Melee Combat Expertise [i]
“The mastery of the points, edges, and blunts of weapons. When we pick up a weapon for the first time what makes sense is swinging it at the target. Hoping the blow lands. After time, practice, and experience we learn the effective motions. Cutting, Stabbing, Chopping, and Striking.”
Root Effect Tree; Unlock Costs 10 xps
Expertise Effects
Melee Combat Expertise Effects apply to the basic attack of melee weapons. The Effects that are usable depend on the Type of weapon. Expertise Effects are physically demanding beyond simply swinging the weapon.
Cut
Pulling the length of the edge of your weapon hard against the skin to leave a bleeding gash.
Available for Melee Cutting Weapon Types.
Activation: (+1AS|+1RS|+1FP)
Effect: + (v:8) Bleeding Counters
The wide open wound you inflict by forcibly dragging the edge across the target applies bleeding counters to the Target. A solid Cut takes an extra Action Slots compared to a Basic Attack.
Physical Stress: (v:8)
Mastery: A successful Cut attack increases Melee Combat Expertise [i] by 1
Chop
Bringing the edge down hard to maximize damage. Chopping is fast, hard, and physically demanding, but it will leave your foes with wide and deep wounds.
Available for Melee Chopping Weapon Types.
Activation: (-1AS|-1RS|-1FP)
Effect: + (v:4) Bleeding Counters, + 1 Hemorrhaging Counter.
The wide open wound you inflict by forcibly dragging the edge across the target applies bleeding counters to the Target. A solid Cut takes an extra Action Slots compared to a Basic Attack.
Physical Stress: 1
Mastery: A successful Chop attack increases Melee Combat Expertise [i] by 1
Lunge & Stab
A hard step forward with the point of the weapon aimed right at the vitals.
Available for Melee Penetrating Weapon Types
Activation: (+2AS|+2RS|+2FP)
Reach: + 1 Tile (Character does not move with attack)
Effect: + (v:4) Hemorrhaging Counters
Stepping into the attack and punching the tip into and sometimes through your Target causes them to begin hemorrhaging.
Physical Stress: (v:6)
Mastery: A successful Lunge & Stab attack increases Melee Combat Expertise [i] by 1
Twist & Rip
That swift hit sinking in deep, you twist then rip.
Available for Melee Ripping Weapon Types.
Activation: After a successful Hit (3AS|3RS|3FP)
Effect: Exsanguination
The bloodletting. After you successfully Hit the Target, you Twist & Rip to cause them to fully bleed out their counters.
You remove all of the Bleeding Counters and Hemorrhaging Counters.
This deals 2 damage per Bleeding Counter removed and 5 Damage per Hemorrhaging Counter removed.
Physical Stress: (v:4)
Mastery: A successful Twist & Rip attack increases Melee Combat Expertise [i] by 1
Demi-Ulm Noel Elment
He slayed the Self Made King, Gorigon. Putting an end to the Gorigon Insurrection in Mol-Thern. A short a bloody conflict claiming nearly a Hundred Thousand lives.
Demi-Ulm Noel now resides in the northernmost tip of Mol-Thern, tenured as the the Ultimate Master of Arms. He trains with the best of the best. He is among the Thirty-Three Gatekeepers of Ulmdom.
Mastery: Melee Combat Expertise Mastery 0 to 5
Each of these effects will only increase Melee Combat Expertise Mastery by 1 point.
Getting all four points of Mastery grants Mastery 5.
Cut Mastery: Physical Stress Cost Removed.
Lunge & Stab Mastery: Reduce Activation Time to (+1AS|+1RS|+1FP)
Chop Mastery: + (v:6) Bleeding Counters, + 2 Hemorrhaging Counters.
Twist & Rip Mastery: Reduce Activation Time to (2AS|2RS|2FP)
At 5 Mastery: Melee Combat Expertise [ii] is unlocked.
Mastery Requisite: Melee Combat Expertise with a Mastery of 5 is a requirement for Melee Combat Expertise [ii]
