A question about weapon proficiencies.

[Rather Useless]

Consider Tristian, for example, who begins with Weapon Proficiency (Scimitar).

Is this functionally the same as the benefit to scimitar use one would receive for taking martial weapons proficiency?

And if so, does that mean that they are mutually exclusive? What I mean is, supposing that I do want him to continue using a scimitar, does that mean there's no point in taking martial weapon proficiency at all then?

[haplok]

In Kingmaker having a proficiency is required to even equip/use a weapon. Picking Martial (or another class that comes with it) would greatly extend your weapon options though.

If you want to specialize in Scimitars, there are other feats for that: Weapon Focus, Improved Critical, for certain classes also Weapon Specialization, Greater and Greater Focus.

[Rather Useless]

Is martial weapons proficiency a prerequisite for weapon specialization?

[Brian Sirith]

Originally posted by Rather Useless:

Is martial weapons proficiency a prerequisite for weapon specialization?

If you want to specialise in a martial weapon, yes. Otherwise no.

By PF rules (may differ in game): Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected weapon, Weapon Focus with selected weapon, fighter level 4th.

[Rather Useless]

Okay. Because my concern is more or less this: Some characters start out with various specialized proficiencies-- Elven, Dwarven, or just the particular Tristian example. I thought the appropriate thing to do to make them better with those weapons was to take the broader proficiency category feat for them, in order to open up the specialization feat options.

But since I only intend to continue having them use the type of weapon which they began with proficiency in, my fear is that it was redundant taking-- using my first example-- the martial weapons proficiency feat, and that I wasted a feat choice.

[Brian Sirith]

Tristian specifically is better used as a healer or caster in general. He cannot wear armour so I took his scimitar away and tucked him safely in the back. The specific specialisation comes from his godess not a feat.

I don't think you need any other feat in general but may be mistaken.

Off topic. Check the list -if there is one- of available weapons. Twice Ive specialized a character in a specific weapon only to find that there were few weapons of that type.

[haplok]

You don't need Martial to specialize in a weapon that you are already Proficient in.
I believe in Kingmaker you do need Martial to pick a Proficiency in one of the Exotic weapons though. But you don't need to do it (and certain races treat certain exotic weapons as martial - for example elves - elven curved blades, dwarves - waraxes).

Unless you do Fighter, Magus or Eldiritch Knight forget about Specialization. Only a few classes get access to that. You can Focus in a weapon type (but that's only a small bonus to hit, plus it unlocks a few feats, some of them pretty good, such as Dazzling Display->Shatter Defenses Chain).
More importantly if you like weapon crits, you'll want Improved Critical in your weapon category.
But that requires Base Attack Bonus of 8, meaning minimum level 8 for martial classes, minimum level 11 for medium BAB progression classes.

[Madscientist]

If you mean "weapon specialisation" when you say specialisation then the answer is no. You need to be a fighter for this feat or a class with the description : Levels in this class stack with fighter class or count as fighter class for gettings feats.
You can give weapon focus and improved critical to any weapon you are profient with.

The martial weapon profiency allows you to use all martial weapons.
Clerics and inquisitors gain only profiencies with some weapons plus the favoured weapon of their god.