Linear Warfare

In the age before tactics evolved into art, Linear Warfare was born from necessity and desperation—a battle-tested philosophy forged in the blood of countless soldiers who discovered that individual valor meant nothing against a unified wall of musket fire. For centuries, armies marched in rigid formations, their soldiers pressed shoulder-to-shoulder like human ramparts, understanding that a broken line was a dead line and that coordinated volleys from hundreds of unreliable weapons could fell entire cavalry charges in heartbeats. The doctrine demanded an almost religious commitment to discipline; soldiers spent weeks or months traversing treacherous terrain and enduring grueling forced marches to position themselves mere miles from their enemies, where a single misstep in formation could cascade into catastrophic collapse. The cost was measured in rivers of blood and shattered families, yet commanders clung to Linear Warfare because the devastating synchronized fire of massed muskets—inaccurate individually but annihilating collectively—remained the only reliable method of breaking enemy formations. It was a grim calculus where human bodies were merely fuel for a machine that valued cohesion above courage and obedience above innovation. Though eventually superseded by more cunning strategies and advanced weaponry, Linear Warfare's legacy remained etched into military tradition, a haunting reminder of an era when victory required not genius, but the willingness to sacrifice thousands for incremental advantage.

Strength

18, modifier +4

Dexterity

12, modifier +1

Constitution

20, modifier +5

Intelligence

14, modifier +2

Wisdom

16, modifier +3

Charisma

8, modifier -1

Massed Musket Fire

Make three ranged attacks with a musket (1d10+4 piercing damage each).

Cohesive Advance

Move up to half speed while maintaining formation. Allies within 10 ft. gain +2 to attack rolls.

Rallying Cry

Allies within 30 ft. regain 1d8 hit points and gain advantage on their next attack roll.

Desperate Volley

Fire a devastating volley, dealing 4d10 piercing damage in a 30 ft. cone (DC 15 Dex save for half).

Tactical Retreat

Move up to your speed without provoking opportunity attacks. Allies may follow.

Unyielding Formation

When adjacent allies are present, gains +2 AC and advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

Volley Mastery

Once per turn, can make an additional ranged attack when using a volley attack.

strength

+7

dexterity

+4

constitution

+8

wisdom

+6

piercing

slashing