Best Sword-Fighter O.C.C.

[MaxxSterling]

Not looking for RCC's, just OCC's. I have an 8th level Altess Space Pirate, I use a rune sword primarily. What would be a good OCC to multi-class into? Anyone have any input? By the way also, the space pirate OCC blows and I would not suggest it to anyone playing a space pirate character.

[GaredBattlespike]

Greetings!

I suggest the following:
1) Bloodletter OCC from Manhunter is GREAT for a sword-weilding Space Character (Pirate or not) Swordsmanship and a very well-balanced set of skills!

2) Ronin from Rifts: Japan has AWESOME sword-weilding potential from access to the proper Hand to Hand style (Swordsmanship Style), although it does NOT have ANY space type skills, so it should be CAREFULLY concidered before making a choice.

In the end, the Bloodletter has weaker Swordsmanship, but, the Ronin has NO space skills(normally).
There are others, but these are the best ones I can think of at the moment.

Good Hunting(Except against the Celestial Maiden, the small ship my Mind Melter is on-Cuz he'll use his Psi Sword and other Powers without remorse on a Pirate)!

PS: I almost want to reccomend the Amaki Duelist from South America:2 but it's about using a Psi-Sword and you say that you're using a Rune Sword. Oh well...

Good Gaming, GaredBattlespike

[MaxxSterling]

Thanks for the input. I was thinking Ronin or even Demon Qweller from that book... I always forget Manhunter exists... Even though the book is just sitting on the shelf. I'll look at that too.

[csbioborg]

how does a dedicated martial artists with a sword martial art stack up against them?

What about a ancient weapons master?

[Braden Campbell]

... By the way also, the space pirate OCC blows and I would not suggest it to anyone playing a space pirate character.

Ahhhh, Maxx.

So this OCC blows, yet still you have played it long enough to accumulate eight levels, eh? Pray then, sir, do tell us all what OCC a "space pirate" should be using if not the actual Space Pirate OCC.

Also, enlighten us by saying wherefore the Space Pirate OCC blows.

[Colt47]

... By the way also, the space pirate OCC blows and I would not suggest it to anyone playing a space pirate character.

Ahhhh, Maxx.

So this OCC blows, yet still you have played it long enough to accumulate eight levels, eh? Pray then, sir, do tell us all what OCC a "space pirate" should be using if not the actual Space Pirate OCC.

Also, enlighten us by saying wherefore the Space Pirate OCC blows.

Clearly he must believe that space ninja are better than space pirates!

In any case the problem with saying a class isn't as good as another class in Rifts is the whole perspective issue. Namely, what is space pirate being compared to in order to say that the Space Pirate OCC isn't that great? I could say the Vagabond isn't that great of a class because it can't match my favorite Mystic Knight OCC in raw killing power. Or I could say that Humans are crappy because they aren't as powerful as a Yeno, grackletooth, or anything ELSE on the damn planet.

(Actually, in the case of humans the complaint is probably warranted.)

[MaxxSterling]

I'll look into the ancient weapons master. And those of you questioning the OCC, make a space pirate and then try to play the game, you'll find the shortcomings.

[Braden Campbell]

I've drafted several space pirates, most notably for the Palladium Open House a few years back. I don't see the immediate problem. A first level pirate can have as many as 16 skills to start with, which is none too bad, since it includes hand-to-hand: expert. As well, most of the catagory selections say "Any", so aside from Medical skills, anything goes. You get 1D4 cybernetic implants, which not everyone else does. Pirates also get +1 to parry and dodge and +2 versus Horror Factor.

So, where exactly do they fall down?

[Grell]

Perhaps they're not flashy enough? I prefer subtle characters personally and would probably enjoy the interstellar piracy gig.

[MaxxSterling]

I was going to type something, but this argument is pointless and off topic. I've read your book and it is apparent that we play two different games, and I'll leave it at that. Too each their own.

[Braden Campbell]

Well, let me offer this then: an 8th level Altess Space Pirate with hand-to-hand: Martial Arts (I'm assuming you upgraded somewhere along the line) and Boxing, and who has taken WP Sword, WP Knife, and WP Paired, should have +3 to initiative, 7 actions per round and could, in theory, fight 14 guys at once.

