[MA] Defensive Attack & Dodge

[Ludo]

That's it: does Defensive Attack give Dodge a bonus? If no, why?

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Ludo

That's it: does Defensive Attack give Dodge a bonus? If no, why?

Defensive Attack is quite specific about what defensive benefits you may choose. None of them is a bonus to dodge.

[Ludo]

Originally Posted by Ulzgoroth

Defensive Attack is quite specific about what defensive benefits you may choose. None of them is a bonus to dodge.

Actually, I do not question what is written, I just wonder why, what are the logics, behind excluding Dodge from getting some advantage.

[lachimba]

Originally Posted by Ludo

Actually, I do not question what is written, I just wonder why, what are the logics, behind excluding Dodge from getting some advantage.

Cause it is about striking with your weapon defensively. How would that help dodging?

[vicky_molokh]

You can build an attack Technique that grants (IIRC) up to +4 Dodge for one second after using it.

[Ludo]

Originally Posted by lachimba

Cause it is about striking with your weapon defensively. How would that help dodging?

That is interpretation. Plus, grappling defensively, or even jabbing with a fist or any weapon could be translated into giving some space for potential dodging.
Additionally, if Defensive Attack is a milded version of AOD, why shouldn't it give a bonus to dodge?

[Peter V. Dell'Orto]

Originally Posted by Ludo

That's it: does Defensive Attack give Dodge a bonus? If no, why?

No, it doesn't.

Reality checking and discussion came down firmly on the idea that you really couldn't dodge more actively just because you attacked a bit more lightly. Plus, game balance wise, Dodge is pretty powerful, so it was a very big bonus to justify, and it didn't seem like "fade away jabs" or what have you really earned enough to explain a +1 to anything except Parry or Block.

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by Toadkiller_Dog

No, it doesn't.

Reality checking and discussion came down firmly on the idea that you really couldn't dodge more actively just because you attacked a bit more lightly. Plus, game balance wise, Dodge is pretty powerful, so it was a very big bonus to justify, and it didn't seem like "fade away jabs" or what have you really earned enough to explain a +1 to anything except Parry or Block.

Ludo, if it helps, while Committed Attack is definitely a milder version of All-Out Attack, don't think of Defensive Attack as a more aggressive version of All-Out Defense, but rather a less-aggressive version of Attack.

It seems (and may be) a semantic difference, but the increase in some defenses that Attack allows might be easier to rationalize than the increase to all defenses that AoD gives.

Plus, of course, what Peter said: it was not found to pass a reality check. There was no small amount of "we went to the dojang last Tuesday and tried out some of the concepts in the MA draft . . . here's my input" in the playtest, is my recollection. I certainly worked on some of the grappling stuff with my comrades and my wife (who trained with me).

[Ludo]

Very good, thanks a lot, I get my answers.
Ah, and Douglas, I'm not sure GURPS forum is the appropriate place to discuss about what wrestling you train with your wife ;-).

[Ludo]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

You can build an attack Technique that grants (IIRC) up to +4 Dodge for one second after using it.

Slap, run.
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