V9: Combat Classes (General Rules)
- The Amtwiki is the official home and primary source for Amtgard V9 Rules as of February 25, 2023.
- These rules are currently in Open Alpha Playtest. See the Playtest Disclaimer for more details.
- To learn more about Amtgard V9 Development, please visit Amtgard.com.
- To view the current Amtgard V8 ruleset, please see the Amtgard V8 Rulebook.
Contents
General Rules
Combat classes are designed for use in combat activities.
Playing an activity with combat classes will introduce special abilities and powerful effects into the game, including enchantments, healing, fireballs, and a slew of verbal magic, which allow players to affect each other at a distance without making physical contact.
Each combat class brings a unique set of abilities and equipment limitations to the battlefield. These classes are designed to be played alongside each other as part of a team or adventuring party. While each class offers a flexible playstyle, there will always be some classes that are better tailored to certain tasks than others. Take the time to read the playstyle summaries, talk with veteran players, and try a few out on the battlefield to help you find the class that is best suited for your preferred playstyle.
CAN I CHANGE MY COMBAT CLASS?
Players may change their combat class freely between activities. You can play Scout during your first game, switch to a Wizard for some roleplay, and then finish the day as a Paladin. You can choose to play each of these as the same character or change it up at your leisure. Since progression is tied to your ORK account, you can play any character as any class, up to the highest level you have unlocked in that class.
| CLASS NAME | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | ||||
| Playstyle | ||||
| Class Identifier | ||||
| Weapons | ||||
| Shields | ||||
| Armor | ||||
| Garb Bonus | ||||
Class Name
This is the name of the class.
The names used to describe the classes do not define how you must play and portray them. Your character and persona are defined through your actions, garb, and roleplay choices, not the name of the class or the abilities it gives you. The classes exist here in this form to support the execution of game mechanics; it is up to you to give them life, substance, and personality.
- For example, you can choose to play the Barbarian class as a Samurai, or the Healer class as a Cultist. With a little flair and creativity, the Druid class makes an excellent Alchemist.
With that in mind, the class name listed in each class profile is the universal term all players must acknowledge regardless of whether they are playing that class with a stereotypical presentation or something different.
- For example, someone playing Barbarian to represent a Samurai must still acknowledge that they are the Barbarian class and respond appropriately when they are identified as a Barbarian during gameplay.
Class Description
This briefly describes and explains the inspiration for the class in Amtgard, as well as provides some typical examples of the class in history and/or pop culture. While players are free to roleplay any class in any manner, you will find that the abilities and presentation are generally centered around the themes presented here.
Class Playstyle
This briefly explains the intended playstyle for the class by providing some keywords to crystallize their role on the battlefield. As with the class descriptions above, this text does not force a player to fight a certain way, nor does it prevent experimentation, however the equipment and abilities for each class are generally intended to support the playstyles expressed here.
Class Identifier
This lists the visual indicator that is required to denote you are playing the class, usually a Sash. This identifier must be worn at all times during combat activities. A player without a class identifier can only play the Peasant class.
While not required, players are also encouraged to dress in thematic garb in addition to wearing the class-specific identifier.
Class Weapons
This will denote the weapon types available to the class. If the weapon types are presented as a list, players may freely switch between available weapon types over the course of the activity. If the player is required to ‘choose’ one or more options, then the choice must be locked in with the rest of class customization and cannot be changed during the course of the activity.
Class Shields
This will denote the shield sizes available to the class. If the shield size is presented as "up to X size", players may freely use any shield equal or smaller than that size and may switch between available shield sizes over the course of the activity. If the player is required to ‘choose’ one or more options, then the choice must be locked in with the rest of class customization and cannot be changed during the course of the activity.
Class Armor
This denotes the maximum armor point value the class may receive from Physical Armor. This limit is only applied after armor point totals are fully calculated and averaged.
Low Armor Compensation
Some classes may be offered compensation in the form of extra abilities whenever the player is wearing fewer armor points in each hit location than the total available to them. The compensation gained depends on the combined total of all armor points gained from physical armor across all locations.
- Armor point totals are calculated and compensation is locked in at the start of the game. Players may choose to play with less total armor points than they are actually wearing in order to receive compensation, as long as it does not create a situation where two visually similar hit locations have different maximum armor values.
- For instance, a player might choose to play with a reduced torso armor value in order to meet a 15pt threshold and get compensated; however if both their legs are similarly armored, they couldn't reduce one without also reducing the other.
- Damage and enchantments during gameplay will not affect this compensation.
- If physical armor must be added or removed mid-game, bonuses are recalculated between lives and the player should do their best to inform Rules Authorities and other players about the change.
