12-15-2017, 08:41 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northeast Kansas
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Dodging While Grappling
So to give context to my last couple questions: my last DFRPG session ended with my character Grappled by the throat at reach 1 by a throttler.
If he drops his maul and punches the throttler in the face (though he lacks the reach for it) I get how the Throttler dodges. But if the 22 Striking ST barbarian punches the throttler in the hand, I don't see how the thing dodges or parries without releasing me. Am I missing something? |
12-15-2017, 08:51 AM | #2 |
GURPS Line Editor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Montréal, Québec
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Re: Dodging While Grappling
Being grappled doesn't mean you're grappling back in turn. If something grabs you and you don't return the favor on your turn, only you suffer bad effects! Something that's using an arm to grapple obviously cannot parry with that arm, and cannot retreat without letting you go, but it can parry with another arm or just twist aside (dodge). To quote the relevant text from p. 41 of Exploits:
Grappling someone doesn't mean that person is grappling you! If your foe wants to do that, he must grapple on his turn.In the situation you described, the fact that your barbarian is strong and good at punching doesn't magically undo the fact that your barbarian is at a gross disadvantage for being the one grappled. (And note that Striking ST doesn't matter at all when grappling . . . you want Lifting ST for that. Barbarians have that option for a reason.)
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12-15-2017, 08:56 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northeast Kansas
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Re: Dodging While Grappling
Right, sorry maybe I was unclear. If it's strangling me with both hands on my neck, and I punch its hand, how does it twist out of the way of that? It seems like an edge case that requires a GM call, I'm just trying to make sure this situation isn't addressed.
Also, yeah, I was aware striking strength doesn't help with Grappling. My hope is to cripple hands which I think 22 Striking ST makes viable. Last edited by Colarmel; 12-15-2017 at 08:59 AM. Reason: Missed something |
12-15-2017, 09:02 AM | #4 | |
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Re: Dodging While Grappling
Quote:
And as an aside, I really wouldn't recommend punching a hand that's on your neck if you have an evil GM. You'll probably end up punching yourself in the throat.
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12-15-2017, 09:05 AM | #5 | |
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northeast Kansas
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Re: Dodging While Grappling
Quote:
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12-15-2017, 09:21 AM | #6 |
GURPS Line Editor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Montréal, Québec
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Re: Dodging While Grappling
At this level of abstraction, a "counter" in a grappling situation is a dodge. If you aren't using a specific limb, weapon, or shield to stop the enemy attack – which would be a block or a parry – you're perforce dodging.
What dodging looks like is . . . anything that isn't a limb, weapon, or shield defense, including leaning back from, sidestepping, ducking, twisting away from, pulling a body part away from, or even leaping over or doing the splits under an attack. Any other use of full-body athletics to make an attack miss is included, too; grappling control falls into this category. The "look" of the dodge is somewhat influenced by what rules are in play: If you retreat, you're voiding; if you stay put and aren't grappling, you're ducking, leaning, or sidestepping; if you use Acrobatic Dodge, you're leaping, doing the splits, or something equally insane; and if you're grappling, you're twisting yourself or your opponent.
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Sean "Dr. Kromm" Punch <kromm@sjgames.com> GURPS Line Editor, Steve Jackson Games My DreamWidth [Just GURPS News] |
12-15-2017, 10:45 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cockeysville, MD
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Re: Dodging While Grappling
I've always said that a "Dodge" is "some form of movement that results in an attack missing it's mark". With close combat, and grappling, this probably includes a lot of jostling each other around.
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12-15-2017, 01:58 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA, Earth, Sol, Milky Way, Infinity.
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Re: Dodging While Grappling
And I can tell you from experience. That jostling aspect is a big part of grappling. Both of you trying to gain an advantage while preventing the other from doing so. Of the three defense options, Dodge is definitely the best one to describe it.
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12-15-2017, 02:24 PM | #9 | |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
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Re: Dodging While Grappling
Quote:
Note that Technical Grappling takes a much less abstract approach to holds and is fairly easy to use with Dungeon Fantasy, but otherwise off-topic here. |
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