Martial Traditions

In addition to the usual choices of race and class, the Spheres of Might system introduces another important decision a player may make to personalize their character: the selection of a martial tradition.

A martial tradition is a set of proficiencies and beginning sphere talents that represents what, where, and how that character learned the art of martial combat. While no martial tradition presented below would be devastating for any player to possess, a game master is well within his rights to declare that, in any particular game setting, certain traditions are tied to a particular military or culture, and are only available to characters belonging to those groups. Indeed, martial traditions are a great way to customize a campaign setting and allow warriors from different cultures to truly feel unique from each other.

Some classes grant a martial tradition as part of their proficiencies, but characters who do not may choose to trade their starting proficiencies (other than simple weapons, light armor, and bucklers, if applicable) for a martial tradition at 1st level, as long as their normal starting proficiencies include proficiency with all martial weapons or at least one exotic weapon (this does not include clerics whose deity’s favored weapon is an exotic weapon or similar features that modify starting proficiencies based on other character choices). Some classes who do not gain proficiency with all martial weapons but whose class description implies a strong martial background may trade their starting proficiencies for a martial tradition with GM approval.

Once a character has gained a martial tradition, they do not gain additional proficiencies for multiclassing, and characters who have already gained proficiencies from a class cannot benefit from martial traditions gained through multiclassing.

Unless specifically noted otherwise, a character can only gain a single martial tradition, and can only select one as a 1st level character; creatures with racial Hit Dice may gain a martial tradition when they take their first level in a character class, but they lose the benefits of any racial proficiencies they may possess (not including natural weapons).

As always, if a martial tradition grants a sphere or talent which a character also gains through a class feature, they may instead gain a talent of their choice from that sphere. If a martial tradition grants a feat or talent that would normally have prerequisites, the character does not need to meet those prerequisites to benefit from it.

Sections marked “variable” allow the character to select between different talents.

Creating New Martial Traditions

Martial traditions are not simply collections of talents, but are designed to enable character concepts. The martial traditions listed below cover a great many concepts, but there are many more possibilities then are presented below. If a game master (or a player with game master permission) wishes to create a unique martial tradition, they should use the following guidelines.

1. Each martial tradition should include two Equipment talents, typically with at least one discipline, Armor Training, or Shield Training. These determine the weapons, armor, and other equipment a character has available to them (if any).

2. Each martial tradition should include either an appropriate base sphere, or the option to choose between 2 base spheres. The exact appropriateness of any given base sphere depends on the concept.

3. Each tradition should also include one additional thematic talent. This could be a bonus talent in the sphere you gained as part of step 2, an additional base sphere, or perhaps an Equipment talent that is not a discipline but works with the character concept in some way.

4. (Author’s Note) It is reasonable for any tradition that grants firearm proficiency to also grant a battered firearm. (Source)

In addition, there are a few things that, unless the game master rules otherwise, should be avoided when creating a new martial tradition.

1: Over-specializing in a single sphere other than Equipment. A martial tradition determines a character’s starting tools and characteristics; not only does over-specializing produce a one-dimensional character that is often boring to play, but it can also produce characters with large weaknesses that are unable to contribute to the game outside of their single specialty.

2: Over-specializing in either offensive or defensive talents. This is similar to issue 1; over-specializing in any one direction produces unbalanced characters with glaring weaknesses that make them difficult to play and often leaves them unable to contribute.

As always, the above guidelines may be broken with GM permission, and even some of the traditions listed below break one or more of these rules. As always, martial traditions are a tool for enhancing the game, and are subservient to that goal.

---

Martial Traditions

Ace

An ace is one with his vehicle, controlling it through stunts that should be entirely impossible.

• Athletics sphere (Driver drawback) selecting either the (fly), (run), or (swim) package, Ace Pilot, Mobile Striker, Reflexive Twist
• Variable: Individuals trained in the Ace tradition gain one Athletics sphere talent of their choice.

All-Thrower

All-throwers are athletic warriors who specialize in sports that involve hurling large and cumbersome objects.

• Equipment: Caber Toss, Rock Toss
• Berserker sphere
• Variable: All-throwers gain either Barroom as a bonus sphere or the Barbaric Throw talent from the Berserker sphere as a bonus talent.