- For example, A Warrior player wearing 4 points on torso, 2 points on each arm, and 3 points on each leg would have 14pts total (4 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 14) and thus gain +1 use of Shake It Off as compensation for wearing less armor than what is available to their class.
Example Armor entry from Warrior. Armor May wear up to 6pts of physical armor in each hit location. May gain 🌶️Low-Armor Compensation as indicated below.
- 21-30pts = No compensation.
- 11-20pts = +1 use of Shake It Off
- 0-10pts = +2 uses of Shake It Off
Garb Bonus
The Garb Bonus is a reward for players who wear garb and present a visual appearance that evokes the Heroic Fantasy theme of Amtgard.
There is no minimum amount of costume or covering required as long as the overall appearance is clearly costumed or decorated in some way beyond a normal mundane appearance. This can include prosthetics, tattoos, body paint, accessories, etc. in addition to traditional fantasy clothing and apparel.
The Garb Bonus is a game-by-game bonus, assessed and awarded at the discretion of the Game Organizer or an associated Rules Authority. The following points should be always considered when assessing players for the Garb Bonus:
- Players should be encouraged to garb appropriately for their local weather and climate conditions. Safety always comes first.
- Players must always adhere to applicable, real-world clothing regulations and decency laws.
- Modern Shoes, necessary medical gear, and relevant safety apparel may be worn without forfeiting the garb bonus as long as their quantity and/or design is not unreasonably obtrusive to the overall fantasy appearance, as determined by the Game Organizer for each activity. For example, sunglasses should be allowed but novelty "Happy New Year 2023" glasses should be rejected.
Basic Garb Bonus
Requirements: Appropriately garbed "Top" and "Bottom" with no visible mundane garments.
- "Top" refers to the area a T-shirt would cover. "Bottom" refers to the area that shorts would cover.
- These areas do not need to be completely covered, they just need to be visually appropriate for the theme. A shirtless player or someone with a sleeveless tunic can still meet these requirements as long as their lack of coverage contributes to their overall garb look.
- For monsters specifically, all garb worn must align with any additional monster garb requirements and reflect the specific monster being portrayed.
Reward: Choice of Magic Item from the Garb Bonus Curios list.
Superior Garb Bonus
Requirements: Awarded by the Game Organizer in addition to the Basic Garb bonus for having a reasonable amount of additional garb or costuming above and beyond the basic requirements listed above. This includes but is not limited to: fantasy headwear, fantasy footwear, facepaint, prosthetics, accessories clearly visible from 20ft away, etc.
Reward: The curio chosen for the basic garb bonus receives +1 use.
Note: There is no exact amount of extra garb or costuming required. Rather, this bonus should be awarded in good faith to those who have clearly made some effort to go above and beyond the basic garb bonus requirements outlined above.
Class Customization
Players have the ability to customize their class based on their current level in that class.
The Game Organizer decides when players are required to finalize class selection, as well as when to lock in any customization choices.
There are three types of class customization:
In addition, some classes may have access to Archetypes (see below).
Archetypes
Archetypes are special customization options that provide rare and powerful benefits in exchange for limiting class customization and/or additional drawbacks.
- When present, archetypes may be chosen after achieving level 3 in the desired class.
- A player can only choose to have one archetype at a time.
- Archetypes cannot modify or restore abilities granted by enchantments and magic items. For example, a magic item or enchantment that grants Shake It Off cannot be restored by the Guardian or Juggernaut archetypes.
Picks
This customization method is used for melee and equipment-oriented classes.
HOW IT WORKS
- At level 1, you will receive a preset list of abilities.
- For levels 2-6, you will make picks from a list of rows and options within those rows. The higher level you are, the more picks you can make.
- If you are level 3 or above, you may also choose an archetype that offers extra benefits in exchange for restricting your picks and possibly other drawbacks.
See below for a visual example with further details
EXAMPLE PICKS CHARTS
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| Level 1 You always get these abilities when you play this class. |
Level 1 abilities No Options - Gain everything here | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levels 2-6 For each level beyond 1, pick a row you have not already chosen and gain the abilities within. If that row has multiple options, pick one of those options and gain everything from that option. |
ROW A | Row A No Options - Gain everything here | ||
| ROW B | Row B No Options - Gain everything here | |||
| ROW C | Row C Option 1 |
Row C Option 2 |
Row C Option 3 | |
| ROW D | Row D Option 1 |
Row D Option 2 |
Row D Option 3 | |
| ROW E | Row E Option 1 |
Row E Option 2 |
Row E Option 3 | |
| Archetypes If you are level 3 or above, you MAY choose to take an archetype. If you do, you cannot make more than one pick from outside that archetype’s column. Row A and B are part of all 3 columns. |
Archetype 1 Row A and B are part of every archetype |
Archetype 2 Row A and B are part of every archetype |
Archetype 3 Row A and B are part of every archetype | |
Point-Buy
This is the customization method used for ranged and ability-focused classes.
