Close Combat is to far to reach!

[Mr_Sandman]

I have two questions:

Wouldn't it make sense for Red to retreat from Blue's attack, taking them out of close combat for the beginning of Red's turn, then use his step after his attack to put a hex between them?

Also, where are the rules for "slipping in" on a defense?

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by Mr_Sandman

I have two questions:

Wouldn't it make sense for Red to retreat from Blue's attack, taking them out of close combat for the beginning of Red's turn, then use his step after his attack to put a hex between them?

Yes, it pays for weapon boy to always be at Reach 1 or Reach 2. Reach 2 is nice because he can step into reach 1, or even do Committed (Long) and strike from there.

Also, where are the rules for "slipping in" on a defense?

Martial Arts.

[Captain Joy]

Originally Posted by malloyd

When does he declare this Wait? It can't be the turn he stepped into close combat, that's his action for that turn. If blue's turn happens when they are already in close combat, then sure, he can Wait until red steps out, interrupt red's action and step in, keeping him at C. But it's risky, if Red does something else on his turn, say tries an attack permitted in close combat, blue's Wait never triggers and he's forfeited his turn! When his next turn comes around admittedly he is still at C, but if he wants to continue to ensure that he needs to Wait again....

Kromm posted about the Wait Maneuver in this thread on Alternating the Initiative Order

Originally Posted by Kromm

Yes, but you are allowed to name broad triggers and broad reactions as long as they aren't vague (not the same as broad) and provided that your maneuver is declared. A perfectly legal Wait would be "I wait until after my pal Jim-Bob acts, and then take an Attack maneuver against whomever Jim-Bob attacked, or my nearest foe otherwise." Complex? Sure, but it's legal. The trigger and action are specified, and most important, the maneuver is declared.

Given that, I would claim that blue could say "When red steps away from me, or upon the end of his turn otherwise, I attack him with an Attack Maneuver."

[trooper6]

Note about close combat:

I was in an arena game for a while and this is what I learned about close combat--it is hard to force people to stay in close combat if they don't want to. Grappling from behind is a good way however.

Also very good? Having an ally step into close combat from the enemy's rear (but not attack so at not to trigger a retreat) and then you step into close combat from the enemy's front. Now sandwiched between you both the enemy cannot retreat at all and the enemy can't leave close combat without doing an evasion.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by trooper6

Note about close combat:

I was in an arena game for a while and this is what I learned about close combat--it is hard to force people to stay in close combat if they don't want to.

If they are strong enough, yes.
But remember that breaking free is an action.
Unarmed boy tries and grabs sword boy's right arm. Let's suppose he succeeds.

Now sword boy can:
a) attack, but while being in close combat, i.e. with penalties;
b) break free.

b.1) if he doesn't succeed, he's still in close combat and unarmed boy is at an advantage in his next turn,
b.2) if he succeeds, he can step back - but he didn't attack this turn.

Well, that's what I reckon...

[zoncxs]

ok so, we got it like this:

turn 1 : blue steps in AoD (1yd distance)
turn 1 : red steps in and attacks (no distance), blue slips in and defends (CC)

turn 2: waits for before red attacks to attack. (CC)
turn 2: red steps away to attack, wait triggers and blue follows. both attack

they both attack and make it.

now for the defense. can red retreat? since he just stepped and attacked, if he retreats its like he stepped => attacked => stepped again. if so would blue then be able to slip in for his retreat? meaning that even though red got the bonus for the retreat he is still in CC?