Animal Trainer

Animal trainers fight alongside tamed beasts, wielding the tools used for capturing and training their pets in battle.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Bounty Hunter’s Tools
• Beastmastery sphere (handle animal) package
• Variable: Animal trainers may select two additional talents, each chosen from either the Beastmastery sphere or the Equipment sphere.

Armored Dreadnought

Armored Dreadnoughts specialize in wielding massive shields and titanic suits of armor that would crush lesser men under their enormous weight.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Armor Training, Shield Training
• Variable: Armored dreadnoughts gains two talents of their choice from the Equipment sphere.

Barbarian

Barbarians are tribal warriors who cultivate their rage for use in combat. Skilled at both hunting and warfare, Barbarians are deadly, versatile fighters. Depending on the traditions of their tribe, a barbarian might fight alongside war animals or focus on their rage, breaking their weapons as often as their enemies with their mighty blows.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Tribal training
• Berserker sphere
• Scout sphere
• Variable: Barbarians gain either the Barroom sphere or the Beastmastery sphere.

Bolt Juggler

Bolt jugglers are a sight to behold, awe-inspiring on the training ground and dread-inspiring on the battleground. While some use their crossbows to compliment a melee weapon, others wield two crossbows at once in a dizzying display of coordination.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Mechanical Training
• Dual Wielding sphere
• Variable: Bolt jugglers gain either Expert Reloading or Mechanical Savant from the Equipment sphere.
• Variable: Bolt jugglers gain either Impossible Reload or Mixed Assault from the Dual Wielding sphere.

Buccaneer

Most often found as hired company of pirates, buccaneers are fond of flashy and sometimes acrobatic combat, making themselves formidable foes in close quarters and at range.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Duelist Training, Firearm Proficiency
• Dual Wielding sphere
• Variable: Buccaneers gain either the Athletics sphere, Fencing sphere, or a Dual Wielding talent of their choice.

Bushido Warrior

Training in the bushido way includes learning how to wear the ceremonial armor of your station, as well as wield weapons like the katana and longbow. Some bushido warriors also train in horsemanship, while others perfect the art of single combat.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Armor Training, Bushido Training
• Duelist sphere
• Variable: Followers of the bushido way gain either the Beastmastery base sphere (Ride package), or Draw Cut from the Duelist sphere.

Canny Hunter

Canny hunters are skilled marksmen and trackers, capable of spotting a creature’s weaknesses and felling them with a single well placed shot.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Huntsman Training
• Scout sphere
• Sniper sphere
• Variable: Canny hunters gain one additional talent of their choice from either the Equipment sphere or Scout sphere.

Challenging Knight

Unlike other knights, challenging knights are far more focused on their own personal glory, keeping combat and every other possible situation focused on themselves.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Armor Training, Knightly Training
• Gladiator sphere
• Variable: Individuals trained in the challenging knight gain either the Guardian sphere or a Gladiator talent of their choice.

Chemist

Chemists who go adventuring often find the bottle makes as good of a weapon as what might be inside it.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Fast Draw
• Alchemy sphere (formulae package)
• Barroom sphere
• Variable: Chemists gain one additional talent of their choice from either the Barroom sphere or Alchemy sphere.

Combat Gunner

Guns aren’t the most friendly of weapons, making the efforts of combat gunners all the more impressive. Willing to duck and weave into melee combat as well as fire from a distance, these masters of close and long range combat lack any fear.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Firearm Proficiency, Gun Kata
• Open Hand sphere
• Variable: Combat gunners gain either Barrage sphere or Sniper sphere.

Commando

Specialists that lead small groups in stealthy raids and sabotage.

Bonus Talents

• Equipment: Rogue Weapon Training
• Leadership sphere (cohort) package
• Scout sphere
• Variable: Commandos gain a bonus talent from either the Equipment or Scout spheres.

Courtesan

Courtesans are students of courtly manners and artistic pursuits, and are often experts at painting, dancing, music, and engaging conversation. In a world of magic and court intrigue, courtesans are often also trained as bodyguards and assassins.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Dancer Training, Unarmored Training
• Fencing sphere
• Variable: Courtesans gain either the Dual Wielding sphere or a talent from the Fencing sphere.

