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larsdangly · 11-27-2019, 09:01 AM

Returning to one of the page-1 topics that launched this thread, I have been giving some thought to the question of the 'high DX' fighter avoiding injury without armor, following RAW.

I don't think it is a reasonable expectation that just anyone can engage unarmored with a competent foe and avoid injury while still attacking with some good chance of success. If that were possible, DX would truly be the 'god' stat. So, the more interesting question is whether RAW can be used to construct a high DX and highly skilled swashbuckler sort of character who can leap about in combat with little chance of being hit by normal foes.

Several approaches are possible, but here is one I find plausible:
ST 10 DX 17 IQ 13
Sword, Shield, Running, Acrobatics, Shield Expertise, Fencing, Fencing Mastery [Two weapons for free]
Saber (2d, 3d+2 on a shrewd thrust), Small shield (-2 damage, -4 to hit total)

This fencer can deliver 1 exceptionally dangerous attack per turn with a high chance of success, so he or she is not just a defensive specialist, and gets to do this early in the action order vs. anyone other than a charging pole weapon attack.

And a wide range of defensive approaches are possible:
- Avoid engagement using high Move score (and acrobatics when terrain is in play), particularly vs. pole weapon charges.
- Disengage at adj. DX 17 when that seems prudent
- Defend, making foes roll 6d at adjDX -4. Almost no one has a remotely significant chance of making this attack roll
- Attack only in tactically advantageous situations - like when you get to go first against a single engaged foe who lacks heavy protection (meaning they have little chance of getting to take a shot at you).

This character isn't invincible. A high DX, highly skilled and fast pole weapon user could deliver a coup de grace. As could a high DX archer or wizard. But in melee combat with like-armed humanoids he or she would only face modest chances of being struck on the rare occasion of a missed attack roll, low damage roll, or facing off with an even higher DX foe (fair enough - you don't get to be immune to people who are better than you!).

11-27-2019, 09:01 AM	#39
larsdangly Join Date: Dec 2017	Re: Some questions about Melee/Wizard Returning to one of the page-1 topics that launched this thread, I have been giving some thought to the question of the 'high DX' fighter avoiding injury without armor, following RAW. I don't think it is a reasonable expectation that just anyone can engage unarmored with a competent foe and avoid injury while still attacking with some good chance of success. If that were possible, DX would truly be the 'god' stat. So, the more interesting question is whether RAW can be used to construct a high DX and highly skilled swashbuckler sort of character who can leap about in combat with little chance of being hit by normal foes. Several approaches are possible, but here is one I find plausible: ST 10 DX 17 IQ 13 Sword, Shield, Running, Acrobatics, Shield Expertise, Fencing, Fencing Mastery [Two weapons for free] Saber (2d, 3d+2 on a shrewd thrust), Small shield (-2 damage, -4 to hit total) This fencer can deliver 1 exceptionally dangerous attack per turn with a high chance of success, so he or she is not just a defensive specialist, and gets to do this early in the action order vs. anyone other than a charging pole weapon attack. And a wide range of defensive approaches are possible: - Avoid engagement using high Move score (and acrobatics when terrain is in play), particularly vs. pole weapon charges. - Disengage at adj. DX 17 when that seems prudent - Defend, making foes roll 6d at adjDX -4. Almost no one has a remotely significant chance of making this attack roll - Attack only in tactically advantageous situations - like when you get to go first against a single engaged foe who lacks heavy protection (meaning they have little chance of getting to take a shot at you). This character isn't invincible. A high DX, highly skilled and fast pole weapon user could deliver a coup de grace. As could a high DX archer or wizard. But in melee combat with like-armed humanoids he or she would only face modest chances of being struck on the rare occasion of a missed attack roll, low damage roll, or facing off with an even higher DX foe (fair enough - you don't get to be immune to people who are better than you!).