.

War Hardened

Impossibly, the Veteran is even more capable of outmaneuvering, outpacing, and overpowering her enemies. During battle she leaves all who oppose her terrified as they watch her fall upon them with overwhelming skill and precision.

Thanks for taking the time to read. I can't wait to share more next month!

Jason McCracken