Cunning Leader

The battlefield is an ever shifting place, causing chaos and anarchy to reign supreme. Only a cunning leader is able to properly navigate the terrain, commanding their troops while controlling the flow of combat in a way unique to them.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: One (discipline) talent of their choice
• Fencing sphere, Expert Feint
• Warleader sphere

Crushing Juggernaut

Crushing juggernauts specialize in using their bulk and the mass of their heavy armor to grind their opponents into dust.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Armor Training
• Brute sphere
• Variable: Crushing juggernauts gain a bonus talent of their choice from both the Brute sphere and the Equipment sphere.

Daring Scholar

While many adventurers train with weapons and armor to protect them from the dangers of their chosen lifestyle, others trust in their wits and ingenuity to keep them safe. Daring scholars use a combination of explosive chemical compounds and careful observation to overcome any challenge, considering a spyglass and an alchemist’s lab to be a preferable burden to a knight’s heavy plate.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Staff Mastery
• Alchemy sphere
• Scout sphere
• Variable: Daring scholars gain a talent from either the Alchemy or Scout sphere.

Decisive Fist

Disciples of the decisive fist prefer to end fights with one powerful punch. These inspired combatants coil up like a spring, choosing the perfect moment to disrupt their foes with a brutal blow.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Critical Genius
• Boxing sphere
• Open Hand sphere
• Variable: Decisive fists gain either Finesse Fighting, Unarmed Training, or Unarmored Training from the Equipment sphere.

Dedicated Duelist

Dedicated duelists are individuals devoted to the art of the duel. Whether they simply revel in the art of single combat, or if they believe that they can prevent larger battles by risking their life alone, these deadly men and women are focused and skilled in the tools of their chosen trade.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Duelist Training, Finesse Fighting
• Variable: Dedicated duelists gain either the Duelist sphere or Fencing sphere
• Variable: Dedicated duelists gain either Gauntlet Shield or Unarmored Training from the Equipment sphere.

Dedicated Lancer

Completely focused on their aims of goring opponents, dedicated lancers are masters of the spear, focusing on impaling foes and leaving them on the end of their weapon.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Pikeman Training, Spear Dancer
• Lancer sphere
• Variable: Individuals trained as Dedicated Lancers gain either the Guardian sphere or a Lancer talent of their choice.

Drunken Brawler

Only a “tradition” in the vaguest sense of the word, drunken brawlers tend to learn their arts at the hands of other drunken brawlers, usually through an alcohol induced fog while their “teacher” attempts to put them through a bar. Or a wall. Or a ceiling. Occasionally a door.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Unarmed Training
• Barroom sphere
• Wrestling sphere
• Variable: Drunken brawlers gain a talent of their choice from either the Barroom or Wrestling sphere.

Dual Blade Beast

Not settling for an ordinary weapon, dual blade beasts focus on a more exotic weapon, using its modular nature in unique and interesting ways.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Bushido Training or Duelist Training, Dual Blade Savant
• Dual Wielding sphere
• Variable: Individuals trained in the Dual Blade Beast gain either the Duelist sphere or a Dual Wielding talent of their choice.

Elven Duelist

Agile warriors trained in the traditional elven forms of personal combat.

Bonus Talents

• Equipment: Elvish Heritage, Finesse Fighting x2
• Variable: Elven Duelists gain either the Duelist sphere or the Fencing Sphere.

Fearless Thrower

From small blades to large spears, fearless throwers are adept at launching any such items into the air. Able to push the limits of thrown weapons far beyond what others can, they fill the air with a hail of knives, hammers, and spears.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Huntsman Training, Throwing Mastery
• Variable: Fearless throwers either gain Crushing Thrower or Thrower’s Reflexes from the Equipment sphere.
• Variable: Fearless throwers gain either the Barrage sphere or the Berserker sphere.

Expedition Spotter

Expedition spotters are often hired onto exploratory expeditions into regions famous for their tombs and long-abandoned structures. Sharp-eyed and observant, they make for decent adventurers into areas with lots of traps and fighting in tight spaces.