Cybernetic implants and drugs are the only feasable things that will improve on this, so I would say switch to the Borg or Juicer OCCs, as pertaining to the original post.

[Nekira Sudacne]

Cosmo Knight.

What? They start with a really awsome sword.

[MaxxSterling]

See, Cain gets it. Thanks for the insight, that's what I wanted to say, but was far too lazy to type.

[MaxxSterling]

But it's tough to do fallen knight with a character that is already in motion... That means I'd have to be good enough to get the forge to promote me to cosmo knight somehow... and then be a douche enough to then get kicked out of the club. Seems like a lot of work...

Also, does anyone know what book the above mentioned Ancient Weapons Master OCC is in? Thanks.

[Greyaxe]

Rouge Scholar.

Massive number of skills from virtually any category.

[Mlp7029]

I'll look into the ancient weapons master. And those of you questioning the OCC, make a space pirate and then try to play the game, you'll find the shortcomings.

The Headhunter from Rifts Ultimate gets I believe with 35 skills. I noticed this about several OCCs in Rifts Ultimate. They have quite a few more skills than OCCs from other books.

[Alrik Vas]

Best swordfighter is a Worldly Martial Artist complete with the N&SS version of Zanji Shinjinken-Ryu. It starts with 5 levels of WP Sword already completed, gives 5 APM at level 1 and basically goes on into full badassery from there (plus martial art powers, limited as they are for that school). Also..uh...floral arranging...but hey, you're cultured now so why not?

that being said, i wouldn't suggest it unless you're getting away from being a scoundrel. It takes a lot of discapline and honestly that kind of life really drags a guy down on his way to the bordello.

[SpiritInterface]

Rifter 23 page 29 has the Blade Mage. They combine a sword oriented martial style with some real interesting custom spells.

[Nightmask]

Best swordfighter is a Worldly Martial Artist complete with the N&SS version of Zanji Shinjinken-Ryu. It starts with 5 levels of WP Sword already completed, gives 5 APM at level 1 and basically goes on into full badassery from there (plus martial art powers, limited as they are for that school). Also..uh...floral arranging...but hey, you're cultured now so why not?

that being said, i wouldn't suggest it unless you're getting away from being a scoundrel. It takes a lot of discapline and honestly that kind of life really drags a guy down on his way to the bordello.

Well not quite, it starts with an extra 4 levels of WP-Katana if you make that selection, it doesn't give you extra levels in the more general WP-Sword. Since the weapon mentioned in this thread doesn't sound like a Katana or Wakazashi Zanji wouldn't grant any bonus levels with the weapon in question. You'd have to look to Mystic China and I think Gui Long for a MA that gives bonuses to general sword use, but Zanji (like many other dedicated MA) can give access to Iai Jutsu so you can get bonuses to Initiative.

[Alrik Vas]

True, the katana is specifically mentioned as the WP for Zanji. Though, if you could get your hands on a ghost blade or maybe the lightning one, it's all good anyway.

Man, i can't imagine giving one of my players a real runesword...eeeesh. That's a can of worms i hope i never have to deal with. I mean, just the roleplaying aspect of a guy who's a got a sword that's always chewing his ear off. What a pain.

[KLM]

For my part I would consider Temporal Warrior.

[drewkitty ~..~]

When seeing this topic for the 1st time I thought of the MH Blood Letter class.

There are problems with story continuancey with changing class in the normal flow of games, since 'it takes time' to learn that class. Examples: The MA Forms that would go with any of the N&S classes takes years to learn, and the afore mentioned Temporal Warrior takes years of servitude to become one, and just learning how to make magic takes years to develop also.

There is not much of a problem if there are normal years of time gaps in the campaign. Just have the char do his learning during the 2-6 years being 'not being played through'.

[Alrik Vas]

There are some classes that are "relatively easy" changes though. LIke, i had someone go from a Merc Soldier OCC into a Paratrooper in about 4 months of training. He had the background, just needed the specialized part of the training (and 350k cr).

Likewise, someone who is an expert swordfighter could adapt new styles pretty quickly.

[say652]

A super of course.

Natural combat aBility
Ex speed
Radar
Heightened sense of heaRing.