HOW IT WORKS
You are given a number of customization points based on your level which can be used to purchase abilities from a tiered list (see example below). The list is divided into three tiers: Expert, Adept, and Novice. You will receive a number of Expert points equal to your level, and then LV+1 for Adept and LV+2 for Novice. Unspent points in a higher tier can be ‘dropped down’ and spent at lower tiers.
- Cost is how many points you must spend to purchase the ability.
- Max is the maximum amount of times you may purchase the ability.
- Your total uses may be greater than this maximum if the ability grants multiple uses per purchase (see below).
- Frequency is the frequency and amount of uses you receive for each purchase.
- For example, if something is Cost: 1, Max: 4, and has a Frequency of 1/Life, you could spend 4 points to purchase it 4 times and your total amount of uses would be 4/Life.
- As another example, if something is Cost: 1, Max: 3, and has a Frequency of 2/Life, you could spend 3 points to purchase it 3 times and your total amount of uses would be 6/Life because each purchase grants 2 uses.
- The Archetype columns show which abilities are part of which Archetypes. The available Archetypes themselves are listed underneath the main list of options.
- Range and Type are just providing quick references to the Range and Ability Type for the ability. They do not impact class customization.
| CUSTOMIZATION POINTS BY LEVEL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPERT | ADEPT | NOVICE | |
| Lv. 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Lv. 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Lv. 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Lv. 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Lv. 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Lv. 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
EXAMPLE POINT BUY CHART
See below for a visual example of the ability list with further details.
| Archetype | Ability Name | Cost | Max | Frequency | Range | Type | |||
| EXPERT Points Available = Your Level Unspent points may be used at a lower tier. |
|||||||||
| B | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | |||
| A | C | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | ||
| A | B | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | ||
| A | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | |||
| B | C | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | ||
| C | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | |||
| B | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | |||
| A | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | |||
| C | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | |||
| C | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | |||
| ADEPT Points Available = Your Level+1 Unspent points may be used at a lower tier. |
|||||||||
| A | B | C | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | |
| A | C | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | ||
| B | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | |||
| A | C | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | ||
| A | B | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | ||
| A | C | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | ||
| B | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | |||
| C | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | |||
| B | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | |||
| A | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | |||
| B | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | |||
| C | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | |||
| NOVICE Points Available = Your Level+2 Unspent points at this tier are wasted. |
|||||||||
| B | C | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | ||
| A | C | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | ||
| B | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | |||
| A | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | |||
| B | C | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | ||
| C | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | |||
| C | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | |||
| A | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | |||
| B | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | |||
| A | C | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | ||
| B | C | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | ||
| A | B | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | ||
| B | Example Name | 1 | 2 | 1/Life ♻10 | 20ft | Verbal | |||
| A | Example Name | 1 | 4 | 1/Refresh ♻20 | 5ft Other | Enchantment | |||
| Archetypes If you are level 3 or above, you MAY choose to take an archetype. If you do, you can only purchase abilities listed with as part of that archetype. |
Archetype A Gain Benefit Suffer Drawback |
Archetype B Gain Benefit Suffer Drawback |
Archetype C Gain Benefit Suffer Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
Monster Selection
This customization method is exclusive to the Monster class. Instead of choosing specific abilities, you choose a preset monster from the list of Standard Battlegame Monsters in this rulebook or from a supplementary document (with permission from the Game Organizer. Each specific monster will have little, if any, customization options themselves, however some abilities will gain more uses based on your Monster level.
Symbols and Extra Notations ⬗ ♻ 🛡️ ✅
There are three types of symbols you may encounter during class customization:
- ⬗ This symbol is related to casting. See Free Hand requirements.
- ♻ This symbol is related to resting and restoring ability uses.
- 🛡️ This symbol and other emojis are related to archetypes or class-specific abilities.
- ✅ This symbol means that this class or archetype gains this ability for free.
General Rules (Combat Classes) Anatomy of a Class Profile · Garb Bonus · Class Customization
Combat Classes General Rules · Anti-Paladin · Archer · Assassin · Barbarian · Bard · Druid · Healer · Monk · Paladin · Peasant · Scout · Warrior · Wizard · Monster
Classes Credits and Levels · Combat Classes · Non-Combat Classes