Bonus Talents

• Equipment: Rogue Weapon Training
• Trap sphere (Dismantler drawback)
• Variable: Expedition spotters gain either the Duelist or Fencing sphere.
• Variable: Expedition spotters gain either the Scout sphere or Expert Eye from the Trap sphere.

Field Medic

While not as often to get the glory of the kill as the soldier, the field medic is as or even more important to the health and safety of his comrades.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Fast Draw
• Alchemy sphere ((formulae) package): Salve
• Scout sphere
• Variable: The Field Medic gains one additional talent of their choice from either the Alchemy sphere or Scout sphere.
• Drawbacks: Alternative-Brew
• Special: The Field Medic uses the Heal skill as the skill used for Alternative-Brew.

Free Runner

Free runners treat the world as their gymnasium, practicing wild acrobatics, running on and leaping from surfaces most wouldn’t consider even climbing.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: none
• Athletics sphere (run) package, Expanded Training (leap) and one other package, Wall Stunt
• Variable: Free runners gain a talent of their choice from the Athletics sphere.

Gearhead

Gearheads primarily utilize gadgets, guns, and other technological equipment in combat.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Techmaniac, Toolkit Training
• Tech sphere
• Variable: Gearheads gain either Tech Savvy from the Tech sphere, or the Trap sphere as a bonus talent.

Giant

Creatures who are larger than their peers often learn to fight in fashions leveraging their enormous size, shoving their enemies around the battlefield and hurling objects far too large for their enemies to handle.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Rock Toss
• Brute sphere
• Variable: Giants gain a talent of their choice from both the Brute sphere and the Equipment sphere.

Gladiator

Trained in the tradition of pure physical prowess, gladiators are known for their ability to overpower lesser combatants, imposing their will upon lesser warriors. There are many different varieties of gladiator, but all of them specialize in putting on shows worthy of an emperor.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Gladiator Training
• Gladiator sphere
• Variable: Gladiators gain either Armor Training, Shield Training, or Gladiator Training a second time from the Equipment sphere.
• Variable: Gladiators gain a talent of their choice from the Gladiator sphere.

Guild Training

While many combatants learn their arts in courtyards, dojos, or monasteries, those who learn through criminal guilds tend to have many masters, none more cruel and informative than experience. Whether their skills are assembled through observing more experienced thieves and thugs, or beaten into them by uncaring assassins who care more for their guild’s reputation than the well-being of its members, the guild trained who survive their training are invariably deadly, fast, and cunning.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Finesse Fighting, Rogue Weapon Training
• Alchemy sphere (poison) package
• Variable: Individuals trained in the Guild Training tradition gain either the Fencing sphere or the Duelist sphere.

Hacker

The hacker fulfills a very underhanded, but vital role in controlling their enemies’ technology.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Techmaniac, Toolkit Training
• Tech sphere: Remote Control
• Bonus Feat: Remote Hacking
• Variable: Hackers gain a talent from the Tech sphere, or the Trap sphere as a bonus talent.
• Drawbacks: Unsecured

Heavy Armsman

A heavy armsman specializes in using hammers, axes, and other large weapons to bring down even larger foes.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Dwarven Heritage, Armor Training
• Berserker sphere
• Variable: Individuals trained in the Heavy Armsman tradition gain one Equipment or Berserker talent of their choice.

Highlander

Highlanders are the inhabitants or soldiers who fight for or on behalf of the highlands, a cold, wet, and mountainous terrain. Well adapted to the climate, they make for decent adventurers, being trained in a variety of weapons, which they often dual wield.

• Equipment: Gallowglass Training
• Duelist sphere
• Variable: Dual Wielding or Scout sphere, and one additional talent from the chosen sphere.

Imperialist

Imperialists are the soldiers who fight for or on behalf of the empire. Well trained, and equipped for the part, they make for decent adventurers, being trained in the tools of war.

• Equipment: Firearm Proficiency, Knightly Training
• Duelist sphere
• Variable: Beastmastery (ride) package or Warleader sphere.

Iron Breaker Style

Eschewing weapons and armor as impediments on the path to self-perfection, students of the iron breaker style learn techniques to harden their bodies into living weapons.

