Murder stroke

Murder Stroke

Martial

Apprentice

60 hours

Requires Melee weapon (short, medium, or long) III+ and Hand parry

You have studied advanced swordfighting techniques. More specifically, you are practiced in the art of grabbing the sharp part of your sword for use with a few different techniques. The first thing you learn is a form of the parry/grab combo. The difference is that you are parrying your opponent's weapon by grabbing it. A successful parry counts as a successful grab. Journeymen learn how to grasp their own sword's blade in a technique known as half-swording. You can use the sword in close quarters, and the two-handed grip allows you to add a quarter of your Strength score (rounded up) to the damage dealt. The final master-level technique is the mordhau, sometimes called: murder blow, murder strike, murder stroke, or thunder stroke. Mordhau is a technique for using a sword as a blunt object. Grasp the blade and swing it like a hammer. Whack 'em over the head with the handle, crossguard, or pommel. This allows you to use your sword to inflict smashing damage and end them rightly.