• Open Hand sphere
• Berserker sphere, Greater Sunder
• Variable: Individuals trained in the Iron Breaker Style tradition gain either the Unarmored Training talent from the Equipment sphere or a talent from either the Berserker or Open Hand sphere as a bonus talent.

Janjaweed

A man with a horse and a gun; those who possess this martial tradition generally focus in either mounted combat or with gunmanship.

• Beastmastery sphere (ride) package
• Equipment sphere (Firearm Proficiency)
• Variable: Janjaweed gain either the Barrage and Sniper spheres, or two talents of their choice from the Beastmastery sphere.

Knightly Arts

Training in the knightly arts includes learning how to wear and maneuver in chainmail, full plate, and other armor designed for warriors who fight in the vanguard, as well as learning how to wield weapons suitable for such combat. In addition, most knights are trained in horsemanship and the art of leadership.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Armor Training, Knightly Training, Shield Training
• Variable: Individuals trained in the Knightly Arts tradition gain either the Beastmastery sphere (ride) package, the Warleader sphere, or the Shield sphere as a bonus sphere.

Liturgist

Liturgist are usually ceremonial or religious servants trained in performing rites and maintaining the morale of the citizenry through public speaking and worship.

Bonus Talents

• Equipment: Custom Training (one of the selected weapons must be a favored weapon of your deity or philosophy)
• Leadership Sphere ((follower) package)
• Variable: Liturgists gain either the Base Of Operations talent from the Leadership sphere, or one additional talent of their choice from the Equipment sphere.
• Bonus Feat: Basic Magical Training (selecting either the Death, Fate, or Life sphere)

Mechanic

A mechanic is an engineer or craftsman adept at the working of machines and other complex systems. While not all engineers will go adventuring, those who do find their knowledge can be remarkably valuable to their allies.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Expert Reloading
• Trap sphere
• Variable: Mechanics gain either Firearm Proficiency or Mechanical Training from the Equipment sphere.
• Variable: Mechanics gain either the Barrage sphere or the Sniper sphere.

Militia

Militias often rise in communities without the benefit of a formal military, where peasants of all stripes might one day have to take up arms in defense of their homes. While few militiamen have the benefits of formal war training, many are skilled at hunting, tracking, and handling animals, which can be quite handy in times of war.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Peasant Training
• Beastmastery sphere (handle animal) package
• Scout sphere
• Variable: Individuals with militia training gain an Equipment talent of their choice.

Mixed Duelist

A popular tradition among reapers, mixed duelists use elegant melee weapons and pistols simultaneously to threaten their foes regardless of positioning.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Duelist Training
• Dual Wielding sphere, Impossible Reload, Mixed Assault

Monastic Path

Those who would seek enlightenment through contemplation hone their bodies and minds alike. Followers of the monastic path train with a wide variety of challenging weapons, learning truths in every new combat technique and finding greater mysteries as they stretch their boundaries.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Monk Weapon Training, Staff Mastery
• Open Hand sphere
• Variable: Individuals trained in the Monastic Path tradition gain either the Athletics sphere or the Dual Wielding sphere.

Ninjutsu

Shadowy warriors learn underhanded combat styles, using everything at their disposal to level the playing field against superior forces. Those trained in ninjutsu combine grace with subterfuge, confident in the knowledge that disrupting their opponents shall defeat them even before blood is shed.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Finesse Fighting, Monk Weapon Training
• Scoundrel sphere
• Variable: Individuals trained in the Ninjutsu tradition gain either the Scout sphere or the Trap sphere.

Noble

Born to privilege and gifted with the time to pursue the art of personal combat.

Bonus Talents

• Equipment: Duelist Training, Finesse Fighting
• Leadership sphere (follower) package
• Variable: Nobles gain a bonus talent from either the Duelist or Leadership spheres.

Phalanx Soldier

The phalanx is a group of soldiers who combine spears and shields to create an impenetrable wall of death. Even when not flanked by their brothers-in-arms, a phalanx soldier is still a deadly force on any battlefield.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Shield Training, Spear Dancer
• Shield sphere
• Variable: Phalanx soldiers gain either Finesse Fighting from the Equipment sphere or a talent of their choice from the Shield sphere.

Pikeman

Pikemen are soldiers who specialize in using polearms to take down enemy cavalry and to keep enemies at a safe distance.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Pikeman Training, Polearm Mastery
• Lancer sphere
• Variable: Pikemen gain either the Guardian sphere or a talent of their choice from the Lancer sphere.

Pit Fighter

Like the gladiator or professional wrestler, the pit fighter puts on shows for money. However, unlike those other prize fighters, in the pits there are few grand traditions and even fewer rules; whoever’s alive at the end of the match is the winner.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Unarmed Training
• Boxing sphere
• Gladiator sphere
• Variable: Pit fighters gain one talent of their choice from either the Boxing sphere or the Gladiator sphere.

Pirate

Pirates learn to fight on the decks of ships, where one must be both fast and light in order to avoid being shot or drowned.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Pirate Training, Unarmored Training
• Fencing sphere
• Variable: Pirates gain either the Duelist sphere or the Athletics sphere.

Professional Wrestler

Professional wrestlers are equal parts showman and combatant. Whether using pain-wracking joint locks or high-flying aerial maneuvers, these skilled individuals revel in their own physical might, relishing the applause that follows a particularly daring stunt.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Unarmored Training
• Gladiator sphere
• Wrestling sphere
• Variable: Professional wrestlers gain one talent of their choice from either the Wrestling sphere or the Gladiator sphere.

Pursuer

Bounty hunters, trackers, and ruthless assassins alike, a pursuer is a malicious and cruel combatant, harrying their foes with bleeding cuts and carefully placed strikes.

Bonus Talents:

• Duelist Sphere
• Scout Sphere
• Variable: A pursuer gains one (discipline) talent of their choice from the Equipment sphere.
• Variable: A pursuer gains a talent of their choice from the Duelist or Scout sphere.

Retiarius

This specialized gladiator style typically combines net in order to disable foes before dispatching them with a single stab. While it was born in the arena, the tradition proves effective on the battlefield.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Gladiator Training, Net Master
• Gladiator sphere
• Variable: Individuals trained in the Retiarius tradition gain either the Duelist sphere or the Lancer sphere.

Rogue Gunner

Aware of the dangers of living on the streets, rogue gunners travel quick, fire fast, and leave anyone who would challenge them in a pool of blood.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Firearm Proficiency, Expert Reloading
• Scoundrel sphere
• Variable: Individuals trained in the Rogue Gunner gain either the Athletics sphere or a Scoundrel talent of their choice.

Ruin Delver

Ruin delving requires quick wits and even quicker reflexes. With a backpack full of gear and a half-baked plan, ruin delvers live by the seat of their pants as they explore the leavings of past civilizations looking for what knowledge and artifacts they can recover.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Toolkit Training
• Athletics sphere (Climb) package, Rope Swing
• Variable: Ruin delvers gain a talent of their choice from the Equipment sphere.

Sergeant

Trained in leading a group of men into battle, sergeants are adept at commanding their men to act as a unit.

Bonus Talents

• Leadership sphere (squad leader drawback), (cohort) package, Squad
• Warleader sphere
• Variable: Sergeants gain two talents from the Equipment sphere.

Shield Master

Shield masters are expert defenders, relying on their shields to defend both themselves and their allies. While some shield masters couple their shields with traditional weapons, others focus so exclusively on their shields that they become as much a weapon as a tool of defense, instead relying on brute force to knock their enemies around the battlefield and keep their allies out of danger.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Shield Training
• Shield sphere
• Variable: Shield masters gain either the Brute sphere or a talent of their choice from the Equipment sphere.
• Variable: Shield masters gain a talent of their choice from the Shield sphere.

Staff Master

Whether they are magicians using magic staves as bludgeons or spearmen of exquisite skill, for some all that’s needed is speed and a stick to overcome most foes.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Finesse Fighting, Spear Dancer, Staff Mastery, Unarmored Training

Steppe Rider

Training on the harsh steppes breeds talented warriors. Whether fierce raiders or guarded nomads, steppe riders are trained in horseback archery, relying on precision and mobility in place of bulky armor or heavy melee weapons.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Outrider Training, Shortbow Mastery
• Beastmastery sphere (ride) package
• Variable: Steppe riders gain either the Barrage sphere or the Sniper sphere.

Stone Thrower

Masters of the humble sling learn that versatility is key to survival, and a skilled stone thrower quickly learns to use their slings in almost any situation, making them deadly at any range.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Halfling Heritage, Sling Combatant
• Barrage sphere
• Variable: Stone throwers gain a talent of their choice from the Barrage sphere.

Street Fighter

Street fighters learn combat in fights with no rules; where fakeouts and a handful of sand are all that stand between winning and losing.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Unarmed Training
• Brute sphere
• Scoundrel sphere
• Variable: Street fighters gain a talent of their choice from either the Brute sphere or the Scoundrel sphere.

Tattooed Warrior

Tattooed warriors turn their bodies into weapons through the use of magic symbols engraved onto their very flesh.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Unarmed Training, Unarmored Training
• Bonus Feats: Dragon’s Tattoos, Zodiac Tattoos
• Special: Tattooed warriors gain 1 bonus skill point that must be spent on Craft (tattoos) each time they gain a level in any class.

Thief

Thieves avoid fair fights whenever possible. Their favorite tactic is to take their opponents unaware, but barring that, a dirty trick or a well-placed feint will let them end the fight quickly.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Rogue Weapon Training
• Scoundrel sphere
• Fencing sphere
• Variable: Thieves gain either an Equipment talent of their choice, or a talent from the Scoundrel or Fencing spheres.

Tempest Dancer

Wielding double-bladed weapons that others find impossible to master, tempest dancers are known for their ability to carve through through enemy ranks, their fluid movements beguiling even the most observant opponents.
Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Double Weapon Training
• Dual Wielding sphere
• Variable: Tempest dancers gain either the Armor Training, Unarmored Training, or Finesse Fighting from the Equipment sphere.
• Variable: Tempest Dancers gain a talent of their choice from the Dual Wielding sphere

Wandering Martial Artist

Wandering martial artists, also known as youxia, are passionate warriors living on the fringes of society. They exhibit masterful control over their bodies, using diverse combat styles to defeat their foes and leave their mark on the world.
Bonus Talents

• Equipment: Force Redirection Technique, Unarmored Training
• Variable: Wandering martial artists gain either one (discipline) talent of their choice or the Improved Unarmed Strike feat as a bonus feat.
• Variable: Wandering martial artists gain either the Athletics sphere or the Gladiator sphere.

Warden

The path of the warden is one of a stalwart protector, often employed as bodyguards or garrisoned soldiers. These warriors know that defense is the best offense, especially when you have friends to outflank your foes.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Armor Training, Shield Training
• Guardian sphere
• Shield sphere

Weapon Master

Most warriors learn the art of combat in pursuit of a goal, such as serving in the army or to protect themselves while traveling. For the weapon master, mastery of combat is its own reward, and many will seek out exotic weapons and obscure disciplines simply for the joy of having learned them.

Bonus Talents:

• Equipment: Weapon masters gain two discipline talents of their choice as bonus talents.
• Dual Wielding sphere
• Variable: Weapon masters gain a talent of their choice from the Dual Wielding sphere.

---

Sphere-Specific Drawbacks

Sphere-specific drawbacks must be chosen when a practitioner first gains the associated sphere, and grant the practitioner an extra combat talent in the prerequisite sphere. Drawbacks may be removed in place of gaining a new talent through your class progression or by taking the Extra Combat Talent feat.

Wiki Note: If a Base Sphere grants an additional talent (such as via a package selection or drawback) the additional talents do not count as talents spent for abilities that count the number of talents spent in a sphere. (This most often applies to gaining skill points or improving unarmed damage.)

Utility Starts

The [utility start] tag is described in Spheres of Guile. It is only possible to take advantage of a combat sphere as a [utility] talent if your game includes a way to gain combat talents restricted to those with the [utility] tag, such as using one of the variants in Chapter 1.

Piecemeal Utility Starts: If you have a progression or optional replacement that grants a [utility] combat talent or a [utility] magic talent, you can use it to gain a base sphere if you apply a drawback or combination of drawbacks that removes all of that base sphere’s benefits other than skill ranks and [utility] talents (and actions necessary to use such talents).

Each sphere’s drawbacks are on their own page: see Martial Sphere-Specific Drawbacks.